Hardwicke Stakes (G2) hero and Bahrain Triple Crown winner Isle Of Jura is firmly on the road to recovery and will be aimed at a return to Royal Ascot in June.
The 5-year-old son of New Approach was the flag bearer for trainer George Scott last year, winning all five of his starts, but was ruled for the year after his Hardwicke win due to injury. The Victorious Racing-owned gelding is now on track to race this summer and will once more be aimed at Royal Ascot after returning to work at Scott’s Eve Lodge Stables in Newmarket.
“The scans keep coming back positively and he’s out trotting, so we’re really pleased,” said Scott. “We’d love to have him back for Royal Ascot. Whether he gets a run before that remains to be seen.
“He got quite frustrated not training, to the point where he was quite boisterous, so he had a few weeks turned out before coming back. He looks fantastic now, and he’s happier than anyone to be back in work.”
Isle Of Jura’s 16-1 Hardwicke win may have been a shock to punters, but it confirmed the strong belief Scott held in his runner. Under Callum Shepherd, he fended off subsequent King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) winner Goliath , and connections are hoping that Ascot group 1 race can be in their sights this year.
Scott said: “The King George is the race we want him in tip-top shape for, that’s our big summer target. We’ll give him all the time he needs, though, as he’s such a special horse. He’s lightly raced and has plenty of road ahead of him.”
Isle Of Jura’s stellar 2024 kicked off in Bahrain, where he became the first winner of the country’s Triple Crown. Scott has sent a promising five-strong team to Bahrain this year in the hope of even more success.
“Last year was really a dream for us, because His Highness Sheikh Nasser is so passionate about his racing, and for Rocket Rodney and Isle Of Jura to win at his home track was great,” said Scott.
“Isle Of Jura was a freak to do what he did and went on to prove it again at Ascot, which showed everyone that the racing in Bahrain is on a significant upward trajectory. It’s great to be out here again with some nice horses.”
Chief among Scott’s Bahrain team is 2024 Strensall Sakes (G3) runner-up Phantom Flight , who will contest part of the Bahrain Triple Crown, but the final leg could be left to stablemate Touch The Moon.
“Phantom Flight is really our flagship horse out here, he’s been thriving here and runs next Friday,” added Scott.
“He’s got the Crown Prince’s Cup (Jan. 31) and the Sheikh Nasser Cup (Feb. 21) in his sights, but I think the King’s Cup (March 21) over a mile and a half will probably stretch him, so I’m tilting towards Touch The Moon going there instead. He’d have to climb the ladder but he’s really come to life in Bahrain.”
