Kentucky-bred Nola Soul secured a victory during the Royal Ascot meet on Day 3, taking the Chesham Stakes for 2-year-olds. The bay colt remains undefeated in two lifetime starts. He broke his maiden on debut at Leopardstown in May and is now an earner of $109,364.
Ridden by Seamie Hefferman and trained by Fozzy Stack, Nola Soul defeated an international field and completed the seven-furlong turf affair in 1;28.85 on a good-to-firm course He defeated runner-up On Just Terms, leading a one-two finish for sons of Justify, the Triple Crown-winning stallion who stands at Ashford Stud.
Owned by Craig Bernick and bred in Kentucky by John D. Gunther, Nola Soul was acquired by Glen Hill Farm for $220,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. He was consigned to the Keeneland sale by Glennwood Farm, agent. He is out of the mare Sing Me Home (GB), by Muhaarar (GB).
“It’s a great pleasure that Mr. Bernick had the confidence in me to teach him and direct him,” Heffernan said in Racing Post. “He was an Ascot horse from a while ago and it’s a pleasure to be here. He was waiting for something to come alongside him; he’s a professional. I owe Craig a big thank you. It is lovely to have another winner here.”
Stack said of his first Ascot winner: “He’s a big, powerful galloper and goes fast for a long time, and we’re lucky to have him.