Imperial Emperor (Ire)
If last week's Saudi Cup card in Riyadh was dominated by Japanese-trained runners, then Super Saturday at Meydan was the day that Charlie Appleby and Godolphin served notice to the world that this is a team which will take some stopping in the weeks and months to come. At a meeting which is ostensibly made up of trials for Dubai World Cup night in five weeks' time, it was two winners with Classic pretensions back in Europe who arguably created the biggest impression, certainly so in the case of Ruling...
Seemingly banging his head against the wall over a mile and a quarter, Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) is back at the Derby trip and back into his comfort zone in Thursday's four-runner G2 Princess of Wales's S. on day one of Newmarket's July Festival. Not seen at 12 furlongs since following his Blue Riband triumph with another in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. two years ago, Godolphin's heavyweight has given no indication in two reverses in the G1 Champion S. and G1 Prince of Wales's S....
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. Saturday's Insights features a pair of TDN Rising Stars in Ancient Wisdom and Imperial Emperor (Ire) in a couple of different Novice races at Newmarket. 13.32 Newmarket, Nov, £8,000, 2yo, 7fT Godolphin's €2-million Arqana August acquisition ANCIENT WISDOM (FR) (Dubawi {Ire}), a son of G3 Prix Minerve victrix Golden...
Godolphin's Flying Honours (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) worked a mile under William Buick at Newmarket's Rowley Mile on Friday. The work was preparation for a start in the G1 Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs in June. The 3-year-old colt worked in company with GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Natural World (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) prior to Friday's card. The G2 Dante S. at York on May 18 is next on the G3 Zetland S. hero's agenda. Appleby said, "I'm delighted with that piece of work....
Fresh off of his victory in the G3 Ballysax S. on Sunday, White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) leads 19 other colts as second entries for the G1 Derby at Epsom on Saturday, June 3. Owned by Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez and trained by John Murphy, the colt scored a half-length upset in the Ballysax at 22-1. Several Derby second entries were also made by Charlie Appleby on behalf of Godolphin. Leading the sextet is GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf second Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), while listed winner Naval Power...
In amongst the group-race action on Saturday, Godolphin unveiled the deeply-promising Imperial Emperor (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) to become Charlie Appleby's latest TDN Rising Star on debut at Newmarket. Sent off the 13-8 favourite for the Prestige Vehicles British EBF Maiden S. over a mile, the son of the GI Man o' War S. heroine Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) travelled strongly for William Buick behind the early leaders and moved forward with ease to take control passing three out. Sent clear running down into the dip, the relative of Dubawi's...