Horse Profile: Aesterius

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Scouting Report

(Editor's note: Originally published in the 2024 BRISnet Breeders' Cup International Report)

One of two prime contenders for Wathnan Racing, along with Shareholder, Aesterius has a couple of points in common with trainer Archie Watson’s best previous hope in this race. In 2018, Watson had the favorite Soldier’s Call, only to see him fail to break well and wind up sixth. 

Like Soldier’s Call, Aesterius turned a rapid-fire double in September in the Prix d’Arenberg (G3) and Flying Childers (G2). But the parallel isn’t exact; Aesterius didn’t win at Royal Ascot, or attempt the Prix de l’Abbaye (G1) versus elders as Soldier’s Call did. That latter difference could serve Aesterius well, since he’s coming in a bit fresher. 

A $473,000 Goffs UK Breeze Up purchase from the venerable Willie Browne’s Mocklershill operation, Aesterius is by successful sire Mehmas. His son Persian Force was fourth in the 2022 edition of this race, and he’s also responsible for the 2021 Juvenile Fillies Turf runner-up at Del Mar, Malavath. Aesterius is out of a mare by Hallowed Crown, a multiple Australian Group 1-winning son of Street Sense. 

Aesterius justified odds-on favoritism in his May 24 debut score at Bath. Attending the early pace, he shot away with ears pricked.

While Soldier’s Call captured Royal Ascot’s Windsor Castle S., Aesterius aimed higher for the Norfolk (G2) and finished a solid fifth to Shareholder. Juvenile Turf Sprint rivals Arizona Blaze and Whistlejacket were a close third and fourth, respectively. Drawn nearer the stands’ side (as those two were), Aesterius wasn’t in the group where Shareholder pounced triumphant, but he stayed on well late down the straightaway.

The July 5 Dragon S. at Sandown shaped up better for Aesterius, who rebounded as the favorite. He forced the pace on ground that was on the easy side of “good” before stamping his authority. 

Favored again in the Molecomb (G3) at Glorious Goodwood, Aesterius was overturned by the 25-1 Big Mojo. He kept up with the pace, but perhaps not as effortlessly, and appeared a little less sure of himself on a sharper track. Watson noted that this Qatar-sponsored festival was an important one for the Qatari-based owners, so that might well have influenced the spotting. Aesterius still performed well in second, beaten only three-quarters of a length. (Soldier’s Call had been third in the 2018 Molecomb.)

Wathnan’s jockey, James Doyle, believed that he should have been more aggressive with Aesterius in the Molecomb. He made sure to do so in the Prix d’Arenberg at Longchamp, where the odds-on favorite withstood early pace pressure on the rail and drew off in :55.63. As usual, the official “good to soft” in France rides quicker than it sounds. 

Aesterius gained revenge on Big Mojo in the Flying Childers, again making more use of his speed. Big Mojo accosted him, but Aesterius pulled out extra to prevail by a neck. The familiar foes kicked away from up-and-comer Magnum Force, who was favored over them both. 

Aside from tactics, though, Aesterius may have been advantaged by the residual moisture in the ground at Doncaster, conditions that didn’t help Big Mojo or Magnum Force. Both of Aesterius’ losses have come when the course description is “good to firm.” To be fair, there were other variables in play, and he ran well on both occasions, but it could be a way to try to sift through a notoriously contentious field. 

Watson, who will send out Bradsell as Europe’s leading hope in the Turf Sprint, believes that conditions will be just right for Aesterius. He prepared the juvenile for his first turning race by working him counterclockwise at Kempton.