TDN RISING STARS

June 9, 2023 - HAYDOCK PARK, Race 5, Alw, GBP £10,000, 6.9F, .0000

Ancient Wisdom (Fr), C, 2, 2021 by Dubawi (Ire)

1st Dam: Golden Valentine (Fr), by Dalakhani (Ire)
2nd Dam: Gold Round (Ire), by Caerleon
3rd Dam: Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr)

Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Ecurie des Monceaux & LNJ Foxwoods (FR)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Godolphin's Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}-Golden Valentine {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}) turned heads when selling for EUR2-million at last year's Arqana August fixture, and he was back in the limelight with a highly polished debut display in Friday's GPW Recruitment Carl Foster Memorial EBF Novice S. at Haydock. The well-supported 6-5 favourite hit the line powerfully and finished clear of Under The Sun (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), attaining 'TDN Rising Star' status in the seven-furlong heat with an impressive five-length triumph.

Ancient Wisdom settled into a comfortable rhythm behind the leaders in fourth after a sharp exit from an outer stall. Bounding forward in the straight to launch his bid on the bridle passing the quarter-mile marker, he quickened in style to settle the contest in a matter of strides approaching the final furlong and surged clear in taking fashion to rout his rivals by daylight. The April-foaled bay took several furlongs to gear down and was halfway along the backstraight before doing so. His sire's 33 previous Rising Stars include Friday's GI Just A Game S. heroine In Italian (GB).

"We were expecting him to run a good race and he's done that and a bit more," said James Doyle. "He's still a bit babyish in his action, but he really learnt on the job and I'm delighted with him. He broke smartly and it was nice to get a lead, but he went to sleep a little bit around the turn. Once we straightened up and I asked him to show a bit of interest, he jumped straight into the bridle. He took me along good, he showed a good kick and he hit the line good and galloped out strong. His performance had everything you look for in the debut of a pretty smart horse. He has plenty of size and substance about him and he's one to be excited about."