Beckett considers the Listed race for Matauri Bay's next outing

Matauri Bay looks for an immediate step up in class after making a strong debut at Leicester earlier this month.

Trained by Ralph Beckett and owned by Valmont, Ballylinch Stud, and Ecurie Des Charmes, the son of Lope De Vega was purchased for 500,000 guineas as a yearling. Out of the Breeders’ Cup-winning Aunt Pearl, Matauri Bay, the 2-1 favourite, showcased his talent by taking the lead and fending off a solid group of rivals under Hector Crouch.

With some ambitious entries lined up for the autumn, including the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, connections may consider stepping him up in class for his next race.

Alex Elliott, racing adviser to part-owner Valmont, commented, “Matauri Bay is a promising colt. He faced some well-regarded horses at Leicester, including George Boughey’s Shah and Sir Michael Stoute’s Nightwalker, who both performed well. Matauri Bay was very professional in his victory, which is reassuring given his price tag. If Ralph and the other partners are satisfied, we might target a stakes race next. His professional demeanour suggests he can handle a higher grade. We’re considering a Listed race for his next outing, but we’ll defer to Ralph’s expertise in managing such a promising colt.”