Matron looking the ‘obvious’ next stop for prolific Blue Bolt

A trip to Ireland looks in store for Blue Bolt after she kept her phenomenal winning run going in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville.

Andrew Balding’s four-year-old has proven unstoppable this term, winning all four outings and adding a second Group One victory to her CV when gamely seeing off Aidan O’Brien’s Precise for the second race running.

Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte, said: “To be fair to her she’s obviously improved from three to four and that was her fourth straight win which is great and she did it well.

“The margin was a little bit tighter than the last day, but I think Colin (Keane, jockey) always felt she was comfortable there and said he didn’t have any doubts in the final furlong – while it was an anxious watch, the jockey was fairly relaxed, he’s a cool customer!”

Blue Bolt’s quest for a hat-tick of top-level triumphs will take her to Leopardstown for the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes on September 12, a race her team have always thought would suit the thriving daughter of Blue Point.

Mahon added: “As long as the owners are happy I think we’ll head to Leopardstown for the Matron Stakes and it seems the obvious way to go. They are hard won these Group One races, so while there are still some against her own sex we will head in that direction.

“Leopardstown should suit her as a track and it looks like it could be a nice opportunity for her to add to her tally.”