By Sean Cronin
Godolphin's Castle Way (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}–Beach Frolic {GB}, by Nayef), successful in two of four juvenile outings last year, went postward for this early Derby trial coming back off an Oct. 19 handicap triumph over course and distance and stepped up to claim a career high in this black-type bow. Positioned second until inching to the front at halfway, he was shaken up passing the quarter-mile marker and maintained a high tempo under continued urging on the climb to the line to win with something in hand. Leading contender Waipiro (Ire) (Australia {GB}) was scratched after jockey Tom Marquand took a nasty kick to the arm on the way to post.
“William [Buick] has always loved this horse, but he was sitting on the fence as to which one he would ride,” explained Charlie Appleby. “Beforehand, I told William to get on with it and to let him use himself and he has given him a lovely ride. He will stay further for sure. I would say [Royal] Ascot [for the G2 King Edward VII] would be next and the only reason I didn't put him in the Derby picture was he went around Epsom last year and got beat there as favourite. Admittedly the ground was soft, but Adam [Kirby] said he hated the track and he is just one of those horses that is a big unit. I feel we have tried and tested once on that track and I don't really want to go back there again. I feel this horse is far better working from Ascot and then going from there.”
Castle Way, who was a 425,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling, is the sixth of eight foals and one of five scorers out of an unraced half-sister to G2 Windsor Forest S. victrix and GI Beverly D. S. placegetter Joviality (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and G1 Criterium International third Bonfire (GB) (Manduro {Ger}). The April-foaled chestnut is a half-brother to MG1SW sire Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a 2-year-old colt by Blue Point (Ire) and a yearling filly by Kingman (GB).
Friday, Newmarket, Britain
NEWMARKET S.-Listed, £50,000, Newmarket, 5-5, 3yo, c/g, 10fT, 2:04.66, gd.
1–CASTLE WAY (GB), 128, c, 3, by Almanzor (Fr)
1st Dam: Beach Frolic (GB), by Nayef
2nd Dam: Night Frolic (GB), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Miss D'Ouilly (Fr), by Bikala (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (425,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Highclere Stud & Floors Farming (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £28,355. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, $70,114. *1/2 to Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), MG1SW-Eng & Fr, $2,408,980.
2–Circle Of Fire (GB), 128, c, 3, Almanzor (Fr)–Fiery Sunset (GB), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-HM The King & HM The Queen Consort; B-The Queen (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £10,750.
3–Victory Dance (Ire), 128, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Dane Street, by Street Cry (Ire). (700,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA). O-Godolphin; B-Airlie Stud & Mrs S Rogers (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £5,380.
Margins: 1 3/4, NK, NK. Odds: 7.00, 6.50, 3.50.
Also Ran: Relentless Voyager (GB), Forca Timao (Ire), Like A Tiger (GB), Salt Bay (Ger). Scratched Waipiro (Ire).
CASTLEWAY and CIRCLE OF FIRE provide #Almanzor with a double in the @NewmarketRace Stakes Listed stamping their Classic potential!
Congratulations to everyone involved @HighclereRacing @godolphin pic.twitter.com/i0k1FdHNg0
— Haras d'Etreham (@Haras_d_Etreham) May 5, 2023
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