Nola Soul to head to Curragh after Royal Ascot breakthrough
Nola Soul, the colt who delivered trainer Fozzy Stack his first Royal Ascot winner in June, is being aimed at next weekend’s Coolmore Stud City Of Troy Tom Cooper Irish EBF Futurity Stakes at the Curragh.
Fresh from a two-race rapid rise through the early season, the Justify-sired juvenile made an encouraging debut at Leopardstown in mid-May before following up with victory in the Chesham Stakes on day one of Royal Ascot. Connections have kept the colt quiet since his Ascot success, preferring to bring him back for a second-half campaign rather than press on immediately.
Measured preparation for a key juvenile target
Stack has reported that the colt has strengthened and filled out in the weeks since Ascot, and that all being well he will take his chance in the Listed Futurity feature at the Curragh. The race, which frequently provides a mid-summer test for promising two-year-olds, represents a natural step for a horse who has already demonstrated speed and adaptability on good ground.
Connections have been mindful of Nola Soul’s scope for further physical development. The colt’s size and continued growth have prompted a patient approach, with the aim of having him arrive at the Curragh in peak condition rather than rushing into a succession of high-profile engagements.
Ascot victory and the wider context
Nola Soul’s success in the Chesham was a milestone for Stack at Royal Ascot and underlined the rapid progress the colt has made since his debut. Two days after that Chesham result, stablemate Thesecretadversary prevailed in the Jersey Stakes, a performance that has since been followed by a Group One success in the Prix Jean Prat, adding to the positive light on the yard’s juvenile crop this season.
That broader form provides useful context for assessing Nola Soul’s prospects. Whilst his stablemate’s later Group One success does not directly alter the Chantilly result, it does speak to the strength of the training operation and the quality of the horses in-hand. For Nola Soul, the Futurity offers an opportunity to test himself against a competitive field of Irish two-year-olds on a course that has become a mid-summer focal point for juvenile racing.
What the Futurity represents
The Coolmore Futurity at the Curragh has a strong record of showcasing juveniles who go on to feature at the highest level. It is a race that can reveal which members of the generation are ready to step up in class and which may benefit from a more gradual route through the season. For a colt such as Nola Soul, already successful over course-and-distance variations and accustomed to a busy early-season schedule, a good run in the Futurity would bolster plans for the autumn and beyond.
Connections will be hoping the extra physical maturity and a carefully judged preparation pay dividends. The decision to freshen the colt since Ascot rather than pressing him on through a succession of targets reflects a long-term plan intended to get the best from his potential across the season.
Next steps
- Final declarations for the Futurity are expected in the days before the race.
- Weather and ground conditions at the Curragh will be watched closely by connections and observers, as they could impact tactics and entries.
- Should Nola Soul perform well, further targets for the autumn will be considered in light of his physical progress and the competitive landscape.
For now, all eyes will be on the Curragh next weekend as the youngster bids to add a Curragh black type performance to his Royal Ascot success and continue the promising start to his juvenile campaign.
