European Road: Ghostwriter scripts Royal Lodge victory
Sep 30, 2023
Jeff Smith’s Ghostwriter handled the step up in class and distance in Saturday’s Royal Lodge (G2) at Newmarket to remain undefeated in three starts. The Clive Cox trainee earned 10 points on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, and a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), but connections are already plotting a course to next year’s Epsom Derby (G1).
Dispatched as the 10-3 second choice in his stakes debut, and first try over a mile, Ghostwriter traveled very well just off the pace. Jockey Richard Kingscote had the bay settled right behind 7-4 favorite Capulet, an Aidan O’Brien colt by Justify, who was vying for the lead with Son.
Ghostwriter switched to come around Capulet on the near side wing and soon had him in his grasp. But several others were also playing their hands as the field fanned across the straight Rowley Mile. The biggest danger proved to be Al Musmak, who struck the front while racing further away toward the center of the course. Ghostwriter kept coming though and drove 1 1/4 lengths clear in a final time of 1:37.06 on the good-to-firm turf.
Al Musmak salvaged second by a half-length, good for five points. Capulet (three points) and Macduff (two points) both stayed on up the rising ground to finish a close third and fourth, respectively, and Son checked in a nearby fifth (one point). Next came Defiance, At Vimeiro, Aablan, and Caviar Heights.
Ghostwriter was a good-looking winner in his unveiling in a seven-furlong maiden on Newmarket’s July Course. The son of Invincible Spirit followed up with a front-running score over the same distance at Ascot. If he runs again this season, he could advance to the Oct. 28 Futurity Trophy (G1) at Doncaster.
Bred by Norelands Bloodstock and the Irish National Stud in the Emerald Isle, Ghostwriter inherits stamina from his dam, 2016 Cheshire Oaks runner-up Moorside. She is a Juddmonte-bred daughter of Canadian Horse of the Year Champs Elysees from the immediate family of the brilliant champion Zafonic and Zamindar, both noted sires.
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