Chesham Stakes
Listed, Ascot 14:30 £125,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 7f, Class 1
Tweet Thursday 18th June 2026

Aix La Chapelle advertised his Royal Ascot credentials with a polished victory in the Sky Bet Club Irish EBF Maiden at the Curragh on June 3, leaving Aidan O’Brien considering a tilt at this for the well-bred youngster.

Named after a German spa town (Aachen) Aix La Chapelle (Justify) delivers on debut ✅ pic.twitter.com/vQOFu4z3KM

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 3, 2026

The race provided an intriguing subplot for Ryan Moore, whose mount selection decisions have been under scrutiny in recent weeks, and on this occasion it was Wayne Lordan who emerged with the winning ride aboard O’Brien’s second string.

Moore partnered the heavily backed favourite Giant Sequoia, sent off at 4-9, but he could manage only third as Aix La Chapelle proved too strong in the closing stages.

The experienced Bull Shark set a searching gallop from the outset, stretching the field and forcing his rivals out of their comfort zones. However, Aix La Chapelle, a son of Justify out of dual Group One winner Immortal Verse, travelled strongly in pursuit before asserting inside the final furlong.

Under a well-judged ride from Lordan, the 4-1 chance pulled clear to score by a length and a half, enhancing his reputation and putting himself firmly in the picture for a Royal Ascot assignment.

O’Brien revealed afterwards that both Aix La Chapelle and Giant Sequoia had originally been introduced with the Chesham Stakes in mind, and the winner's performance did nothing to alter those plans.

“We’re delighted with him. They were horses that we were getting out in case they were Chesham horses,” said O’Brien.

“He’s a sleeper at home, he’s a beautiful horse. He’s relaxed and has a great pedigree, by Justify.

“He could be a Chesham horse now. They went along there and he did well as he was never away. Wayne gave him a lovely ride.”

With a top-class pedigree, a professional attitude and now a Curragh maiden success to his name, Aix La Chapelle looks another exciting juvenile prospect from Ballydoyle and one who could take his chance on a much bigger stage at Royal Ascot later this month.

Sea Venture announced herself as a filly of considerable promise with a striking debut success at Haydock, a performance that immediately propelled Royal Ascot into the thoughts of her connections.

Sea Venture runs out an impressive debut winner of the Oakmere Homes Supporting @macmillancancer @BritishEBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes for @GScottracing pic.twitter.com/YhQZqZDqio

— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) May 22, 2026

The daughter of  Sea The Stars could hardly have made a more impressive introduction in a traditionally informative EBF Fillies’ Maiden over six furlongs, a race whose recent roll of honour includes Group One winner Wild Beauty and last season’s Princess Margaret Stakes heroine Fitzella.

Purchased by Highclere Agency on behalf of Bermuda Racing from Egmont Stud at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale, the youngster has clearly flourished since joining George Scott’s Newmarket yard and rewarded that faith in emphatic fashion.

Although showing signs of inexperience when leaving the stalls and briefly drifting under pressure, Sea Venture quickly found her rhythm and travelled powerfully throughout. When a gap appeared shortly after the two-furlong marker, she accelerated decisively, surging three lengths clear under Danny Tudhope with plenty left in reserve.

The manner of victory was particularly striking given the testing conditions, with the filly displaying both professionalism and a devastating turn of foot to put the race to bed.

Bermuda Racing’s Simon Scupham said: “We knew going into her first start that George thought she would give a very good account of herself. That turned out to be some understatement!

“It is a little bit unusual to have a Sea The Stars filly open her account over 6f so early in her two-year-old career. We are certainly all now ‘seeing the stars’ after that performance… Royal Ascot here we come!”

A sister to winners over seven furlongs and a mile, Sea Venture already shapes as though longer distances will bring further improvement, making her display over six furlongs all the more encouraging.

Bermuda Racing adviser Jake Warren was equally enthusiastic about the performance and the filly’s immediate future.

He said: “So exciting - the more I have watched the race, the more impressive it seems. To pick up like she did on that soft ground and put it to bed so easily was super exciting stuff.

“The Chesham looks and feels like the right place to go next with her, keeps things rolling forward nicely and is the perfect time gap.”

Winning rider Danny Tudhope was also full of praise for the debutante.

“It was a lovely performance, very well behaved first time out and she didn’t put a foot wrong,” he said.

“Surprisingly, she picked up very well in testing conditions today. It was nice to see and I think she is a lovely filly.

“Going forward, this is a minimum trip I’d say. Great performance first run, didn’t put a foot wrong and she’s a very likeable filly.”

Trainer George Scott was delighted to see the filly translate her home work to the racecourse.

He said: “Her work has been very pleasing at home. When they had some rain at Haydock, I knew she would handle the ground well as she's very robust.

“She travelled very sweetly. It was perfect, she didn't get a gap for a little while and she was able to learn. It was a nice performance on debut.

“She won't get a chance to run again before Royal Ascot, and the Chesham looks the obvious next step when you win like that. She's pretty versatile ground-wise, but any rain through the week would help her.”

Like all horses carrying the Bermuda Racing colours, Sea Venture’s name has a special significance. She is named after the famous English vessel wrecked on Bermuda’s reefs in 1609 after being deliberately grounded by Admiral Sir George Somers following hurricane damage, a tale of survival, resilience and new beginnings.

Those qualities may yet prove fitting. On the evidence of this sparkling debut, Sea Venture has already embarked on a journey full of promise and now heads towards Royal Ascot as one of the most exciting juvenile fillies to emerge this spring.

Chesham Stakes
£110,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 7f, Class 1
15 runners
Going: Good to Firm

running order

Chesham Stakes Winners

*run at York