Charming Thought provided Godolphin with their first Group 1 winner outside Dubai this year when he won the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Friday under William Buick.
Future Champions Day was graced by the Dubai World Cup, courtesy of a multi-media exhibition focusing on Dubai and sponsorship by the Emirate, and the sight of the Godolphin blue flashing past the post ahead of Ivawood and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s Muhaarar was a relief to trainer Charlie Appleby.
It was Appleby’s first Group 1 success in Europe and second in total after Outstrip’s win at the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita last season.
“It was the last roll of the dice for Moulton Paddocks this season,” Appleby said.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was not at Newmarket, but it was Godolphin’s founder who had made the final call to supplement the Oasis Dream colt on Saturday, following a spending spree at Tattersalls sales last week that saw him invest £17.5 million (Dh103.5m) on 38 yearlings.
Appleby described Sheikh Mohammed’s call to make Charming Thought a supplementary entry “a brave decision”. “The rain turned up and we were a bit sheepish about it as he needs better ground but we are delighted with that outcome.”
Earlier this week Appleby made it clear that Godolphin were building towards next year, following a difficult season for the international stable. John Ferguson, Godolphin’s bloodstock advisor, revealed that Sheikh Mohammed was set up for a winter of hope ahead of next year’s European Classics.
“Sheikh Mohammed came to Newmarket last week and spent a lot of money on some lovely yearlings,” Ferguson said. “If you are prepared to spend that sort of money you deserve to have a fun during the winter. As the boss just said to me on the phone, he’s very much looking forward to that.”
sports@thenational.ae
Follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
