Michael Appleby

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. Monday's Observations features a half-sister to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Big Evs.   18.00 Wolverhampton, Nov, £6,300, 2yo, f, 7f 36y (AWT) Jaber Abdullah's QUEEN OF THE ROSES (IRE) (Ribchester {Ire}) gets a second chance at making her debut after a change in track conditions forced the...

Friday's G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes has attracted a field of 14, with just one of the 15 overnight contenders, Vadream (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}), dropping out of York's third and final Group 1 contest of the week at Wednesday morning's declaration stage. The straight five-furlong dash will act as an unofficial championship decider between Australian raider Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) and Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), who are one apiece in sprint showdowns this year, with the former annexing Royal Ascot's G1 King Charles III Stakes...

Taking his revenge on his Royal Ascot conqueror Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}--Hana Lina {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) returned to winning ways in Friday's G2 King George Qatar Stakes on Goodwood's fast downhill five-furlong strip over which he had won the 2023 G3 Molecomb Stakes. Third to the Australian runner in last month's G1 King Charles III Stakes, last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint hero was sent off the 13-8 favourite and raced in second early under Tom Marquand with Ponntos...

The RP Racing-Michael Appleby axis annexed last year's edition of Goodwood's G3 Jaeger-Lecoultre Molecomb Stakes, with GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint hero Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), and connections struck again as the maiden Big Mojo (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}--Jm Jackson {Ire}, by No Nay Never) edged a three-way thriller in this year's renewal of the five-furlong dash. The 175,000gns Tattersalls December foal, who posted a debut second going five furlongs at Beverley earlier in the month, raced off the tempo in rear through the early stages. Making a...

UK trainer Mick Appleby, who burst onto the international scene with a win in the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) last year, doubled up on the world stage with a victory in the $2-million G2 Saudi National Bank 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia by Fosnic Racing's ANNAF (IRE) (h, 5, Muhaarar {GB}--Shimah, by Storm Cat). Japan's La La Christine (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) finished second while Byline (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) was third. Last year's winner, Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), was...

The Virgin Bet November H., originally to be run at Doncaster but abandoned due to a waterlogged track, will now be run at Newcastle and has attracted 34 entries headlined by Charlie Appleby trainee SW Local Dynasty (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was gelded since his last run in July, and George Boughey charge Mr Alan (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}). Fresh off his Breeders' Cup success, Michael Appleby enters a pair--In The Breeze (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}) and Sonnerie Power (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr})--and William Haggas, who won this handicap 10 years ago with...

ARCADIA, USA -- Tom Marquand arrived at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning in the company of his wife Hollie Doyle, and while she has been ruled out of riding Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint through a suspension incurred at home, Marquand is relishing his participation aboard Big Evs (Ire). The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint favourite has shot straight to the top of the class among an exciting batch of first-crop runners for the top sprinter Blue Point (Ire). The son appeared to...

RP Racing's Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}--Hana Lina {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) finished among the tailenders in last month's G1 Nunthorpe at York and rebounded in style with a scintillating pillar-to-post triumph in Friday's G2 Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers S. at Doncaster. The Michael Appleby trainee, who had earlier left his stamp on Royal Ascot's Listed Windsor Castle and Glorious Goodwood's G3 Molecomb, hit the ground running as the traps opened and held an immediate advantage before turning the screw with a 10.72 second furlong. Clear of...

RP Racing's Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}--Hana Lina {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) shed maiden status with an impressive win in Royal Ascot's Listed Windsor Castle S. and once again showcased raw speed over the same five-furlong trip to garner Wednesday's G3 Jaeger-Lecoultre Molecomb S. at Goodwood. The Michael Appleby representative was the sharpest of eight into stride and seized an immediate lead racing underneath the stands' side rail. Comfortable on the front end until nudged along passing the quarter-mile marker, the 9-4 joint-favourite was strongly pressed by 'TDN...

Choosing the big stage to provide Darley's first-crop sire Blue Point (Ire) with his first black-type winner, RP Racing's Big Evs (Ire) stormed to an emphatic success in Royal Ascot's Listed Windsor Castle S. which closed Wednesday's card. Alert from the stalls under Jason Hart, the Michael Appleby-trained 20-1 shot who had been second to the re-opposing Hala Emaraaty (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) at Redcar last month was soon in the clear racing towards the stand's side. Powering to the line, the 50,000gns Book 2 purchase issued a three-length beating to...

As statements of intent go, the results for Charlie Appleby's stable over recent weeks speak loudly as to his determination to retain the trainers' championship in 2022. Twenty-three runners have emerged from Moulton Paddocks in the last fortnight, and 13 of them have returned home as winners, most importantly Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), the champion 2-year-old in Europe last year whose triumph return in the G3 Craven S. got the season off on a proper footing. Of that baker's dozen, four were by the trainer's reliable old friend...

David Probert, Michael Appleby, George Rooke and Godolphin all won divisional titles on All-Weather Championships Day at Newcastle. Probert won his first All-Weather Champion Jockey title with 82 victories. Probert said, "It was always a goal for me to have a championship since winning back in 2008 when I was champion apprentice. It's a massive achievement and I have plenty of people to thank for that, and hopefully it rolls into a good grass season." Appleby, who collected his fifth consecutive trainers' title and sixth overall with 52 winners, said...