Dubai It was overall a profitable day for horses with Dubai connections as UK’s premier race courses at Newmarket, Ascot and York staged some of the summer’s biggest races.
Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby continued his fine form at Newmarket, the headquarters of British racing, when he saddled Boynton to upstage favourite War Decree in a thrilling renewal of the Group 2 Superlative Stakes.
Less than 24 hours after Mise En Rose emerged as an exciting prospect for the Englishman who trains out of Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket, Boynton lived up to his sparking form on the gallops to post an impressive victory that has Appleby looking at big Irish targets.
“He did a piece of work last Saturday on the Limekilns and we were very happy with what we saw,” Appleby told Channel 4 Racing. “He has so mentally come on for that run. William (Buick) gave him a lovely ride at Goodwood and said he was a cut-above average.
“Adam had sat on him at home as well and let him come into the race in his own time. He let him find his feet and he galloped on strongly.
“We’ll go to Ireland maybe and have a look at the National Stakes (Curragh), but I’ll sit back and let the horse do the talking,” the trainer added.
“We’ll let him come back and see how he is.”
The Aidan O’Brien-trained War Decree was sent off as the big favourite but he looked to be in trouble with a furlong to run as Boynton took command to win three-quarters of a length.
Kirby said: “He’s a galloper and really sticks his head out. I wound him up in nice time and he stayed at it very strong — it’s all good.
“He’s a lovely action — a great mover — and his future is quite bright.”
Meanwhile, Emirati handler Esmail Mohammad claimed a major victory when his stable star Educated landed the prestigious John Smith’s Cup (Heritage Handicap) over a mile and a half at York.
A regular on the Knavesmire, the seven-year-old who is owned by Dubai businessman Sultan Ali, was claiming a first victory since he won the 2013 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket.
The John Smith’s Cup is Mohammad’s biggest success in the UK.
A leading endurance trainer who has won the World Cup several times, Mohammad’s biggest wins in the UAE have come with Eu Tambem and Blatan in the Al Maktoum Challenge series.
Favourite Limato was a comfortable two-length victory of the Group 1 Darley July Cup, the feature race at Newmarket.
The 9/2 favourite raced just off the pace under Harry Bentley before making his run in the final furlong to leave his rivals trailing in his wake.
David O’Meara’s 25/1 outsider Suedois was second, while third placed went to Karl Burke’s Commonwealth Cup-winning filly Quiet Reflection.
