New Zealand star Jimmy Choux a Royal Ascot possible

Jimmy Choux, one of the best horses to come out of New Zealand for many a long year, could attempt to take on Europe's best in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, writes Elliot Slater.

 

The winner of seven of his 10 career starts (including the last five in a row) seems to be getting better and better, and after landing the New Zealand 2000 Guineas in November has gone on to win five times more, including two at Group 1 level, most recently adding Australia's prestigious Rosehill Guineas to his success in the New Zealand Derby over a mile and-a-half at the start of March. The Ascot betting certainly suggests he could make an impact in the UK.

 

The Australian-bred son of Thorn Park seems equally effective over a mile or up to 12 furlongs and has proved a tremendous money-spinner for trainer John Bary and regular jockey Jonathan Riddell. Following his success at Rosehill the question was put to Bary about the likelihood of a crack at the big guns at Royal Ascot, and the young trainer suggested that if a stud was prepared to buy into Jimmy Choux then it would make the journey a worthwhile exercise with a view to increasing his colt's stallion potential outside of the southern hemisphere.

 

If he doesn't come over to Britain for the Queen Anne Stakes then the alternative for the four-year-old would be to contest one of the showcase events at the Queensland winter carnival staged at a similar time. Thus far Bary's stable star has raced only against his own age group, but apart from the Royal Ascot option where he would be taking on older horses for the first time ins career, there is also the opportunity to contest the Cox Plate later on in the year in Australia.

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