'He's by far the best I've ridden' - Royal Patronage primed for Vertem Futurity

Royal Patronage: will contest the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images

Jason Hart is hoping to cap a career-best season with a first Group 1 success on Saturday aboard Juddmonte Royal Lodge winner Royal Patronage in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.

The Highclere-owned juvenile, trained by Mark Johnston, is also entered in Saturday's Criterium International at Saint-Cloud but connections on Tuesday decided to target the final Group 1 of the domestic season on Town Moor.

Royal Patronage is 3-3 with Hart aboard, running out a convincing winner of the Acomb Stakes at York in August before registering a Group 2 victory when dramatically denying subsequent Autumn Stakes scorer Coroebus at Newmarket last month.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock

Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data

Already a subscriber?Log in

Jack HaynesReporter

Published on 19 October 2021inNews

Last updated 21:40, 19 October 2021

Copy