Blue Bolt landed the first leg of a potentially stunning weekend for connections with Kalpana’s Arc bid to come when extending her unbeaten season to six in the BetMGM Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.

The four-year-old, trained by Andrew Balding, who moved to the top of the trainers’ championship from Aidan O’Brien with this win, posted her fourth Group One success on the bounce following the Falmouth, Prix Rothschild and Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

Sitting in behind front-running Moon Target, Colin Keane eased the Juddmonte-owned filly, a 1-4 shot, into the lead two furlongs from home and pulled two and three-quarter lengths clear of the field, headed home by 25-1 shot Evolutionist.

The £212,000 first-prize nudged Balding ahead of Aidan O’Brien in the title race, while it was a first win in this particular race for both the Kingsclere handler and Juddmonte.

“I don’t know why I was feeling so much pressure this morning as she’s just so good.

“She’s seen it out really well and it was an enjoyable watch, I didn’t really have any nervous moments.

“We were stood in the second spot last year, but she’s come on a lot since then. That race was the beginning of realising what the potential was and she’s done so well this year, we’re really pleased.”

He added: “She’s danced every dance this year and when she came back from her holidays with Juddmonte she was totally different physically. They did a great job over the winter with her and we’re reaping the rewards now.

“Neither Juddmonte or I had won a Sun Chariot, so there we go. It’s very important to win these races and training for such a team is a great opportunity for a trainer so it’s great to repay their faith in you.”

Blue Bolt could now head to America for the Breeders’ Cup, although it is still determined whether she will take on the boys over a mile at Keeneland or stick to her own sex and step up in trip, something Balding would be keen to explore.

“She’s in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but I would think Ascot will come quick enough. The Breeders’ Cup is a possibility with two options there,” continued Balding.

“If she was to stay in training she would have the whole of next year to take on the boys so we will have to see.

“I think going up in trip (in America) would certainly suit her well, but that is not my decision and it’s a conversation we need to have with the Juddmonte team.”

For the winning rider it was his second Sun Chariot success in three years having also landed the Rowley Mile event under Tamfana in 2024.

And there was no hiding his delight after seeing the first of this weekend’s leading ladies deliver.

Keane said: “She’s gone from strength to strength and today she was probably fresher than she has been in the past.

“She did what she has been doing all year and when they start racking up the wins and go unbeaten you are worrying they are going to get beaten at some point and are hoping that day will never come.

“With Juddmonte having never won the race it was special and it was great to get the job done.

“These are the ones you are looking for when you are going round riding all the individuals, a filly like Blue Bolt or a colt like Item. You have to appreciate them when they come along.

“I can’t see any reason why she wouldn’t handle America and you saw how well she handled Leopardstown the last day. America will be a little bit tighter, but the way she races it shouldn’t be a problem.

“At the start of the year Royal Ascot was the target and when she went to Goodwood the first day Andrew said she was only 70 per cent fit and not to be hard on her. She won at Goodwood and improved again at Ascot and since then just hasn’t stopped improving and improving.”

By Racing TV