Native Trail (centre) with New Energy© Photo Healy Racing
Charlie Appleby today became the first trainer to complete the English, French and Irish 2,000 Guineas treble with different horses, as his Godolphin-owned Native Trail won the Curragh's Tattersalls-sponsored Classic.
The son of Oasis Dream won the National Stakes at the Kildare venue last September and last month chased home stablemate Coroebus in the English equivalent of today's mile race.
Facing eight opponents, including fellow UK raider Imperial Fighter Native Trail and jockey William Buick were briefly short of room with three furlongs to race but once switched to challenge, quickened to lead a furlong out.
At the line, the son of Oasis Dream beat Sheila Lavery's 40/1 chance New Energy by a length and three parts with Imperial Fighter third and Joseph O'Brien's 3/1 second-favourite Buckaroo finishing sixth.
It was the final leg of an historic 2,000 Guineas treble for Appleby and owner/breeders Godolphin, whose Modern Games won the French Classic, titled the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, last Sunday at Longchamp.
Appleby today said “I'm delighted for the whole team, delighted for Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed. To do what's been done over the last month is a huge achievement, more importantly for the team at home and for his Highness.
“It's a huge achievement for everybody and I'm delighted to be part of it.
“Coming into today as calm and collected as you try to be, I knew what we were trying to achieve. Firstly trying to win a Guineas but, dare I say, trying to make history. That's what this horse has done for the whole team today.
“It was more pressure than sometimes I'm used to.”
He added “I was delighted the rain didn't come, for a big horse and a horse with his action I'm always more confident when he's on a sounder surface.
“I wasn't going to give an excuse coming into today that the slower side of good would be a negative, I'm a believer that good horses can get through it, but I'm delighted it's raining now and not before the race.
“I was confident in William as he knows him so well and has rode him all of his racing career and plenty at home. He knows what this horse can do.
“The thought process before the race was to try and get out and get a box seat but once it wasn't there I could see what William was doing. It was one of those nice races to watch. I knew once he angled him out, he wouldn't falter.”
Regarding plans for his Classic winning colts, he said “in all sports you like to see the two best take on each other, whether it be tennis or football teams. At the moment these colts are the best around over a mile so you'd like to see them have a crack at each other - you never know.
“Royal Ascot is the last time the three-year-olds can take each other on over a mile at that level.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
