All attention will turn to Windsor this evening at 6:50 p.m. as Castlemont, the full brother of Bay Bridge, makes his much‑anticipated first start wearing the distinctive Godolphin blue for trainer Charlie Appleby.
The event is part of the Join Fitzdares For A Personal Service Maiden Stakes, a race that often showcases promising newcomers and offers a glimpse of future stars. Castlemont, a gelded colt out of the prolific sire New Bay, was bought for 375,000 guineas as a yearling—a price that reflects the strength of his pedigree.
His sibling, Bay Bridge, reached a career peak rating of 122 and capped his own campaign with a memorable victory over the legendary Baaeed in the 2022 Champion Stakes. If Castlemont inherits even a fraction of his brother's class, he could soon join the ranks of top‑level performers. Also featuring on the card is Lava Stream's half‑brother Treble Bass, who will also debut for Appleby under the secondary Godolphin colours. Jockey Ray Dawson will be aboard this Sea The Stars offspring, which, like Castlemont, has been gelded to help focus its racing temperament.
The presence of two Appleby‑trained, gelded colts from such high‑quality bloodlines adds an extra layer of intrigue for punters and racing enthusiasts alike. Among the more experienced runners, Lord d'Or stands out as a form‑setter.
The horse finished a solid second to Wood Ditton winner Portcullis at York in May, demonstrating stamina and consistency over middle distances. Another contender worth watching is the Cool Girl, owned by Amo Racing.
This filly, a product of the esteemed Pinatubo line, was purchased for €100,000 and will be partnered with the in‑form jockey David Egan for trainer Charlie Johnston. Cool Girl's pedigree suggests she could excel over the course's undulating terrain, especially with Egan's tactical acumen. Turning to the afternoon meeting at Vichy, the Listed Prix Frédéric de Lagrange pits Saint Martin against Lady Mara. Saint Martin arrives with three victories from seven starts, all recorded this year.
After two wins at Cagnes‑Sur‑Mer, the Christophe Escuder‑trained colt claimed Listed glory in the Prix Francois, defeating Mirik from the Graffard stable. Lady Mara, representing Graffard, will be ridden by Mickael Barzalona. She comes into the race after a fourth‑place finish in the Group 2 Premio Oaks d'Italia Tattersalls at San Siro, narrowly ahead of Andrew Balding's Prizeland (rated 94), giving her a respectable form line.
In other racing news, former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now chasing Cheltenham Festival success with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. At Ascot, Kalpana bested Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes showdown. Legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours, recognizing his contributions to the sport. Meanwhile, Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑horse Aidan O'Brien contingent for the Epsom Classic Derby, with At The Races analyst Kevin Blake offering his picks for the big day.
Off‑track, former jockey Levi Williams has been sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a pensioner after a violent incident outside a pub. Back at Windsor, the race card continues with Yann Barberot aboard the unbeaten gelding Mazzala.
Mazzala, a son of Frankel, won his debut at Saint‑Cloud and followed up with a second victory at Lyon, showing a blend of speed and staying power that makes him a serious threat under the skilled hands of Maxime Guyon. Another highlight is Sunshine Star, a striking filly owned by the Gosdens and Lady Bamford. She is a half‑sister to Oaks winner Soul Sister and was originally entered in the Ribblesdale Stakes before being withdrawn, a sign of the high expectations placed on her at Clarehaven. After an 8/11 favourite win in a novice at Sandown in April, she was edged out by the talented Felicitas, then ran a close second in the Musidora Stakes.
A recent drop in class saw her dominate at Lingfield in early June, suggesting she may now be ready to take on tougher opposition. Capichera, who secured her first win at Pontefract last month, also appears on the card.
She showed promising form behind So Regal at Newmarket in her season debut and could continue her upward trajectory today. In the opening A1R Services Ltd Nursery Handicap at 5:50 p.m., former winners Arabica Queen and Theheatison are among the key contenders, having already tasted success in recent outings. El Lambo, who struggled on soft ground at Epsom's Oaks day, should benefit from the firmer surface expected at Windsor.
Later, the Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap at 7:20 p.m. will feature eight‑time course scorer Lequinto, who is set to carry an additional five pounds after a recent improvement in form.
Amazonian Dream, another sprinter who has been knocking on the door of a win, may finally break through now that the handicapper has not penalised him for consecutive runner‑up finishes. Overall, the Windsor meeting offers a blend of promising debuts, seasoned performers, and intriguing form lines that should keep both bettors and racing fans engaged throughout the day. Whether Castlemont can emulate his brother Bay Bridge's success, or whether the seasoned veterans like Lord d'Or and Cool Girl will dominate, the race card promises plenty of excitement and potential for memorable performances.
Stay tuned for live updates, expert analysis, and post‑race interviews as the action unfolds on the Windsor track.