Maddy O'Meara was over the moon after Bellum Justum triumphed in the Nashville Derby (G3T) at Kentucky Downs, bringing home a prize of $1,054,310. Although she missed the wedding of a close friend in England on August 31, this thrilling victory served as a sweet consolation. O'Meara, who serves as assistant trainer to Andrew Balding, shared her excitement, noting that jockey Frankie Dettori had to struggle to pull the colt up after the race, indicating he was full of energy and performing excellently.
The following morning, Bellum Justum was in good spirits, watching the backstretch activity attentively and having finished all his feed. This win marked a significant milestone for Balding, being his first victory in the United States and the first in North America since 2017, as well as a personal breakthrough for O'Meara, who had previously not achieved a victory with the horses she accompanied outside of England.
O'Meara, who has dedicated a dozen years to the Thoroughbred industry, predominantly under Balding's guidance at their yard in Kingsclere, England, was instrumental in Bellum Justum's early training. She described the young Sea The Stars colt as a handful but with a great temperament. After maturing, Bellum Justum showcased his potential, catching the attention of those in the industry and aiming for prestigious races like the Epsom Derby (G1).
Having won a prep race in April, Bellum Justum competed in the Epsom Derby but finished seventh. However, recent performances, including a narrow second in the Gordon Stakes (G3) at Goodwood, boosted the team's confidence in heading to Kentucky Downs. O'Meara pointed out that the substantial prize money available in the Nashville Derby was a motivating factor for their decision to race stateside.
The favorable layout and firm turf course at Kentucky Downs also contributed to Bellum Justum's success, and O'Meara found the atmosphere of the venue welcoming and relaxed. Alongside Bellum Justum, two other horses were shipped to the U.S., with plans to celebrate the victory in Nashville before returning to Europe.
Though O'Meara had not yet discussed future plans for Bellum Justum with Balding—who was attending the wedding she missed—she expressed optimism about returning to Kentucky Downs for future races. "If we were to have a horse that fits, we would definitely come back here. The purses are so big," she remarked.