Charlie Appleby

It's a childish game but I've long amused myself by seeing how many song titles can be weaved into headlines and this weekend's results provided an open goal for a Neil Young classic, not once but twice.  Two hurricanes blew across Town Moor on Saturday at the opposite ends of the distance spectrum. Hurricane Ivor (Ire) (Ivawood {GB}) is an admirable sprinter who has bounced back from a blistering debut for Fabrice Chappet and subsequent illness that ruled him out of much of his juvenile season. He has been creeping...

Putting the seal on a stellar weekend for Godolphin's Charlie Appleby stable, Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) brushed aside TDN Rising Star Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) for an emphatic 3 1/2-length success in Sunday's G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. at The Curragh. Like the operation's past winners Dubawi (Ire) and his son Quorto (Ire) coming off a win in the G2 Superlative S. at Newmarket July 10, the 7-2 second favourite was notably green throughout with William Buick needing to cajole him into action as early as...

Considered by some an antiquity against racing's commercial backdrop, Doncaster's G1 Cazoo St Leger is nevertheless kept close to the hearts of all enthusiasts and in Godolphin's Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) it had a winner on Saturday that stands tall among some of its very best. Having scythed through the tasks of the G1 Irish Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Paris earlier this summer, the powerhouse chestnut looked to have outstanding claims for this and he duly delivered as the G1 Epsom Derby form came to the fore....

A minor setback has ruled G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) out of the G2 Prix Niel on Sept. 12, trainer Charlie Appleby announced. The Godolphin colourbearer will instead head straight to the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 3. The trainer told www.godolphin.com: "Adayar missed a couple of days, and after discussions, we felt there was no need to press on to a trial [for the Arc]. So, the decision was made to...

Godolphin's homebred 2-year-old filly Silk Romance (Ire) (Shamardal) encountered the racewise Tinderbox (GB) (Farhh {GB}), another Godolphin representative, when an Aug. 11 debut second tackling seven furlongs at Kempton in her only prior start and went postward with the weight of odds-on favouritism for Friday's MansionBet Proud To Support British Racing Fillies' Novice S. returning over the same trip at on turf bow at Newmarket. Positioned on the front end after an alert getaway, the 4-6 pick was shaken up to claim a decisive advantage approaching the final furlong and...

Classic winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who won the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Paris already this summer, will line up for Godolphin in the G1 Cazoo St Leger on Sept. 11, one of 18 colts and fillies left in the fall Classic. G1 Cazoo Derby hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who also races for Godolphin, will not take part, and instead target the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Richard Hannon's Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), one better than...

Godolphin's Saturday at York had started in ideal fashion and got better as TDN Rising Star Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) came back to near his peak over his favoured trip in the seven-furlong G2 Sky Bet City of York S. Last year's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero had needed his European return when fourth in Goodwood's G2 Lennox S. July 27 and was kept away from the frantic speed duel up ahead anchored towards the rear by William Buick. Making smooth progress wide to take control passing the...

Further evidence that Charlie Appleby holds all the aces in the 3-year-old middle-distance colt department was in plain view on Wednesday as Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) had his turn on the Moulton Paddocks carrousel of success in York's G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur S. Backed into 6-1 before the off, the July 8 G3 Bahrain Trophy winner who was last seen finishing sixth in the G3 Gordon S. over this 12-furlong trip at Goodwood July 29 was dropped out in rear early by James Doyle as Ballydoyle's outsider The Mediterranean...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today's Observations features a sibling to a talented stayer. 17.35 Wolverhampton, Nov, £10,050, 2yo, 7f 36y (AWT) Godolphin's AL JADDAF (GB) (Shamardal), representing the Charlie Appleby team, is a half-brother to G3 Sagaro S. and G3 Henry II S. victor Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who placed six...

   Still an unknown quantity on turf, Godolphin's Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) takes the next step up the ladder in Saturday's G3 Rose of Lancaster S. at Haydock. Coming off an impressive success in Royal Ascot's Royal Hunt Cup June 16 to annexe the Listed Steventon S. over this 10-furlong trip at Newbury July 17, the 4-year-old is the kingpin of the Saeed bin Suroor stable and he said, "He has come back well from Newbury and he's an improving horse. He's been working well and we're happy...

Newmarket's seven-furlong Rich Club With Rich Energy British EBF Newcomers Maiden S. witnessed the perfect start for Godolphin's 2.1 million guineas Book 1 purchase Hafit (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), as he justified 10-11 favouritism on Friday. The grandson of the stellar miler Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}) was in front soon after the start before being headed at halfway. Gathered together by William Buick running down into the 'dip', the Charlie Appleby-trained bay regained the advantage with a furlong remaining before holding Razzle Dazzle (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) by half a length as...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today's Observations features a seven-figure grandson of champion Attraction. 5.05 Newmarket, Nov, £9,000, 2yo, f, 6fT Floors Stud's JOKING (GB) (Time Test {GB}) is a Hugo Palmer-trained half-sister to MG1SW Hong Kong Horse of the Year Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}) and GI Diana S. and GI Flower Bowl...