International sportsman Wesley Ward heading to Europe in August

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Wesley Ward planned to work 2-year-olds Campanelle and Golden Pal at Keeneland over the weekend for planned stakes engagements in Europe in August.

Campanelle, who won the Group 2 Queen Mary – giving Ward his 11th Royal Ascot winner – is being pointed to the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville on Aug. 23. Ward has won that race twice already with No Nay Never (2013) and Lady Aurelia (2016).

Golden Pal, beaten a neck in the Group 2 Norfolk at Ascot on June 19, is being prepared for the Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe at York on Aug. 24. Golden Pal is still a maiden, but Ward said the allure of the Nunthorpe is that the race is for 2-year-olds and up and 2-year-olds get in with 112 pounds while older horses have to carry 140 pounds.

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Unlike Royal Ascot, where he could not attend the races due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ward said he has been given permission by European racing officials to attend these races.

“I’ve been classified as an international sportsman, so I can travel,” Ward said.