Royal Patronage to continue career in US after Belmont swansong for Johnstons

Royal Patronage is set to have his final race for Charlie and Mark Johnston in next month's Belmont Derby before switching to trainer Graham Motion to continue his racing career in America.

The suitability of the fast ground and style of American racing is behind the decision to relocate the Wootton Bassett colt, whose Royal Lodge win at Newmarket makes him the only horse to have beaten Qipco 2,000 Guineas hero Coroebus in his five starts.

Royal Patronage, last seen in action finishing tailed off in the Cazoo Derby, will break new ground for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing as he will become the highest-rated horse the syndicate has sent Stateside.

He is scheduled to make the journey at the start of next month in preparation for the $1 million Belmont Derby on July 9, for which he has received an invitation.

Highclere's managing director Harry Herbert said: "There are some exciting options for him there and the share owners were very keen and 100 per cent behind it.

"While I feel for Mark and Charlie as he's a nice horse, I had a long chat with Mark and he was very understanding of the reasons and sometimes you have to do these things to give the horse and share owners the best chance of big-race glory.

"He'll run under Charlie's name in the Belmont Derby, as you can't have joint names in America, and then revert to Graham Motion."

Royal Patronage won the Acomb Stakes at York's Ebor Festival last yearCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Royal Patronage has also shown a high level of form at York, winning last year's Acomb and finishing second to subsequent Derby winner Desert Crown in this season's Dante, and Herbert believes he has the best chance of fulfilling his potential in America.

"He's a horse who loves good or faster ground and is not short of tactical speed, probably more mile and a quarter than mile and a half," he said.

"He's got really good form and we just felt it might give him the best chance of earning very big prize-money and running in Group 1 turf races in the States versus here where you might get soft ground."

Royal Patronage will look to bounce back from his Epsom no-show in the 1m2f Belmont Derby, a race Ballydoyle's Bolshoi Ballet won last year having disappointed in the Derby.

"The Derby was a disaster, he just doesn't go on that easier ground," said Herbert. "Whether that was the sole reason, I don't know, but he ran no race at all and Jason [Hart] said he was never going at any stage.

"We've got Joel Rosario to ride him and Graham needs no introduction as he is a fabulous trainer. He's running in a million dollar race after we sorted out the invitation during Royal Ascot and we'll throw our hat in the ring.

"He's the first of our horses at this level to go out there and stay there and it's a great adventure for everyone," added Herbert.

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