Group 1 winner Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) will not start in the G1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket on Oct. 2, and will instead be pointed at the Oct. 16 QIPCO British Champions Day. Trained by William Jarvis for Emma Banks, the 5-year-old mare won the G1 Nassau S. in late July, but was only seventh in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet on Aug. 22. Jarvis is pointing Lady Bowthorpe to either the one mile G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. or the 10-furlong G1 QIPCO Champion S.
“There's nothing drastically wrong with the mare at all–but we did miss a crucial bit of work with her, and I just felt that she wouldn't do herself justice if she went there a bit undercooked,” trainer William Jarvis told Nick Luck's Daily Podcast. “I don't see any point in lining up in a Group 1 race unless we're ticking every box. Emma Banks is very philosophical and patient and understands the situation.
“We're going to leave her in both the mile race (QEII) and the Champion S. at Ascot. With a bit of luck, that's what we're going to do.”
Lady Bowthorpe narrowly secured the G2 Dahlia S. at Newmarket on May 2 making her first start of the year, and was second to standout miler Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the May 15 G1 Lockinge S. on May 15. She was fourth in the July 9 G1 Falmouth S. to a trio of Group 1-winning 3-year-old fillies, prior to her Nassau score.
“We did give her five days off, and she did benefit from that,” added Jarvis of her French effort. “Obviously it was a below-par effort, and we were desperately disappointed, but nothing came to light. Her action was good, and she looks very healthy still–she looks marvellous, actually.”
Looking farther ahead he added, “No decision has absolutely been made [on her retirement]. We're going to see how she goes on Oct. 16 and probably make a decision then. It doesn't necessarily have to be made straight after that either.
“We'd love to have her in training as a 6-year-old. But having said that, she's got that crucial Group 1 under her belt and owes none of us anything. We've been privileged and very lucky to have a mare as special as her.”
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