Star Filly Blue Bolt Headlines Sun Chariot Field

Last year's winner Fallen Angel (GB) will not return Oct. 3 to Newmarket Racecourse to defend her crown in the Sun Chariot Stakes (G1). The multiple group 1 winner produced a career-best performance in the race last year to beat this year's short-priced favorite Blue Bolt (IRE) by 2 1/4 lengths and was rated the best Sun Chariot winner of the last 20 years bar Inspiral (GB) in 2023. The Karl Burke-trained 5-year-old, who has shown her best form with cut in the ground, has had only two starts this year and finished third in the Matron Stakes (G1) behind Blue Bolt last time out. There will be no Aidan O'Brien-trained runners in the race, with Precise (IRE) and True Love (IRE) also not declared, leaving Blue Bolt to face six rivals in the group 1. Juddmonte's Andrew Balding-trained star filly has won all five starts this season, with her last three at group 1 level. Last time in the Matron Stakes, Blue Bolt was chased home by City of Memphis (IRE), who will bid to turn the tables for trainer Paddy Twomey. Burke is represented in the race with One Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1) runner-up Evolutionist (IRE), while St. Leger Stakes (G1)-winning jockey Saffie Osborne bids for another group 1 victory aboard Calendar Girl (GB). The field is completed by Kon Tiki (GB), Moon Target (GB), and Secret of Life (GB).