Dual Group 1 winner Campanelle Becomes First Galloper On Chelmsford City’s Turf Track

Chelmsford City Racecourse has played host to Wesley Ward’s select Royal Ascot team over the last five days, with his five runners granted access to the new turf track, which will be open for racing later in the year.

The Ward team includes the dual Group 1 winner Campanelle, who has played a leading role at the last two Royal Ascot meetings with her victories in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes and G1 Commonwealth Cup. The Stonestreet Stables-owned filly added a glittering footnote to the history of racing at Chelmsford by becoming the first horse to gallop on the turf.

Clerk of the Course Andy Waitt said: “Campanelle did a really nice gallop on the course on Sunday morning with Jamie Spencer. It was stunning to see such wonderful, world-class horses on the track. It was a little nerve-wracking the first time they went up but it all went really well and we were more than pleased with the way the track reacted and the way that they went on it.”

As well as Campanelle, who runs in Saturday’s G1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes, Ward has sent over his hugely exciting Breeders’ Cup-winning sprinter Golden Pal, who heads to the G1 King’s Stand Stakes and was described last week by the trainer as “the best I’ve ever had”. His team is completed by the juveniles Love Reigns and Seismic Spirit, along with the returning Ruthin.

Waitt continued: “Wesley Ward was thrilled when he came on Sunday morning to see the horses work and Jamie said the turf rode very well. All Wesley’s staff were lovely people and we really enjoyed having them here since last Wednesday.”

Chelmsford City, which currently has a Polytrack All-Weather surface, is set to become the first racecourse in Britain to stage floodlit racing on turf.

Waitt added: “We’re looking at trying to get a race on the turf in October under lights. Then we would lay it down for the winter and look at racing on it more full-time next year.”