By Tom Frary
Godolphin's annus mirabilis shows no sign of halting, with Wednesday's “Breeders' Day” card at Sandown playing host to one of the operation's more promising juveniles seen out so far. Debuting over a mile on soft ground in the Time Test EBF Novice S., the Charlie Appleby-trained colt Goldspur (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) streaked to a 6 1/2-length success to become the 16th TDN Rising Star by his sire sensation. Out of the G2 Lancashire Oaks and G3 Prix Minerve winner Pomology (Arch), the bay raced in second throughout the early stages under James Doyle behind another newcomer in the Andrew Balding-trained Wolsey (Kitten's Joy). Sent past that rival with under two furlongs remaining, the 2-1 favourite surged clear for an emphatic success, with Tying the Knot (Noble Mission {GB}) two lengths further behind in third. “We were on a fact-finding mission, rather than knowing exactly what he could do,” Doyle admitted. “He didn't begin all that well, but he was quickly into stride. He was very straightforward and he seemed to be a quick learner. We didn't go very quick, as we were mindful of these testing conditions, but I got him on the move around the two there and he stretched really nicely on that ground. His dam stayed very well and was a high-quality mare, so it gave us confidence that he would hit the line today.”
Appleby was thinking about the 10-furlong G3 Godolphin Flying Start Zetland S. at Newmarket Oct. 9 for Goldspur. “I was pleased with that run. He is a horse that has got plenty of stamina in his pedigree there, so he will be a mile-and-a-half horse for next year,” he said. “Going forward, we look at stepping him up to a mile and a quarter and point him at something like the Zetland Stakes, as that will suit him. I'm very pleased that he is a big-margin winner, but soft ground has come into play for him there.”
Goldspur is the fourth foal out of Pomology, who raced for John Gosden and won her first four starts, including the aforementioned Minerve and Lancashire Oaks, before running second on what would be her career finale in the G1 Prix Vermeille of 2014. The stakes-winning second dam Sharp Apple (Diesis {GB}) also produced the listed-winning sprinter Tommy Taylor (Mizzen Mast) and Sassy Little Lila (Artie Schiller) who was runner-up in the GI Just a Game S. and GI American Oaks. From the family of the GI Turf Classic Invitational-winning sire Apple Tree (Fr) and the G3 Prix de Royaumont runner-up American Apples (Fr) (American Post {GB}), Pomology's 2021 filly is by Night of Thunder (Ire).
2nd-Sandown, £10,000, Novice, 9-15, 2yo, 8fT, 1:50.86, sf.
GOLDSPUR (IRE), c, 2, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Pomology (Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at 11-14f, GSW-Eng, GSW & G1SP-Fr, $258,749), by Arch
2nd Dam: Sharp Apple, by Diesis (GB)
3rd Dam: Top Apple (Fr), by Top Ville (Ire)
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $7,456.
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
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