Newsells Park Stud to sponsor the Sweet Solera Stakes for the next three years

Newsells Park Stud will sponsor the Sweet Solera Stakes for the next three years, with this year's renewal of the Group 3 taking place on Newmarket's July course on Saturday.

The Hertfordshire-based Newsells Park Stud is among Europe’s leading bloodstock operations and has been owned by Graham Smith-Bernal since 2021. It is home to four stallions, headed by Nathaniel, the sire of the outstanding Enable and Derby winner Desert Crown among nine top-flight winners. The operation also stands Without Parole, A'Ali and Isaac Shelby. 

Newsells Park Stud is also among the leading consignors at the world’s best bloodstock sales and has an exemplary record of breeding top-class racehorses, with Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Waldgeist among the numerous Group 1 winners among its tally. 

The Sweet Solera Stakes was first run in 1973 and commemorates Sweet Solera, a winner of the 1000 Guineas and Oaks in 1961. 

Staged over seven furlongs for two-year-old fillies, the Sweet Solera Stakes has been a Group 3 since 2004 and was won last year by subsequent champion juvenile filly and Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Lake Victoria.

Lake Victoria won the Sweet Solera Stakes in 2024Credit: www.carolinenorris.ie

Smith-Bernal said: "We are truly excited to be sponsoring the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes and to support such an important race at our local track. The Sweet Solera so often throws up future Classic winners and was won last year by Lake Victoria who went on to win the Irish Guineas.

"The race fits hand in glove with our aspiration to continue breeding Classic-winning fillies of the future."

Sophie Able, general manager of Newmarket racecourse, added: "It is fantastic news that Newsells Park Stud will be partnering with Newmarket to support the Sweet Solera Stakes.

"One of the highlights of our Summer Saturdays on the July course, the Sweet Solera Stakes is frequently targeted by high-class juvenile fillies and I think it should prove the perfect fit for such a prestigious bloodstock operation as Newsells Park Stud."

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