Racing Excellence: A Champion's Journey to New York
The Road to Belmont: Venetian Prince's European Triumphs
The Italian Derby winner, Venetian Prince, is making his way to New York for the Grade 2, $500,000 Jockey Club Derby, scheduled for Saturday, November 28, at Belmont Park. Under the guidance of trainer Andrew Balding, this St Mark's Basilica colt initiated his racing career with a victory in his second outing, over seven furlongs on good-to-firm turf at Newmarket in August 2025, concluding a successful two-year-old season.
Early Career Highlights and Key Performances
Venetian Prince began his subsequent campaign with two second-place finishes over a mile on synthetic tracks. He was narrowly defeated by Knowledge in a novice stakes at Southwell in January and secured second place, one and a half lengths behind the eventual Group 3 winner Hidden Force, at Kempton in February, as part of the European Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Following these performances, he transitioned back to turf racing.
Italian Derby Victory: A Defining Moment
After three more starts on turf, Venetian Prince extended his distance and triumphed in the 11-furlong Group 2 Italian Derby, contested right-handed on good-to-soft ground at San Siro in June. Balding remarked on the challenging conditions: "The significant rainfall prior to the race resulted in soft ground, which initially concerned us, but it proved to be advantageous for him. We also equipped him with cheek pieces for the first time, and he demonstrated remarkable resilience, surging forward in the final 50 yards to claim the win."
Challenges and Setbacks: A Test of Resilience
Balding's previous two contenders at Belmont Park both achieved second-place finishes: Blond Me in the 2015 Sands Point (G2) and The Foxes in the 2023 Belmont Derby Invitational (G1). Two weeks after his Italian Derby success, Venetian Prince struggled in the 12-furlong Group 2 King Edward VII at Royal Ascot. Balding explained the poor showing: "He performed below expectations at Ascot due to an injury, which was later diagnosed as lameness, requiring a period of recovery."
Return to Form and Weight Assignment
Venetian Prince made a strong comeback on September 7 at Windsor, finishing second, two and a half lengths behind Maho Bay, in the 10-furlong Group 3 Winter Hill on good ground. He tracked from fourth as Maho Bay led, and despite a strong outside run in the final two furlongs, he couldn't overtake the leader. Balding highlighted the weight difference: "Venetian Prince carried 133 pounds that day, five pounds more than Charlie Appleby's Maho Bay, due to a Group 2 penalty."
Recent Performance and Future Prospects
In his most recent outing on October 25, Venetian Prince secured a four-length third in the 12-furlong Group 2 Premio Del Jockey Club on soft ground at San Siro. Despite a wide run in the stretch, he was unable to catch Stingray, who achieved a third consecutive victory over Group 2 winner Global Health. Balding expressed satisfaction with his recent form: "We're very pleased with his latest performances. Rain would certainly be to his advantage. He's had a mid-season rest and is feeling fresh, so we're optimistic."
A Legacy of Excellence: The Arabian Queen Family
Owner J.C. Smith campaigns Venetian Prince, who is a half-brother to multiple group stakes winner See The Fire, a runner-up in the E.P. Taylor (G1) at Woodbine for Balding and Smith in September. Both horses are progeny of the multiple group stakes-winning Dubawi mare Arabian Queen, renowned for her upset victory over the previously unbeaten Golden Horn in the 2015 Group 1 Juddmonte International. Golden Horn subsequently won that year's Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. "This is a distinguished bloodline," Balding affirmed. "His mother's defeat of Golden Horn in the Juddmonte International speaks volumes about her caliber. Venetian Prince is proving to be quite formidable in his own right, having clinched the Italian Derby."
Family Connections and Promising Lineage
Other half-siblings to Venetian Prince, also campaigned by Balding and Smith, include the multiple group-placed four-year-old colt Royal Playwright, by Lope de Vega, and Forbidden Fire, a two-year-old No Nay Never filly and Listed stakes winner who recently placed third behind Musical Times in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket.
Journey to New York and Jockey Confirmation
Venetian Prince is scheduled to depart for New York on November 18. Jason Watson, who has ridden the colt in his last three starts, will be aboard for the Jockey Club Derby.