Royal Ascot Trial Provides Sioux Nation With Third Winner

Sioux Nation’s smart start at stud continued on Wednesday when newcomer Bakeel (2c Sioux Nation - Volute, by Rock Of Gibraltar) beat two previous winners in the Royal Ascot Two-Year-Old Trial Conditions Stakes.

The Andrew Balding-trained colt raced close to the pace under Jack Mitchell, who asked his mount to quicken approaching the final furlong. Soon in front, the chesnut ran on strongly to score by a length and a quarter, with another three lengths back to the third horse.

“He was pretty professional,” the winning trainer commented after the race. “Physically, he's a big, strong horse, but we felt he'd come on for the experience.”

The 2015 and 2019 winners of the race went on to finish second in the Norfolk Stakes, a race won by Sioux Nation in 2017, and Bakeel may bid to follow in his father’s footsteps, according to Balding. “He's won a Royal Ascot trial, so we could come back for the royal meeting, where we'd stay at five furlongs.”

Bakeel may not be the only one to represent Sioux Nation at the Royal meeting, given the impressive debut victories of Ocean Quest (Sioux Nation) and Brave Nation (Sioux Nation).

Owned by Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah, Bakeel was bought by Sam Sangster as a yearling for €77,000.