Appleby Excited For Dewhurst Clash

Two days removed from his star juvenile Emotionless (Ire) (Shamardal)’s romp in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster, trainer Charlie Appleby said it would be “exciting” to see the ‘TDN Rising Star’ clash with Ireland’s top 2-year-old, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Air Force Blue (War Front), in the G1 Dewhurst S. Oct. 10.

Emotionless followed up on a debut maiden win at Newmarket to go two-for-two in the Champagne, while Air Force Blue earned his second Group 1 in the G1 National S. at The Curragh Sunday.

“It is exciting with [Air Force Blue] likely to go [to the Dewhurst] too,” Appleby said. “It is the next step forward for us taking on a Group 1 winner if he heads there, and it would be great for racing and great for us if he does.”

Appleby said Emotionless, a son of GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled’s Song), exited his exploits over the weekend in good order.

“Emotionless had a jog [Monday] and looks great,” he said. “Hopefully we will get a clear run until the Dewhurst. I am delighted to have a horse of this caliber for the boss [Sheikh Mohammed] to go into Future Champions Day with.”

Appleby described Emotionless’s romp as “the best visual performance that I have seen by a 2-year-old.”

“He has always stood up like a nice horse and has got a great pedigree,” Appleby added. “To see a jockey take a pull a furlong out like William [Buick] did on Saturday and have a look between his legs, you could see he had plenty left under the bonnet. At this stage of his career he is the most exciting 2-year-old we’ve had. Charming Thought went into the [G1] Middle Park as a 25-1 shot while Outstrip won in America [GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf], and as much as we thought he had a great chance he didn’t quite have the same sort of profile as this horse.”