It was a day that Thurloe Ireland will never forget at Royal Ascot last week, with BELLOCCIO landing the Copper Horse Stakes under champion jockey William Buick. Arriving into the race off the back of only one run and one win for the team, in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown, Belloccio was returning to the flat which he had plenty of good back form on. Now with our Irish trainer and champion on both sides of the Irish Sea, Willie Mullins, the six year old was purchased by Thurloe Ireland’s racing manager Philip Hackett alongside Anthony Bromley of Highflyer at Arqana last November. His first run and win was an ultra impressive success but the big field and competitiveness of a Royal Ascot handicap looked a tough yet exciting challenge.

Belloccio had a wide draw in 14 which William Buick had to navigate from and although he was slightly far back when the field organised themselves, he travelled sweetly throughout and showed a fine turn of foot when asked to take up the race. Lmay, under Kieran Shoemark, was the target to aim at out in front and she was really game and brave but Belloccio’s stamina came to the fore late on and he took it up to win going away.

It was an extremely rewarding victory for the Thurloe Ireland team and one that the members will savour for a lifetime. The exciting aspect to Belloccio is that his future looks very promising, with plans centring around the Ebor Handicap at York next. He also has plenty of potential left over hurdles.