High-class five-year-old could be set for a return to Bahrain.
George Scott has identified possible international targets for his exciting Hardwicke Stakes winner Isle of Jura including a trip to Bahrain, with the five-year-old's return to the track delayed until the second half of the season.
Winner of the Listed Festival Stakes over ten furlongs on his UK reappearance in May 2024, the son of New Approach relished the quick conditions to land a surprise victory in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, defeating Goliath with easy efficiency. With Isle Of Jura ruled out for the remainder of the season, the form received a substantial boost when Goliath ran out a comfortable winner of the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes one month later - in turn, beating subsequent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking.
Respective form-lines put Isle Of Jura firmly near the top of the middle-distance division for the 2025 Flat season, but domestic plans could be put on hold with Scott anticipating his five-year-old may not return until the second half of the season.
"I am really hoping that I can get him ready for the King George, but I might be up against it. I'm hopeful that he will come to hand quicker than I anticipated and we could see him in the UK before the end of the season," he said.
"The primary focus will be to get him back in time for a pattern of international races but all options remain open."
Isle Of Jura is no stranger to international travel, having established an exciting reputation during a successful three-month stint in Bahrain between December 2023 and March 2024. The gelding recorded four victories, including a sweep of the Bahrain 'Triple Crown' for owner Sheikh Nasser – the His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup, the H H Sh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup and the His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup.
The young Newmarket-based handler has been a strong supporter of racing in Bahrain, returning to the country for victory in the 2024 renewal of the domestic Group 1 Al Adiyat Cup with fellow Victorious Racing-owned Phantom Flight in January, part of a treble on the card for Scott and stable jockey Callum Shepherd.
Scott is unsurprisingly keen to return to Bahrain with his middle-distance star, citing the $1,000,000 Bahrain International as a key target for Isle Of Jura.
"It will be the second half of the season for him and I'm thinking he would be a horse for the Bahrain International, the Neom Turf in Saudi Arabia and maybe the Dubai Turf. It is likely to be an international campaign for him."
"I'm very keen to go back to Bahrain for the Bahrain International."
