Royal Ascot hero Jimi Hendrix will look to hit the right note once again when he returns to the Berkshire track for the Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile Stakes on Saturday.
Trained by Ralph Beckett, the four-year-old led home a famous one-two for owners Chelsea Thoroughbreds in the Royal Hunt Cup, recording his second handicap success of the season in the hands of Rossa Ryan.
Connections will be hoping Jimi Hendrix’s fondness of the straight mile pays dividends once again as the son of New Bay steps out of handicap company and gets his first taste of Group-level action.
“I think Jimi is probably quite good at Ascot,” said Emma Spencer, managing director and racing manager for the owners.
“He likes it there and was third in the Britannia and then has won the Hunt Cup, so it’s sort of the obvious race for him to step up in.
“He’s sort of out of handicaps now and it made sense to go back to Ascot and it’s well worth a shot. Ascot is one of those horse for courses tracks and we’re looking forward to it.”
Jimi Hendrix is also on course to be Chelsea Thoroughbreds’ first runner in Australia later in the year when he joins Annabel Neasham.
“We’ve sold half of him to go and race in Australia,” continued Spencer.
“He will still run in our colours and we’ve kept half, but he will leave in September time to go and run in some of those valuable races over there.
“He’s going to be trained by Annabel Neasham and it’s a good opportunity to get our colours on show in Australia and dip our toe in the water over there.”
