Many people will know the race as the Racing Post Trophy but we've a new sponsor this year, with the race now run as the VERTEM FUTURITY TROPHY. The race is staged each year at Doncaster racecourse and is for 2 year-olds only.
The Group One race is run over a distance of 1m and is an excellent guide and trial to the following year's Classics, in particular the 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby – backed up in recent years with High Chaparral, Motivator, Authorized and, most-recently, Camelot all winning the Vertem Futurity Trophy before going onto take the Epsom Derby the following season, while the last three winners – Saxon Warrior, Magna Grecia and Kameko – went onto land the 2,000 Guineas the following season.
Jockey Andrea Atzeni has also been having a cracking time in the race in recent years – winning it 4 times in the last 7 years, while trainer Aidan O'Brien has won the race 9 times.
We take a look back at recent winners and highlights the key stats ahead of the 2020 renewal – this year run on Saturday 24th October.
Recent Vertum Futurity Trophy Winners
2019 – Kameko (11/2)
2018 – Magna Grecia (2/1 fav)
2017 – Saxon Warrior (13/8 fav)
2016 – Rivet (11/4)
2015 – Marcel (33/1)
2014 – Elm Park (13/8 fav)
2013 – Kingston Hill (7/2 fav)
2012 – Kingsbarns (15/8 fav)
2011 – Camelot (10/11 fav)
2010 – Casamento (2/1 fav)
2009 – St Nicholas Abbey (13/8 fav)
2008 – Crowded House (7/1)
2007 – Ibn Khaldun (11/4 fav)
2006 – Authorized (25/1)
2005 – Palace Episode (20/1)
2004 – Motivator (6/4 fav)
2003 – American Post (5/6 fav)
2002 – Brian Boru (11/8 fav)
Note: The 2006 renewal was staged at Newbury
Note: The 2019 renewal was staged at Newcastle
Vertum Futurity Betting Trends
16/18 – Winning distance – 1 ¼ lengths or more
16/18 – Had won either 1 or 2 races before
15/18 – Placed favourites
15/18 – Foaled in February or later
15/18 – Finished in the top two last time out
15/18 – Raced within the last 4 weeks
13/18 – Had raced at least twice previously
12/18 – Winning favourites
11/18 – Won their last race
11/18 – Foaled in either Feb or March
11/18 – Ran at either the Curragh (3) or Newmarket (7) last time out
10/18 – Had won over a mile in the past
7/18 – Won by an Irish-based yard
6/18 – Trained by Aidan O'Brien
4/18 – Won by a Montjeu-bred colt
4/18 – Ridden by Andrea Atzeni (won 4 of the last 7)
4/18 – Went onto win the 2,000 Guineas (inc the last 3 winners)
3/18 – Went onto win the Epsom Derby
1/18 – Went onto win the St Leger
Five winners have gone onto win the following season's Epsom Derby
Aidan O'Brien has won the race 9 times – 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2017 & 2018
The average SP in the last 18 runnings is 13/2
RACING AHEAD VERDICT: One Ruler, for Godolphin, looks an exciting colt that won well last time when stepped up to a mile for the first time. He should have a lot more to come, acts well on soft ground should there be any more rain and is at least proven over this 1m trip – William Buick rides. However, the clear form pick, for me, is the Aidan O'Brien runner – WEMBLEY – who can hopefully hit the back of the net for the Ballydoyle yard and give O'Brien an incredible tenth win in this Group One. He's been placed at G1 level the last twice over 7f – most recently a ¾ runner-up in the Dewhurst. But the key is the step up to 1m. He's been looking as if he's crying out for this extra yardage after staying on well in both those recent races. His breeding also suggests his future lies over at least a mile and more likely further, while he's acted well on all ground. Ryan Moore will ride and with O'Brien having a terrific record in this race that's the final plus. Of the rest, Andrew Balding won this race 12 months ago and tries again with a horse called King Vega. He's still a maiden from just two runs but the signs in the betting suggest he's thought to be up to this G1 level and has to be respected too. STATE OF REST (e/w), for trainer Joseph O'Brien, has decent form too and was only a length behind the useful Chindit in the Champagne Stakes last time out here so that track experience will be a plus. Tom Marquand rides and the O'Brien jnr yard are having a good time of it this season when sending their runners over to the UK – he can give his dad's horse most to think about.
