Connections were delighted with the performance of New Endeavour at Newmarket’s July Festival as he prepares to embark on his Australian adventure.
Trained by Roger Varian, the three-year-old son of New Bay was a winner at Kempton in early June before going on to finish a half-length second to Docklands in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Chanced at Listed level in the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes on the back of that performance, New Endeavour stepped up on his Ascot run to finish a creditable third behind the impressive Nostrum.
New Endeavour was purchased by Australian hall of fame trainer Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for £260,000 prior to his run at the Royal meeting with the intention of switching to Australia later in the year.
But previous owners Teme Valley and Ballylinch Stud were pleased to retain a stake in the gelding, who sported their colours when finishing third on the July Course.
“He ran a smashing race,” said Richard Ryan, racing manager for Teme Valley.
“We retained a slice with our partner Ballylinch having gone through the auction at the London Sale, so we’re still involved and he has slightly surprised us with the level of progression he has maintained so he will do very well in Australia.”
New Endeavour holds entries for both Ascot’s Moet & Chandon International Stakes on July 29 and the Group Two William Hill Celebration Mile at Goodwood (August 29).
However, the decision on whether he will take up any of those engagements and if he will be seen on home soil again appears to rest with Waterhouse and Bott.
“I don’t know how many (runs he will have) and the window is getting closer on closing to be effective for the spring carnivals,” added Ryan.
“There may well be one more day, but that is more so at the remit and the desire of the majority stake owner. More than steering the ship, we’re with the ship now.
“We’re glad we have remained involved, we’re big New Bay fans, and he is clearly going to have a successful stint in Australia with the progression he has shown here.”