Steve Ryder previews the Futurity Trophy Stakes, taking a look at the trends, runners, and riders before providing his betting tip for the race.
Futurity Trophy Stakes
The Futurity Trophy is a Group 1 over 6f open to two-year-old colts and fillies. It was established in 1961 and was run as the Racing Post Trophy between 1989 and 2017. It has been run on the straight mile at Doncaster since 2001.
Futurity Trophy Winners, Trends & Stats
Six winners of this race have gone on to win the Derby at Epsom next season. Reference Point (1986), High Chaparral (2001), Motivator (2004), Authorized (2006), Camelot (2011) and most recently Auguste Rodin (2022).
More recently both Magna Grecia (2018) and Kameko (2019) won the 2000 Guineas the following season, Mac Swiney (2020) won the Irish 2000 Guineas and Kingston Hill (2013) won the St Leger.
- 9 of the previous 12 winners had at least one run over a mile
- 9 of the previous 12 winners had previously won a Group race
- 8 of the previous 12 winners won on their previous start
- 7 of the previous 12 winners were favourites
- 4 of the previous 12 winners were trained by Aidan O’Brien
Futurity Trophy Runners Guide
BENVENUTO CELLINI
Well bred son of Frankel who has been an impressive winner of his latest two starts. A 2 ¾ length winner of a Killarney maiden when he beat subsequent Zetland Stakes runner-up Endorsement, he won the Group 2 Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown by five lengths on his next start. He looks the number one contender with Christophe Soumillon on board from the Aidan O’Brien stable who has won this race eleven times in total.
ITEM
Juddmonte colt who is unbeaten in his two career starts. The Andrew Balding trained son of Frankel won by 3 ½ lengths at Kempton on his debut before following up at Bath last time over this 1 mile trip under a penalty when winning by the same distance.
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HAWK MOUNTAIN
Stepped forward from a debut fifth to win his next two starts over a mile. He reversed debut form with Geryon when making all in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last time by 3 ¼ lengths over this distance. He was well supported in the build up to the race but appears stable second string on jockey bookings with Ronan Whelan on board.
OXAGON
John & Thady Gosden trained colt who was an impressive eight length winner of a Sandown novice race in July. He finished 2nd in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes behind subsequent Group 1 winner Puerto Rico before finishing 5th in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes last time. He now steps up in trip to a mile for the first time having run over 7f on his previous four starts.
ACTION
Son of Frankel who made an encouraging debut when 3rd behind two stablemates before winning at Galway on his next start over a mile. He finished a close 3rd in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket last time when displaying a slightly high carriage. Wayne Lordan, who has ridden him on all three of his starts to date, retains the ride.
ROCHFORTBRIDGE
Outsider of the field who defied odds of 28/1 to win on his debut at Ayr. Beaten in group and listed company since, he needs to put in a career best performance given his official rating of 99 for Adrian Keatley and Oisin McSweeney.
Futurity Trophy Trainers To Watch
Aidan O’Brien has won the race seven times in the previous twenty years and eleven times in total. Those with Saratoga Springs (1997), Aristotle (1999), High Chaparral (2011), Brian Boru (2002), St Nicholas Abbey (2009), Camelot (2011), Kingsbarns (2012), Saxon Warrior (2017), Magna Grecia (2018), Luxembourg (2021) and Auguste Rodin (2022). Andrew Balding has won it twice since 2014 but John Gosden is currently 0-11 in the past twenty years.
Midnite
Futurity Trophy Stakes Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Benvenuto Cellini | 4/6 |
| Item | 6/1 |
| Hawk Mountain | 8/1 |
| Oxagon | 8/1 |
| Pierre Bonnard | 10/1 |
| Cape Orator | 12/1 |
| Action | 16/1 |
| Dorset | 40/1 |
| New Zealand | 40/1 |
Futurity Trophy Stakes Betting Tips
Aidan O’Brien has a fantastic record in this race with a record eleven victories and BENVENUTO CELLINI (best priced at 4/6) appears to be the stable number one from his nine current entries. He hits all of the five trends highlighted in the preview above and he bids to emulate Auguste Rodin who won the Group 2 Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown prior to victory in this race.
The form of his victory over Endorsement at Killarney was boosted by the runner-up finishing 2nd behind stablemate Pierre Bonnard in the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket and he should be well suited by this stamina test over a mile. An uncomplicated ride in what could be a small field, Benvenuto Cellini looks the one to beat.
Recommended bet: Benvenuto Cellini 4/6 (1pt win)
