Dawn Approach shines bright in 2,000 Guineas

Dubai: Dawn Approach claimed a glorious victory for Dubai’s Godolphin stable when winning the 205th running of the English 2,000 Guineas, the first Classic of the British racing season.

Ridden with aplomb by Kevin Manning, the son of former Epsom Derby hero New Approach delivered a masterclass to beat Glory Awaits, the mount of Jamie Spencer, by five lengths.

Van Der Neer, another horse with Dubai connections was two-and-quarters lengths back in third for jockey William Buick, while second favourite Toronado was a well-beaten fourth.

Dawn Approach, who is trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger, became the first Godolphin-owned winner of the Guineas since Island Sands triumphed in 1999.

Godolphin supremo His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was present at Newmarket to watch his star improve his unbeaten record to seven wins.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Mark Johnston-trained Universal, owned by Abdullah Al Mansouri and managed by Rabbah Bloodstock, put in a gutsy performance to land Group Two Jockey Club Stakes under Joe Fanning.

A son of top Darley stallion Dubawi, who endured a luckless campaign at the 2013 Dubai World Cup Carnival, Universal held off Dandino by a neck in the mile and a half contest.

Fanning told Channel 4 Racing: “He’s come on again since last time and he’s been running great since he got back from Dubai, he’s a tough horse. I was quite happy when Johnny [Murtagh] took me on as he picked up again.”

Winning trainer Johnston said: “I love winning races like that, it was a little bit like Newbury when they were all queueing up behind him and you think they are going to sweep past but he finds more.

“He’s got plenty of big entries, like the Hardwicke at Ascot, but we might go for a Group One next. I haven’t thought about Melbourne [Cup] but anything is possible.”

Despite seeing his stable-star beaten Marco Botti had his sights set on the Melbourne Cup.

“It was a good first run, they didn’t go very quick and Ascot would be a possibility and longer term we’re thinking of the Melbourne Cup,” said the Italian.

Ed Lynam’s Sole Power, who twice finish second to high-quality South African sprinter Shea Shea at the Carnival, ran out a plucky winner of the Group 3 Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes.

Sent off as the 7/2 joint-favourite under big-race jockey Johnny Murtagh, the six-year-old son of Kyllachy, scored by a length from the late-finishing Kingsgate Native, while Tangerine Tree beat Dubai-owned Heeraat for third place. The latter is owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

Speaking to Channel 4 Racing, Murtagh said: “He has always been good. They can’t go quick enough for this lad — he has got great natural speed and handled the track well today.”

Lynam was delighted and talked up the prospect of campaigning his star in all the major sprint races during the year.

“He’s brought us all over the world and gives 110 percent every time,” said the handler. “He’ll go for the Temple Stakes [Haydock] next, he just got touched off by Bated Breath in it last year, then he’ll go to the King’s Stand [Royal Ascot]. I may try him in the July Cup [Newmarket].Then he’ll go for the Nunthorpe [York] and the [Prix de] l’Abbaye [Longchamp]. If the invite us he might go to Hong Kong, too.”