Tag: Charlie Appleby

Romantic Style Downs Ramatuelle in Deauville’s Prix Imprudence

Godolphin's Romantic Style (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) made her seasonal return a successful one and downed 'TDN Rising Star' Ramatuelle (Justify) to become her connections' first winner, in a thrilling renewal, of Deauville's G3 Prix Imprudence.

The 37-10 third favourite, who shed maiden status at Great Yarmouth in September before winning the Listed Bosra Sham S., was positioned second in the far-side group and raced in an overall fifth through halfway in this seven-furlong distaffers' Guineas trial. Looming large out wide with 300 metres remaining, she quickened to the fore entering the final furlong and kept on strongly under stern urging to withstand the late rally of Ramatuelle by a half-length for a career high. Last term's G3 Prix Miesque victrix and long-time leader Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) provided solidity to the form and finished another half-length adrift in third.

“We had a nice race, but she was a bit fresh early,” reflected William Buick. “She's quite speedy, she has a good turn of foot and used it at the finish. It was a good performance and she'll have to go up to a mile now. She's a good filly and, hopefully, she'll keep progressing.”

Charlie Appleby is very much leaning in the direction of Paris and ruled out any temptation to remain at home for Romantic Style's next start. “I don't think she'd see out the mile [of the 1,000 Guineas] at Newmarket, so we thought we'd be better off coming here as it gives her more time between now and the [G1 Poule d'Essai des] Pouliches. She's got natural pace in her pedigree, but she gives herself a chance to stay the mile and that will be the aim. What I loved about today is she did everything the right way around. She travelled and she travelled sensibly in behind horses. When she picked up I felt she was always doing enough to stay in front.”

Christopher Head was far from downcast after the defeat of G1 Prix Morny second Ramatuelle and confirmed next month's G1 1,000 Guineas remains the number one target. “You always have worries when you are not sure if they have trained on from two to three and that was a very positive return. On such [deep] ground you can easily sink after doing too much too early, but she kept finding again at the end. That was most encouraging and, if all is well, we shall stick to the plan and go to Newmarket for the  1,000 [Guineas].”

Tamfana's trainer David Menuisier has yet to commit to a specific target, but it will be a Classic route for the third-place finisher. “That was a very good reintroduction for her. It is not easy to make all like that from the centre of the track. We have now to decide if we go to Newmarket for the Guineas or Longchamp for the French equivalent.”

 

 

Pedigree Notes

Romantic Style is the second foal and black-type scorer out of G3 Prix Miesque winner Sweety Dream (Fr) (Dream Ahead), herself a daughter of G3 Prix Cleopatre third Excellent Girl (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Descendants of Excellent Girl, who is a half-sister to G3 R A Lee S. victor Fastnet Tempest (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), include the stakes-winning Easter (Fr) (Exosphere {Aus}), Listed Criterium de Lyon third Roccia Nera (Fr) (Dream Ahead) and stakes-winning G3 Topkapi Trophy third Peekaboo (Ire) (Toronado {Ire}). The March-foaled chestnut is kin to Listed Brigids Pastures victrix Are We Dreaming (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}), a 2-year-old filly by Earthlight (Ire) and a yearling colt by Space Blues (Ire).

Tuesday, Deauville, France
PRIX IMPRUDENCE-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 4-9, 3yo, f, 7fT, 1:31.95, vhy.
1–ROMANTIC STYLE (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Night Of Thunder (Ire)
1st Dam: Sweety Dream (Fr) (GSW-Fr), by Dream Ahead
2nd Dam: Excellent Girl (GB), by Exceed And Excel (Aus)
3rd Dam: Dame Blanche (Ire), by Be My Guest
1ST GROUP WIN. (€240,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1; 550,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Wansdyke Farms, SH Bloodstock, J Burke & Oghill (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. €40,000. Lifetime Record: SW-Eng, 4-3-0-0, €71,633. *1/2 to Are We Dreaming (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}), SW-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ramatuelle, 126, f, 3, Justify–Raven's Lady (GB), by Raven's Pass. (€100,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Infinity Nine Horses, Ecurie des Monceaux, Hollymount Stud France SC, Chun Wai Kwok, Arthur Hoyeau, Mme Ilse Smits & Clement Tropres; B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (KY); T-Christopher Head. €16,000.
3–Tamfana (Ger), 126, f, 3, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Tres Magnifique (Fr), by Zoffany (Ire). (€20,000 Ylg '22 BBAGS). O-QRL VIII & Friends; B-Gestut Etzean & Hans-Helmut Rodenburg (GER); T-David Menuisier. €12,000.
Margins: HF, HF, 2. Odds: 3.70, 0.90, 3.40.
Also Ran: Great Generation (Ire), Shady Lady (Fr), Abstract (Fr), Alabama Moon (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Dubawi’s Notable Speech A New Rising Star

Godolphin's Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}–Swift Rose {Ire}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) entered the old Easter Stakes at Kempton on Saturday with a two-for-two record and a glowing reputation and exited as TDN Rising Star with a performance that oozed class. Held up last of the quintet early by a confident William Buick, the 4-7 favourite was slipped through the gaps to overwhelm Ralph Beckett's Derby entry Valvano (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) inside the final furlong and surge to a two-length success. The Hannon runner Persica (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) was a further half a length away in third.
“Today was a warm race with a few unexposed types and he gave away weight to all of them, so I'm delighted,” Buick said after the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily British EBF Conditions S., which formerly carried listed status when known as the Easter. “I was very pleased with how he has done physically since the last time I rode him–he has really filled out and I feel like he has grown a bit as well, which is always nice to see from a horse who has had two runs. I couldn't be more happy with him and I tested him a little bit today and he quickened up in a stride.”
Charlie Appleby has entered the son of the G3 UAE Oaks runner-up Swift Rose, who beat the subsequent listed scorer Cuban Tiger (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) in the European Road To The Kentucky Derby Conditions S. here in February, in the 2000 Guineas and Buick was not ruling that out as a valid objective. “I just had to pick a path and he's such a genuine, easy horse to deal with,” he added. “He's got a bright future ahead of him. It's so wet, so it was a nice opportunity for him to come here and run again on this surface. I think he would handle a little bit of cut in the ground, but he's a very fast horse with a low action, so I think he would want a bit of decent ground. He's opened up a few options there, but he's a speedy miler.”
Notable Speech, the 39th TDN Rising Star for Dubawi, is the first foal out of the aforementioned Swift Rose who is a daughter of the ill-fated Listed Prix Ceres winner and G3 Prix du Palais-Royal and G3 Prix de Meautry runner-up Tulips (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). Before her death in 2022, she also produced Dubawi's G3 Burj Nahaar winner Desert Wisdom (GB) and also the GI Natalma S. and G3 Fred Darling S. scorer Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Swift Rose's yearling is a daughter of Pinatubo (Ire). Dubawi's TDN Rising Star tally includes the high-achieving Too Darn Hot (GB), In Italian (GB), Space Blues (Ire) and Zarak (Fr).
6th-Kempton, £30,000, Cond, 4-6, 3yo, c/g, 8f (AWT), 1:40.25, st/sl.
NOTABLE SPEECH (GB), c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
     1st Dam: Swift Rose (Ire) (GSP-UAE, $135,326), by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Tulips (Ire), by Pivotal (GB)
     3rd Dam: Hint Of Spring (GB), by Seeking The Gold
Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $63,378. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby.

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Keeneland Features Ashland Showdown As Spring Meet Opens Friday

Kentucky Senator Henry Clay might be considered one of the premier American politicians pre-Lincoln, but what is not up for debate was his fervent commitment to breeding equine athletes and attending the races.

You cannot actually visit his home–Ashland–because the structure that stands on the Clay Estate just south of downtown Lexington is not original to “The Great Compromiser” and his time. However, interpretations of Clay-related objects enliven the tour.

Ashland in name was imported as a stakes race when Keeneland opened in 1936. Some familiar female runners who graced the winner's circle at the old Keene Farm include Myrtlewood, Bewitch and Doubledogdare, and more recent fillies like Inside Information, Take Charge Lady and a personal favorite of mine, Bushfire.

As Keeneland kicks off racing on Friday, the GI Central Bank Ashland S. boasts a showdown with 3-year-old fillies looking to deposit 100 points into their Kentucky Oaks account.

For starters, the top three finishers from the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies are present, including winner Just F Y I (Justify). The champion 2-year-old filly almost made the races this spring to kick start her 2024, but trainer Bill Mott was forced to wait until Keeneland.

Also Ashland bound is Jody's Pride (American Pharoah), who was second to Just F Y I at Santa Anita, and last month won the Busher S. at Aqueduct. She will be joined by the third-place finisher from the Juvenile Fillies, Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}), who also has not made a start this year for trainer Todd Pletcher. The filly returns to the site of her win in the GI Alcibiades S. last fall.

Impel | Coady Photography

In an effort to put her own stamp on an Oaks run, 'TDN Rising Star' Impel (Quality Road) will look to keep her record unblemished. Under Brad Cox's tutelage, the Juddmonte homebred  broke her maiden at Fair Grounds Jan. 1 and then posted an 8 1/2-length score and a 91-Beyer against optional claimers at Oaklawn Mar. 3.

Finally, Candied's stablemate Leslie's Rose (Into Mischief) justifiably earned her 'TDN Rising Star' when she broke her maiden by 9 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct last fall before returning to finish third in the GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream Park Mar. 2. Halina's Forte (Mitole) will seek to raise her game for Rigney Racing, as she attempts to capitalize on her first black-type win in the Ruthless S. at the 'Big A' Feb. 17.

Keeneland's Friday slate includes the GIII Transylvania S., which draws 12, plus a pair of also-eligibles. The field for the 3-year-old turf route includes Musical Act (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), the first of several overseas arrivals in Kentucky for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby.

With a packed stakes schedule, plus everything from the baby races to lower daily double takeout, these are just some of the storylines on tap at Keeneland. As for past April meet leaders, Jockey Tyler Gaffalione recorded 21 victories to secure his second consecutive spring meet riding title in 2023, while last year conditioner Wesley Ward earned his sixth consecutive training honor and ninth total.

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Rebel’s Romance A Shock Sheema Winner As Auguste Rodin Disappoints

On a day where connections worldwide were treated to the very best racing in the UAE, Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) ran out a shock 28-1 winner of the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan for Charlie Appleby and William Buick.

It was a race of contrasting emotions for two of the powerhouse stables in Europe as Aidan O'Brien's dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), sent off a 5-4 favourite, trailed home in last.

But the day belonged to Rebel's Romance, who was placed prominently by Buick throughout. Appleby revealed after the race that his big-race jockey set out to ride the GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner handily, knowing that there was a lack of pace in the contest, and the plan was pulled off to perfection.

The trainer said, “Rebel's Romance is a Breeders' Cup winner and a four-time Group 1 winner coming into the race and we were a 28-1 shot so that shows you the strength and depth of this race. William said he had a plan and we were confident the right thing to do was go forward on him.”

Appleby added, “I was very confident down the back that William was in the right spot because the fractions just weren't that quick and William knows this track so well. Most importantly I'm delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and to have a winner tonight is a great relief. It was a great ride by William.”

Buick echoed the sentiments of his trainer in his post-race debrief and showered the winner with praise.

“He showed in Qatar what a versatile horse he is,” Buick said. “His best form has usually been when he's held up but in Qatar I tried something new. I was keen today to adopt a similar tactic and I got a lovely slipstream from the leader.

“He's a very good horse on his day and he showed that today. I'm absolutely delighted; he's a great horse and I'm so glad he's back to his best.”

Reflecting on the importance of Godolphin registering a win on the biggest day of the year in Dubai racing, Buick said, “You know His Highness wants to see the best horses come to Dubai and the best horses are here. These races are incredibly hard to win so of course I'm incredibly happy.

“It's great for the team, great for everybody. It's great to be here and it's great to ride a winner. It's an amazing training performance and a great job by the whole team. I'm in the fortunate position to be able to ride these horses.”

Meanwhile, O'Brien was left scratching his head as to why Auguste Rodin failed to fire. The multiple Group 1 winner never managed to land a blow with the master of Ballydoyle labelling the race as a “non-event”.

O'Brien said, “It was a bit of a non-event really. The race just developed into halves so we just want to put a line through the race really. Ryan just said he felt he wasn't happy where he was or anything. They just never activated at all so it was a bit of a non-event. It was just one of them where it didn't happen.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Saturday was a big day in the desert for the Listed Height Of Fashion S. runner-up Minidress (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), as her 4-year-old son Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was only just over a length away from providing her with a Group 1 feature double in the Dubai Turf. Already successful in the G1 Jebel Hatta and G2 Al Rashidiya, that fellow Appleby trainee is adding further gravitas to the dam's burgeoning reputation among the Godolphin broodmare ranks.

Also responsible for the listed-placed Petticoat (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Minidress is a full-sister to the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy winner Volcanic Sky (GB) with their dam being John Greetham's G3 Musidora S. winner and G1 Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks-placed Short Skirt (GB) (Diktat {GB}). Bought by the operation for 1.4million gns at the 2006 Tatts December Mares Sale, she is a daughter of the excellent producer Much Too Risky (GB) (Bustino {GB}) whose four stakes winners are headed by the G2 Prix de Pomone winner and Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Whitewater Affair (GB) (Machiavellian).

Whitewater Affair is herself the dam of the multiple Group 1-winning Victoire Pisa (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}), another from the family to excel on this card having won the Dubai World Cup, as well as the G1 Yasuda Kinen winner Asakusa De'nen (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}). Minidress has a yearling colt by Dubawi (Ire) to come.

 

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
LONGINES DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC-G1, AED6,000,000, Meydan, 3-30, 3yo/up, 12f 11yT, 2:26.72, gd.
1–REBEL'S ROMANCE (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Dubawi (Ire)
                1st Dam: Minidress (GB), by Street Cry (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Short Skirt (GB), by Diktat (GB)
                3rd Dam: Much Too Risky (GB), by Bustino (GB)
O/B-Godolphin; T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick.
$3,480,000. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-UAE at 9 1/2-11f,
MG1SW-Ger, GISW-US, GSW-Eng & Qat, 18-12-0-0,
$7,972,415. *1/2 to Petticoat (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), SP-Ire;
and Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}), SP-Eng, G1SW-UAE,
$730,166. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Shahryar (Jpn), 126, h, 6, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Dubai Majesty,
by Essence Of Dubai. O-Sunday Racing Co. Ltd; B-Northern
Farm (Jpn); T-Hideaki Fujiwara. $1,200,000.
3–Liberty Island (Jpn), 120, f, 4, Duramente (Jpn)–Yankee Rose
(Aus), by All American (Aus). O-Sunday Racing Co Ltd;
B-Northern Farm (JPN); T-Mitsumasa Nakauchida. $600,000.
Margins: 2, 1, NK.
Also Ran: Justin Palace (Jpn), Emily Upjohn (GB), Point Lonsdale (Ire), Junko (GB), Stars On Earth (Jpn), Simca Mille (Ire), Sisfahan (Fr), Spirit Dancer (GB), Auguste Rodin (Ire).
Click for the ERA chart & video.

 

 

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