Tag: Michael Appleby

Annaf Scrapes Paint for 1351 Turf Sprint Win in Riyadh

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 slow away from the gates and never got involved after a troubled trip.

“It's great going abroad winning these races and it puts us on the international map,” said Appleby. “Huge credit to the team in the yard who work hard all year.”

With Rossa Ryan aboard from a wide post, Annaf found cover early and didn't waste an inch as he edged over to the rail. Staying under the radar, he angled steadily up throughout the running and landed in an advantageous spot, finally slipping through the slimmest of seams to thread the needle on the inside and burst clear late. With a move not for the faint of heart, Annaf finished three-quarters of a length the best with a final time of time of 1:17.88 for the 1351 metres, or approximately 6 3/4 furlongs. The Japanese mare La La Christine closed from the clouds with a spectacular turn of foot, but ran out of ground and secured second as Bahrain's Byline found his best stride late to follow in her wake.

“With Annaf I have always tended to ride for luck. It seems to work for him,” said Ryan. “He lets hard-hitters do the work for him and picks up the pieces.

“The owner and trainer don't put any pressure on me and I know he has pace to get me out of trouble. I didn't have a lot of room but he stuck his head out for me. It's brilliant because I picked this lad up as a spare one day in Lingfield, I had to drop him out and bide my time and the relationship formed from there.”

Ryan rode Annaf for the first time in January, 2023 in a Lingfield handicap and the two embarked on a three-race win skein. They went their separate way for a few months and reunited for a third in the G1 King's Stand S. last June at Royal Ascot. A fourth in a Group 3 at Sandown ensued and the two separated once again before finally reuniting in September. They notched two nose wins, including in the Oct. 7 G3 John Guest Racing Bengough S. at Ascot, and were last seen finishing second on the all-weather at Lingfield Feb. 4.

“Rossa gave him a great ride,” said Appleby. “All down to Rossa, not my training. He keeps improving and keeps surprising us. God knows where we go next. He has got an invite to Japan, so possibly we'll go there next. We always thought he was good horse who'd get better with age and he might not be finished yet. The sky is the limit.”

Pedigree Notes

Haras Du Petit Tellier's Muhaarar (GB), new to the operation for 2024 after standing at Haras des Faune, is the sire of Annaf and 23 other black-type winners. The son of Oasis Dream (GB), himself a multiple Group 1 winner and crack English sprinter, famously sired the exacta in the 2021 G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Also among his dozen group winners is last year's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire). In addition, his Byline (GB) was third in the 1351 Turf Sprint, giving Muhaarar a one-three finish in Saturday's race.

Damsire Storm Cat, leading broodmare sire in the U.S. three times, has 308 stakes winners out of his daughters, including a long list of champions. Interestingly, two of Muhaarar's 12 group winners are out of Storm Cat-line mares, including Paris Peacock (Ire), a group winner in Ireland in 2022 and graded stakes-placed in the U.S. last year.

Annaf is a fourth-generation Shadwell-bred. His dam, one of the top fillies in Ireland in her day, also produced English stakes winner Mushir (GB), who is by Muhaarar's sire, Oasis Dream. Her last reported foal is the sophomore colt Mitwaa (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a winner in Qatar. Shadwell also bred and raced Muhaarar. Fosnic Racing picked up Annaf as an unraced 2-year-old for 16,000gns at the 2021 Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
SAUDI NATIONAL BANK 1351 TURF SPRINT-G2, $2,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-24, NH4yo/up, SH3yo/up, 1351mT, 1:17.88, gd.
1–ANNAF (IRE), 125, h, 5, by Muhaarar (GB)
                1st Dam: Shimah (Hwt. 2yo Filly-Ire, SW & G1SP-Ire,
                                $161,479), by Storm Cat
                2nd Dam: Sayedat Alhadh, by Mr. Prospector
                3rd Dam: Muhbubh, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
(16,000gns HRA '21 TATOCT). O-Fosnic Racing; B-Shadwell
Estate Company, Ltd. (Ire); T-Michael Appleby; J-Rossa Ryan;
$1,200,000. Lifetime Record: GSW & G1SP-Eng, 26-8-3-3,
$1,590,994. *1/2 to Mushir (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), SW-Eng
& SP-UAE, $171,335. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–La La Christine (Jpn), 121, m, 6, Mikki Isle (Jpn)–Super
Madame (Jpn), by Tanino Gimlet (Jpn). (¥18,900,000 Ylg '19
JBBAAUG). O-Fujii Kosan Co., Ltd.; B-; T-T. Saito; J-C. Demuro;
$400,000.
3–Byline (GB), 125, g, 7, Muhaarar (GB)–Lauren Louise (GB), by
Tagula (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (140,000gns Ylg '18
TATOCT; 110,000gns HRA '20 TATOCT). O-Al Adiyat Racing; B- (GB); T-A. Smith; J-G. Mosse; $200,000.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, HF.
Also Ran: Win Greatest (Jpn), Matilda Picotte (Ire), Aguri (Jpn), King Gold (Fr), Raaed (Ire), Jumby (Ire), Bathrat Leon (Jpn), Dr Zempf (GB), Art Power (Ire), Mysterious Night (Ire), Cold Front (GB). Click for the JCSA chart and video.

 

 

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Big Up for Big Evs

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 be made very much in his father's mould as he sped along the turf under Marquand as the sun was coming up, and the jockey was ebullient in his praise of the youngster on his return to the quarantine barn.

Marquand said, “It's my first time here and I've just been trying to take it all in. It's one of the most picturesque tracks in the world. I've always loved Goodwood, but this is a bit different. It's great to be here, especially with a horse like him. He looks in great shape and feels in great shape. He'll have to be fast but he is fast.”

Big Evs is also the first Breeders' Cup starter for his trainer Michael Appleby, who has prepared the colt beautifully for his debut season, in which he broke his maiden when winning the Listed Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot after finishing runner-up on debut at Redcar at the end of May. From Ascot he landed the G3 Molecomb S. at Glorious Goodwood before one disappointing run when down the field against his elders in the G1 Nunthorpe S. However, he bounced back three weeks later to post a decisive victory in the G2 Flying Childers S.

Appleby is set to appear at Santa Anita on Thursday morning, and Marquand's post-breeze report will surely have been music to his ears while he was en route to America.

The jockey added, “You almost want to try to pick a hole in a horse when you ride them, but to be honest you can't really. He looks to have taken the travel well and he's taken it all in his stride. He has a good draw and he'll have to be very good to win, but he is very good. That's the reality. 

“Obviously we've a couple of days to go but he's absolutely where you'd want him to be.”

 

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Blue Point’s Big Evs Blitzes Flying Childers Rivals

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 threats on the front end throughout, the 9-4 favourite was asked to stretch by Tom Marquand with a quarter-mile remaining and enjoyed splendid isolation in the closing stages, hitting the line with a 2 3/4-length buffer back to Flora Of Bermuda (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Rosario (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}), who became upset in the stalls beforehand, was best of the rest and finished 1 3/4 lengths adrift in third.

“After he jumped out of the stalls there wasn't really a doubt,” said Appleby after claiming a career high of his own. “You've got to be up the front on this [soft] ground and once he got three or four lengths on them they weren't going to catch him. It is not the ideal ground for him, but he's got the job done well and he's won a Molecomb and a Flying Childers on soft ground now. We just had to put a line through the Nunthorpe. I think he had an exceptionally hard race at Goodwood and that just took its toll.”    Looking forward to loftier targets, the trainer added, “I think it will be the Breeders' Cup next for the [GI] Juvenile Turf Sprint and he'll go straight there. It's five furlongs at Santa Anita which should be ideal and, if he can get the rail, he could be difficult to peg back. He's been an amazing horse, the owners have turned down some big bids and there'll be more now, but luckily he's not for sale.”

Pedigree Notes

Big Evs, the sixth of eight foals, is one of four scorers thrown by a daughter of G1 Cheveley Park S.-winning European champion Queen's Logic (Ire) (Grand Lodge), herself a half-sister to MG1SW sire Dylan Thomas (Ire) (Danehill) and G1 1000 Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Queen's Logic's leading performer is G2 Lowther S., G2 Diadem S. and G3 Princess Margaret S. victrix Lady Of The Desert (Rahy), who also hit the board in the G1 Cheveley Park S., G1 Haydock Sprint Cup and G1 Prix de l'Abbaye. Lady Of The Desert, in turn, is the dam of G2 Lowther S. winner Queen Kindly (GB) (Frankel {GB}), herself the dam of Lowther runner-up and G3 Firth Of Clyde S. third Queen Me (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The March-foaled bay, whose family also features G1 Derby hero Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Shale (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), is kin to a yearling filly by Ribchester (Ire) and a weanling colt by Earthlight (Ire).

 

 

Friday, Doncaster, Britain
CARLSBERG DANISH PILSNER FLYING CHILDERS S.-G2, £115,000, Doncaster, 9-15, 2yo, 5f 3yT, :59.89, sf.
1–BIG EVS (IRE), 129, c, 2, by Blue Point (Ire)
1st Dam: Hana Lina (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
2nd Dam: Queen's Logic (Ire), by Grand Lodge
3rd Dam: Lagrion, by Diesis (GB)
(50,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-RP Racing Ltd; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Michael Appleby; J-Tom Marquand. £65,217. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, $228,283. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Flora Of Bermuda (Ire), 126, f, 2, Dark Angel (Ire)–Dubai Power (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€65,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1; €52,500 Ylg '22 ARAUG; £340,000 2yo '23 GOUKB). O-Bermuda Racing Ltd; B-Francisco Bernal (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £24,725.
3–Rosario (Ire), 129, g, 2, Harry Angel (Ire)–City Glam (Arg), by Grand Reward. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€36,000 Ylg '22 GOFFEB; 20,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Mrs Sue Teal; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Roger Teal. £12,374.
Margins: 2 3/4, 1 3/4, 1. Odds: 2.25, 5.00, 33.00.
Also Ran: Malc (GB), Kylian (Ire), Graceful Thunder (GB), Fool's Gold (Ire), Francis Meynell (Ire). Scratched: Inquisitively (GB), Toca Madera (Ire), Valiant Force, Zoulu Chief (GB).

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Big Evs Makes All For Molecomb Triumph

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 Rising Star' Purosangue (GB) (Aclaim {Ire}) inside the final furlong and refused to buckle under a late drive to hold that rival by a neck in game fashion. Fellow joint-favourite Kylian (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) ran on well from off the pace to finish 1 1/4 lengths back in third.

“I don't think he really liked the [heavy] ground, but he has toughed it out and done that very well,” said Appleby. “He is as tough as anything and very quick, but that ground just blunted his speed. I think the [G1] Nunthorpe is a realistic target, but a 2-year-old has not won the Nunthorpe since Kingsgate Native [in 2007]. It is a possibility and we will speak even more when we have all calmed down a bit. As soon as we got Big Evs and started working him, we knew he was special and he would be the best we have had so far. Hopefully, he'll give us a first Group 1.”

Winning rider Jason Hart added, “I'd say he has won despite the ground. He's all 2-year-old and, with his good draw, it was the right thing to run him. He travelled grand, but at halfway he started hanging and I had to get him rolling forward to get him to negotiate that. We got racing sooner than I wanted, but I had to do that to keep him straight and he has proved he can dig deep. He is not very big, but he has plenty of speed and a real will to win. I am delighted for Mick [Appleby] and all the team.”

Reflecting on the performance of Purosangue, Andrew Balding commented, “We are just thrilled the horse is back on form. He created a very good impression first time out and we just thought he did things the wrong way round at Newmarket [in the G2 July S.]. That was much more like it and he was beaten by a very good horse. He won on pretty good ground at Haydock, so I think he's quite versatile. He looks like he is made for the [Listed] Roses S. at York.”

Pedigree Notes

Big Evs, the sixth of eight foals, is one of four scorers thrown by a daughter of G1 Cheveley Park S.-winning European champion Queen's Logic (Ire) (Grand Lodge), herself a half-sister to MG1SW sire Dylan Thomas (Ire) (Danehill) and G1 1000 Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Queen's Logic's leading performer is G2 Lowther S., G2 Diadem S. and G3 Princess Margaret S. victrix Lady Of The Desert (Rahy), who also hit the board in the G1 Cheveley Park S., G1 Haydock Sprint Cup and G1 Prix de l'Abbaye. Lady Of The Desert, in turn, is the dam of G2 Lowther S. winner Queen Kindly (GB) (Frankel {GB}), herself the dam of Lowther runner-up and G3 Firth Of Clyde S. third Queen Me (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The March-foaled bay, whose family also features G1 Derby hero Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Shale (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), is kin to a yearling filly by Ribchester (Ire) and a weanling colt by Earthlight (Ire).

Wednesday, Goodwood, Britain
JAEGER-LECOULTRE MOLECOMB S.-G3, £100,000, Goodwood, 8-2, 2yo, 5fT, 1:01.27, hy.
1–BIG EVS (IRE), 129, c, 2, by Blue Point (Ire)
1st Dam: Hana Lina (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
2nd Dam: Queen's Logic (Ire), by Grand Lodge
3rd Dam: Lagrion, by Diesis (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. (50,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-RP Racing Ltd; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Michael Appleby; J-Jason Hart. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $147,349. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Purosangue (GB), 129, c, 2, Aclaim (Ire)–Avon Breeze (GB), by Avonbridge (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (£35,000 Ylg '22 GOFFUK; £125,000 2yo '23 GOUKB). O-Opulence Thoroughbreds & Teme Valley; B-Hellwood Stud Farm & R C Dollar (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £21,500.
3–Kylian (Ire), 129, c, 2, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Hikmaa (Ire), by Roderic O'Connor (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Sheikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Karl Burke. £10,760.
Margins: NK, 1 1/4, 3. Odds: 2.25, 5.50, 2.25.
Also Ran: Baheer (Ire), Markakol (GB), Shagraan (Ire), Hackman (Ire), Barnwell Boy (GB).

 

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