Scott plotting International mission for Isle Of Jura

George Scott is planning an ambitious winter campaign after stable star Isle Of Jura came through his long-awaited Newmarket comeback with flying colours.

The five-year-old had brought up a thrilling five-timer when downing Goliath in the 2024 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot but his progress into the big leagues was stunted by injury and he spent 461 days on the sidelines before reappearing on the Rowley Mile last Friday.

Despite finishing a well-held second behind runaway winner Lion’s Pride, Isle Of Jura’s handler was delighted with what he saw from the son of New Approach, who appeared to retain his thirst for racing.

“We couldn’t have really asked for more from a comeback run having been off the track for so long,” said Scott.

“He’d never really run on a track like Newmarket before and he’s a horse who loves a flat track and coming good off the bend with it nice and slick, so the Rowley Mile was pretty alien to him.

“But I thought he moved into the race like his old self and I think when you see that, it is clear he retains all his enthusiasm moving forwards.”

With the cobwebs now blown away, Scott can begin to look forward to the next stage of Isle Of Jura’s resurgence, which will see him first head back to the familiar territory of Bahrain for the International Trophy on November 14.

Already a four-time winner in the homeland of his owners Shaikh Nasser Al Khalifa and Shaikh Khalid Al Khalifa, another strong showing in Bahrain could signal further international competition, with valuable events in both Saudi Arabia and Dubai on World Cup night on the agenda.

Scott continued: “He’ll go to the Bahrain International and then if we’re dreaming about the future we would love him to be in Saudi for the Neom Turf Cup and then Dubai on World Cup night. That would be amazing.

“We would be taking a fresh horse to some of the best races in the world and you know he loves the ground, you know he loves the way they race, and he would be racing for extremely good prize-money.

“Of course he has been off for a really long time and he’s got to go and prove himself good enough to run in those races, but all being well that is the plan.”

Joining Isle Of Jura on his travels will be stablemate Phantom Flight, who gave his handler a real thrill last Friday evening when making a successful trip to Dundalk to claim the Diamond Stakes.

It was a welcome return to form for the six-year-old, who has the defence of his Crown Prince’s Cup title as his winter assignment.

“Phantom Flight put in a career best on our numbers and loved the track,” added Scott.

“I know we haven’t had him that long, but he’s just a horse we adore really and he’s such a star for us.

“He’ll go back to Bahrain now and defend his Crown Prince’s Cup, but it was really cool to go to Ireland and take on the Irish and win. Growing up I always had so much admiration for the Irish trainers, especially Aidan O’Brien, and to win a Listed race over there was a fun thing to go and do.

“Seamie Heffernan who rode him is such a great guy and another legend of the game and I just really enjoyed the whole part of it and so did Shaikh Nasser.”