Tag Archive for: Big Evs

Still Believing – Highclere hoping this is filly’s moment to shine

There could be a fitting end to a fantastic season for Believing in the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, with George Boughey’s filly backed to “get her skates on” and finally get her moment in the sun in California.

The four-year-old has been a model of consistency for connections, only once outside the top four in a multitude of the year’s hottest sprint contests and winning twice along the way.

Ryan More was the man in the saddle when she struck at the Curragh in the summer and the 41-year-old’s big-match experience is backed to come to the fore when he climbs aboard his willing ally at Del Mar on Saturday.

Harry Herbert, managing director of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: “Ryan is such a go-to man and has ridden some wonderful horses for us over the years. He knows this filly well and he knows the track well and he’s pleased to be riding her.

Believing winning at the Curragh
Believing winning at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA)

“She gives you everything and you know when you ride Believing she absolutely leaves not an ounce in the tank. She’s like her father Mehmas and when you have a horse like that it’s exciting to come to a championship race knowing you will get everything she can give.”

This will be Believing’s 10th start of 2024, but Herbert is still backing the ultra-tough speedster to put her best foot forward.

He added: “Hopefully she’s ready to run well and she will have to get her skates on around here.

“She’s drawn well which is great and makes a big difference – if she can break well, she is drawn well and she seems to be in great form. She’s had a busy season, but she seems bright and George couldn’t be happier with her.”

It is Archie Watson’s Bradsell who has proved a thorn in Believing’s side, winning both the Nunthorpe and Flying Five Stakes with the Boughey-trained sprinter in second.

Bradsell has been better than ever this summer
Bradsell has been better than ever this summer (Mike Egerton/PA)

A narrow defeat on testing ground in the Prix de l’Abbaye brought an end to Bradsell’s imperious winning run since returning from a career-threatening injury and he now searches for one last hurrah Stateside before a stallion career beckons.

Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Victorious Racing, said: “He didn’t really like the ground at Longchamp and he was very brave to run through that. We think he prefers a firmer surface and hopefully the surface should suit us out there.

“Obviously it’s not an ideal draw in 12, but hopefully he can get forward and the big American horse Cogburn (trained by Steven Asmussen, in nine) is also drawn a bit wide so hopefully they can get across and it does not impede him too much.

“He retires to the National Stud after this run and hopefully he can run one last big race and show us what he can do again.”

Also making his final career appearance is Big Evs, who is another having to combat being positioned out wide in stall 11.

Big Evs struck Breeders' Cup gold
Big Evs struck Breeders’ Cup gold at Santa Anita (PA)

He gave handler Mick Appleby one of the biggest days of his career when scorching to Juvenile Turf Sprint glory at Santa Anita last year, but will arguably need a career best to replicate Wesley Ward’s Golden Pal and bring the curtain down on his career in style with a Breeders’ Cup double.

“He’s got a tough ask being stuck out wide and hopefully he can break well like he normally does, otherwise I think he will be up against it from that draw,” said Appleby.

“He’s in good form and we know he can come round the bend well, I just hope he can jump well so he can get a decent position coming round the bend. We’ve freshened him up since York and he’s absolutely bouncing.

“It’s nice to go back to America and it will be nice to go out with a win, but as long as he comes back safe, that is always the main thing.”

Starlust could end Ralph Beckett and Rosa Ryan's year on a real high
Starlust could end Ralph Beckett and Rosa Ryan’s year on a real high (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ralph Beckett’s Starlust was third behind Big Evs at Santa Anita 12 months ago and could cap a phenomenal autumn for the Arc-winning handler and his jockey Rossa Ryan, while Charlie Appleby will saddle Star Of Mystery who has built up plenty of experience in the US this summer.

“Star of Mystery will need to break from the draw and then get the breaks in running,” said Appleby.

“She put up two good performances at Saratoga where on one occasion you couldn’t see her because she’s so small.

“She won easily on her second start and was probably an unlucky loser at Keeneland. I think she will be bang there.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Appleby hopeful Big Evs can overcome wide draw

Mick Appleby is backing Big Evs to have the speed to counteract his unkind post position when his sprinting star bids for back-to-back victories at the Breeders’ Cup.

The son of Blue Point scorched to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint success at Santa Anita 12 months ago and returns to California for the swansong of his career in Saturday’s Turf Sprint.

However, he has been drawn in stall 11 alongside Archie Watson’s Bradsell in 12 and Appleby feels he will have to use all of his key natural attributes if he is to achieve what would be a phenomenal double at the Stateside event.

Big Evs after his Santa Anita victory
Big Evs after his Santa Anita victory (PA)

Appleby told Sky Sports Racing: “We’d have preferred to be drawn four or five, but it is what is is and he has very good gate speed and hopefully he can get out quick and go forward.

“We have Bradsell on his outside, who is also very quick. It’s just how quick he can get out and across until he gets to the bend.

“I think Cogburn (Steven Asmussen’s favourite) is the main one to beat, but you can’t rule any of them out really and at this level they are all there trying to win and are very good horses. On the day you just need a lot of luck.

“We have had a few disappointments and I think the ground made the difference at York, but he’s in really good form, he’s really well in himself and he’s fresh – I think he’s a lot better when he’s fresh. I think he’s going there with a really live chance.”

Aesterius (left) and Big Mojo (right) will lock horns again at Del Mar
Aesterius (left) and Big Mojo (right) will lock horns again at Del Mar (Mike Egerton/PA)

Appleby will also saddle Big Mojo, who as well as sporting the same colours of Paul and Rachael Teasdale, will bid to follow in the footsteps of Big Evs and take home the Juvenile Turf Sprint trophy.

Like Big Evs, Big Mojo will be ridden by Tom Marquand and the Del Mar sprint shootout will be the rubber match of the colt’s rivalry with Wathnan Racing contender Aesterius, with the scoreline locked at one-all following their ding-dong battles on home soil this summer.

“I’m very happy with that draw and he’s got good gate speed,” continued Appleby.

“He’s a completely different horse to Big Evs and he doesn’t need to lead, but I’m very happy with stall three. Tom will just be able to get him out and sit behind the leaders.

“It’s going to be very hard and Aesterius is a very good horse who is going to be very difficult to beat. You never know around a bend and we gave Big Mojo a gallop at Southwell and he handled the bend really well, so I’m really hopeful.

“As soon as we got him and started working we knew we had something special. He was showing us similar signs to Big Evs the year before when he came to us. He’s a lot bigger than Big Evs and I think he will improve a lot as a three-year-old.

“It would be very nice if we were to get a double. But I think they both go there with live chances. They are fit and well and should both run their races, we just hope for a bit of luck in running.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Marquand gunning for more Breeders’ Cup glory

Having conquered Santa Anita 12 months ago, Tom Marquand is looking to repeat his Breeders’ Cup heroics with a crack book of rides at Del Mar this time around.

It was Mick Appleby’s Big Evs that broke Marquand’s duck at the Stateside showpiece when storming to Juvenile Turf Sprint victory and the 26-year-old will again be aboard the fleet-footed son of Blue Point as he returns to California for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

He will also partner Appleby’s Big Mojo when he bids to follow in Big Evs’ footsteps in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, and Hugo Palmer’s Tattersalls Stakes scorer The Waco Kid when he goes for Juvenile Turf on Friday.

However, his trump card could prove to be Porta Fortuna in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Marquand has built up a fine association with Donnacha O’Brien’s star filly this term, striking in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and gaining more Group One honours together in Leopardstown’s Matron Stakes last month.

Just touched off at Santa Anita as a two-year-old, it would be the perfect way to round off Porta Fortuna’s season by correcting the record on the outskirts of San Diego.

“She went round Santa Anita great last year and was narrowly beaten and has been absolutely faultless since, it will be nice to be aboard,” said Marquand

Porta Fortuna winning at Royal Ascot
Porta Fortuna winning at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“The Breeders’ Cup is a hard place to find the right horses to go there and be successful and it is such a unique meeting.

“You have to have so much speed with your sprinters and especially with your juvenile sprinters, they are very fast. Luckily I held an ace card in Big Evs and hopefully this year goes similar.”

No stranger to success on the international stage thanks to his exploits in Australia, Marquand is eager to add to his Breeders’ Cup tally following his maiden win last year.

Someone who relishes the differing challenges racing overseas presents, he will head to Japan with his wife Hollie Doyle later in the year for a second stint in the Far East.

Big Evs struck Breeders' Cup gold
Big Evs struck Breeders’ Cup gold at Santa Anita (PA)

But first it is the excitement of the end-of-season world championships that provides Marquand with the opportunity to enhance his growing CV.

He added: “The Breeders’ Cup is tough racing and a tough place to go and win, but it’s also exciting and it’s an event you get a chance to look forward to as the build up is quite long compared to just a normal British big race day. It’s always an exciting week.

“I enjoy travelling and I like going abroad to different places and trying to adapt as fast as you can. I’ve been very lucky and fortunate enough to have big winners in most of the places I’ve gone. I’ll just keep going and keep trying to tick off big ones.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Big hopes of Breeders’ Cup double for Evs

When conquering America 12 months ago, Big Evs had already assured his place in the affections of his connections. But now he will attempt to cement his own legacy when he returns to California for the sequel to his Breeders’ Cup story.

Trained by Barnsley-born Mick Appleby, the Big Evs journey is one already fitting of the silver screen.

The son of Blue Point broke the Rutland handler’s Royal Ascot hoodoo during an almost flawless juvenile campaign, before rubber-stamping his star status with his blockbuster Breeders’ Cup success at Santa Anita in the shadows of the San Gabriel mountains.

Big Evs with trainer Mick Appleby
Big Evs with trainer Mick Appleby (Joe Giddens/PA)

For a man of humble beginnings, considered as an all-weather specialist, that Juvenile Turf Sprint success was not only a first victory at the highest level for Appleby, but a triumph that propelled his Langham training operation into the limelight.

The colt is owned by East Yorkshire-based Paul and Rachael Teasdale under their RP Racing banner and is certainly a favourite at the Appleby yard.

“He’s a once in a lifetime horse and a lot of trainers dream of having a horse like this,” said Appleby.

“All credit has to go to Paul for bringing horses to us and putting his faith in us.

“You have to savour days like last year because they are far and few between.”

Big Evs struck Breeders' Cup gold
Big Evs struck Breeders’ Cup gold at Santa Anita (PA)

Last year’s Breeders’ Cup experience was also a step into the unknown for the Teasdales, who took the brave decision to turn down eye-watering offers for the horse named after friend Paul Evans – who died of lung cancer in 2022 – in favour of continuing the Big Evs journey with Appleby.

It was a call that resulted in memories of a lifetime for all concerned, as the youngster who carries the colours of his beloved Crystal Palace proved far too good for the best juveniles in the world.

“He had an amazing season at two, culminating at the Breeders’ Cup which was just incredible and there was a lot of temptation to retire him last year. We had some huge offers to retire him, but we really wanted him to have a three-year-old career,” explained Paul Teasdale.

“We got there (to America) late, we only got there on Thursday and his race was on Friday. We arrived about an hour before the Breeders’ Cup launch party – they have a cocktail party on the night.

“When we went on Friday it was a brand new experience, we didn’t know what to expect. They looked after us enormously well, they are great people and very friendly, but it was slightly overwhelming at times and it took us a while to settle in.

“I guess we should have expected him to win, but we never expected anything like that. He travelled over there well, took all the proceedings well and then just acquitted himself in a fantastic way.

“Turning for home there was only one horse in the race and (jockey) Tom Marquand’s view was he just wasn’t getting beat and we were all delighted with him.”

Kept in training at three, the plan has always been for Big Evs to bring the curtain down on his racing career back in California and attempt to repeat the feat achieved by Wesley Ward’s Golden Pal, who claimed juvenile honours at Keeneland in 2020 before downing his elders 12 months later at Del Mar.

Golden Pal was famed for his rapid gate speed and sustained acceleration, and Appleby is confident his once in a lifetime performer shares the same characteristics ahead of his swansong.

Big Evs galloped at Southwell on Thursday
Big Evs enjoyed a pre-Breeders’ Cup gallop at Southwell (Adam Morgan/PA)

“He’s so quick and he’s not the biggest, so he can nip round that bend and with his natural speed, America just seems to suit him,” explained Appleby.

“It will be nice to go back to America and it would be great if he could win.

“We’re not going there under any illusions it will be easy, but as long as he runs his race and is thereabouts, we’ll be happy. If he doesn’t win, he doesn’t win, but we’re going there with every chance.”

For Teasdale, there might never be another Big Evs, but he can also look forward to watching the up-and-coming Big Mojo search for sprinting stardom in the San Diego suburbs.

That only really serves as the appetiser before the main event though, and nothing would give him more joy than seeing the ‘people’s horse’ sail off to stud as a Breeders’ Cup great.

Big Evs at Mick Appleby's Rutland stables
Big Evs at Mick Appleby’s Rutland stables (Joe Giddens/PA)

“He’s absolutely a horse of a lifetime for us and we’ve had a fantastic run of success and he means the world to us,” added Teasdale.

“It would mean everything for him to go back there and win again. It would be a fantastic way for him to sign off and say ‘look who I am and how good I am’.

“I think he is a very-well followed horse and someone described him to me as being the ‘people’s horse’. Everyone always asks about him and it would be great and synonymous with how he’s been in his career to just finish off in style.

“He’s proved everyone wrong and has trained on really well this year. He won a nice Group Two at Goodwood, was third in the King Charles at Royal Ascot and we look forward to going back to the Breeders’ Cup, which will hopefully suit him.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Big Evs prepares for Breeders’ Cup bid with Southwell gallop

Mick Appleby is confident Big Evs is in the ideal place ahead of his Breeders’ Cup swansong after tightening the screw in a racecourse gallop under big-race jockey Tom Marquand at Southwell on Thursday morning.

There may have been fanfare when Aidan O’Brien visited the Rolleston venue to put City Of Troy through his paces last month, but there were only a handful of witnesses on this occasion as the speedy son of Blue Point continued his Del Mar preparations in the hands of the ever-loyal pilot Marquand.

It is a tried-and-tested path for the undoubted star of Appleby’s string, with Big Evs tuning up for the Hollywood ending of his two-year-old campaign at last year’s Stateside showpiece with a spin on the Southwell Tapeta.

This time he was accompanied by stablemate Blind Beggar as he galloped for five furlongs, spinning the home bend before finishing at the one furlong marker ahead of his 83-raced companion in what is his final appearance on a British racecourse before retiring to stud after his trip to California.

Appleby said: “I think he worked really well. Tom was saying he’s got a bit lazy and he knows he is good so he just does as much as he wants to do.

“Today will be the last time he’s seen on a British racecourse and I’ve been coming to Southwell a long time – they do a great job here and Mark Clayton (executive director) is absolutely brilliant.”

A return to the US has been the ultimate ambition of a profitable three-year-old season, which has so far seen him taste success on both his reappearance at York in May and at Goodwood when gaining revenge on Aussie conqueror Asfoora in the King George Stakes.

Kept fresh for his latest trans-Atlantic mission since failing to sparkle in the Nunthorpe in August, there is only a few weeks to go until Big Evs bids to bring the curtain down on his career in style and Appleby is confident his fleet-footed speedster is ready to make a bold bid.

Tom Marquand and Big Evs at Southwell
Tom Marquand and Big Evs at Southwell (Adam Morgan/PA)

“He needed that as well because we’ve freshened him up since his last run and it will have blown away the cobwebs,” continued Appleby. “We did exactly the same last year before we went to the Breeders’ Cup.”

“I just think everything went against him at York and we just have to put a line through him, I still have plenty of faith in him. He’s proved he has trained on this year and when you have a good two-year-old there is always a doubt, but he’s shown he is still as good as he was if not better.

“It will be nice to go back America and it would be great if he could win. We’re not going there under any illusions it will be easy, but as long as he runs his race and is thereabouts we’ll be happy. If he doesn’t win, he doesn’t win, but we’re going there with every chance.”

Marquand is no stranger to success on the international stage and has been an ever-present in the saddle aboard Big Evs since joining forces for the first time at Doncaster in September 2023.

Big Evs struck Breeders' Cup gold
Big Evs struck Breeders’ Cup gold at Santa Anita (PA)

He tasted Breeders’ Cup glory for the first time when the duo triumphed in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita and feels his ace sprinter has lost none of his zip as he prepares to showcase his electric pace once again to an American audience.

Marquand said: “He did well and by the sounds of it he was freshened up following his run at York and feels well for it.

“It seems all systems go for America now and that was probably the first opening piece he’s really had by the sounds of it and there’s a few weeks left to fine tune him now.”

Joining Big Evs in the morning workout was stablemate Big Mojo, who is bidding to follow in Big Evs’ footsteps in the Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Big Mojo was a big race winner at Goodwood in the summer
Big Mojo was a big race winner at Goodwood in the summer (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Owned similarly by Paul and Rachael Teasdale, the son of Mohaather has already emulated his illustrious stablemate once this year by winning the Molecomb at Goodwood and now has the chance to regain the winning thread in the San Diego suburbs having rattled the crossbar at Doncaster last month.

Appleby added: “He went round the bend really well and that was the main thing to get him going round at speed. He did very well and changed legs at the right time so really good.

“He’s a good horse with a lot of natural speed. I imagine next year he is going to be a six-furlong horse, but I imagine this will be absolutely fine for him.

“He’s got the natural speed that Big Evs has and I think he’s going to be a better three-year-old and I think he will be going out there with a live chance.”

Big Mojo will also be partnered by Marquand at Del Mar, who said: “He went round the bend like a motorbike and it will obviously be pretty different in America, but he’s had that experience now and felt good for it.

“I’ve got two good rides for Mick to look forward to and I’m excited to get out to Del Mar.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Big Evs gearing up for Breeders’ Cup assignment

Mick Appleby is following a familiar routine as he prepares Big Evs to head to Del Mar in search of back-to-back Breeders’ Cup victories.

The son of Blue Point capped a fine juvenile season when scoring at the end-of-season championships at Santa Anita last November and California is calling once again for the Rutland handler and his star sprinter.

With sights firmly fixed on the Breeders’ Cup since his down-the-field finish in the Nunthorpe, Big Evs is reported to be in flying form as he steps up his preparations, with an away day to Southwell on the cards before he departs for America.

Big Evs with trainer Mick Appleby
Big Evs with trainer Mick Appleby (Joe Giddens/PA)

He will be joined Stateside by stablemate Big Mojo, who followed in Big Evs’ footsteps when winning the Molecomb at Goodwood earlier in the season and is also owned by Paul and Rachael Teasdale, with connections excited for their dual trans-Atlantic assault.

“Big Evs is in good order and it will obviously be straight to the Breeders’ Cup now,” said Appleby.

“He’s tuning up nicely and we think he’s in good form, so we’re looking forward to it.

Big Mojo will also head to America
Big Mojo will also head to America (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“We’re following the same plan as last year, it will just be a little bit longer between his last run and America this time.

“We’ll probably go and have a gallop at Southwell at some point, we were going to go last week but it was Aidan’s day and didn’t want to get in the way!

“Big Evs is great and Big Mojo will be going over as well which is nice for the owners. I think they both go over there with a good chance.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Appleby ready to aim high again with Annaf

An appearance on Qipco British Champions Day and a second trip to Saudi Arabia are among the options under consideration for Annaf following his return to form at Newbury on Saturday.

Mick Appleby’s sprinter enjoyed a fantastic end to last season, landing the Portland at Doncaster and the Bengough Stakes at Ascot – and following a readying run at Lingfield, he claimed the best part of £1million with victory in the Saudi National Bank 1351 Turf Sprint in Riyadh in February.

The five-year-old was well held on his return from over six months off the track in the Sprint Cup at Haydock, albeit after encountering a troubled passage, but his third-place finish in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy was a significant step in the right direction.

“He ran very well, we were very pleased with him,” said Appleby. “He was probably drawn on the wrong side and the (heavy) ground was a bit against him, but he ran well.

“He’s in the Bengough at Ascot again, so we’ll decide whether we are going to go there or not, then there’s Champions Day and we’ll probably go and have another tilt in Saudi with him, I would think.

“He got murdered at Haydock, so it was nice to see him run a good race on Saturday.”

The Rutland-based trainer also provided a positive update on the well-being of the Breeders’ Cup bound pair of Big Evs and Big Mojo.

Having won the Juvenile Turf Sprint last term, Big Evs will bid to double up in the Turf Sprint, while Big Mojo is this year’s Juvenile Turf Sprint candidate.

“They’re both good and they’re both going straight there now,” Appleby added.

“They’re both in good order.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Southwell offer free entry for City Of Troy Breeders’ Cup gallop

Southwell is gearing up to welcome City Of Troy’s legions of fans after confirming the public will be able to attend the Derby winner’s racecourse gallop later this month.

Aidan O’Brien had long mooted a trip to the Nottinghamshire track to test his Breeders’ Cup Classic aspirant on a synthetic surface before the anticipated climax of his career at Del Mar.

The impressive Juddmonte International Stakes winner will enjoy an away day to the Rolleston venue on September 20, where O’Brien hopes to replicate conditions his Group One star will face in California.

American starting stalls and a crack team of stablemates will join City Of Troy at Southwell as he is put through his paces ahead of his trans-Atlantic assignment, with Ballydoyle also suggesting they would be happy for the racing public to come along and witness what could be the Justify colt’s final action on UK soil.

Mark Clayton, executive director at Southwell, has now confirmed the racecourse is planning on opening the gates for the masses, who will need to register for a free ticket to the event once arrangements for the gallop have been finalised.

He said: “We have decided that on September 20, everybody will be welcome to come and watch City Of Troy.

“We haven’t got the times yet of when he will gallop, but once we have that, we will release a statement with the relevant information.

“All of the public are welcome for free, they will just need to pre-register on our website.

“That is not live yet and until that is confirmed, we won’t be accepting bookings, but we are expecting arrangements to be confirmed ASAP, then it will go live on our website. We will look after everybody and what an occasion it will be for us.”

It will not be the first time O’Brien has brought a member of his all-conquering string to Southwell, with the likes of Galileo and Giant’s Causeway both taking in a lap of the course ahead of their American endeavours.

Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore will put City Of Troy through his paces at Southwell (Damien Eagers/PA)
Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore will put City Of Troy through his paces at Southwell (Damien Eagers/PA)

The once Fibresand surface is now a Tapeta all-weather track, but Southwell is thrilled to maintain its reputation as the ‘go-to’ place for Breeders’ Cup preparations and executives are hoping to lure Big Evs back there, as Mick Appleby’s star sprinter also points towards California this autumn.

The son of Blue Point graced the course with his presence prior to winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint 12 months ago and similar to City Of Troy, is also slated to end his racing career in the San Diego suburbs.

Clayton continued: “Who knows, it could be the last time we see City Of Troy on these shores and he’s going off to try to do something special.

Big Evs visited Southwell before winning at Santa Anita last year
Big Evs visited Southwell before winning at Santa Anita last year (Joe Giddens/PA)

“Aidan O’Brien coming to Southwell is quite a unique experience and it only happens maybe once a decade, so it will be nice to make something of it.

“We’re also hoping to entice Big Evs back to do a gallop before the Breeders’ Cup like he did last year. Mick has mooted it to me but it is still to be confirmed.

“If we can begin to be used for that sort of thing, then it can only help the course’s profile. We know it’s not the exact surface (as the dirt in America), but the layout of the course as a one-mile-two-furlong flat oval is wonderful if trying to replicate an American track.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Big Evs will bid to bow out in blaze of Breeders’ Cup glory

Mick Appleby’s Big Evs will head straight to the Breeders’ Cup for his final ever run as he looks to once again put Nunthorpe disappointment behind him.

The Blue Point colt was having a second roll of the dice in the Group One Knavesmire contest after finishing down the field in the race when taking on older horses as a juvenile last season.

It was the only blip of his two-year-old career, which included Windsor Castle and Molecomb successes prior to York and then Flying Childers and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint victories afterwards.

This year, he made his seasonal debut at York, winning the Listed Westow Stakes to get into the swing of things as a three-year-old.

At Royal Ascot, he ran a good race to come home third in the King Charles III Stakes when beaten a length and a half by Asfoora, on whom he then turned the tables when beating her by a short head to win the King George at Goodwood.

York Races – Thursday May 16th
Big Evs winning the Westow Stakes at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

Another bid for the Nunthorpe was his next target but again the race did not return the result expected, with Big Evs racing from stall 14 and failing to land a blow when eighth of 12.

However, connections still intend to adhere to their plan of heading out again to the Breeders’ Cup, with the horse proving himself able to draw a line under a bad run after the Nunthorpe last year.

“He’s doing good, obviously we were disappointed and we think the draw had a lot to do with it,” said Appleby.

“The ground was quite tacky there but it was mainly the draw, anything drawn on the far side didn’t really seem to have much of a chance in the sprints.

“We’ll freshen him up now and head straight to the Breeders’ Cup, that’ll be his last run.

The Qatar Goodwood Festival – Day Two – Goodwood Racecourse
Big Mojo when successful at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“I think we’ll just go there fresh, that’s the plan with him, it’ll be too soft for him in the Prix de l’Abbaye anyway, it normally is.”

Big Evs is in the same Paul and Rachel Teasdale ownership as Big Mojo, who began to follow in his footsteps when winning the Molecomb at Goodwood in good style in late July.

His next outing was also at York, where he stepped up to six furlongs to contest the Gimcrack and came home in fourth, beaten two lengths.

He will now return to a five-furlong trip in the Flying Childers at Doncaster, continuing to follow the path trodden by Big Evs last year before a potential tilt at the Breeders’ Cup.

“I thought he ran very well, I’m not sure whether he got the six or not or whether it was more the fact that when he hit the front, he was looking around a fair bit,” Appleby said of the York run.

“He’s still a bit green, he’ll go for the Flying Childers next and if he were to win that, then he could go out to America as well for the race Big Evs won last year.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Big Evs and Asfoora all set for ‘grand final’ in Nunthorpe

Mick Appleby has predicted York’s track record could be in danger as Big Evs prepares to erase the demons of 12 months ago in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.

Although a course and distance winner earlier this season, the sole disappointment in the son of Blue Point’s all-conquering two-year-old campaign came in this contest when he beat only two rivals home.

That performance is the one anomaly in what is a stellar on-track career and Big Evs returns to York with plenty of momentum following his thrilling King George Stakes win at Goodwood.

“He came out of Goodwood really well and he is in good form,” said Appleby.

“He is drawn 14 of 14, so I’m not sure if that is going to be a good or a bad draw. Whether it will work in his favour or not, I don’t know.

“It’s a different track and different circumstances (to Goodwood). What will be will be and I think it is going to be a very fast race. I think if it stays quick ground, I wouldn’t be surprised if the track record gets broken.”

Big Evs’ rider Tom Marquand is also confident his mount is ready to banish the memories of last year as he prepares for round three of the colt’s rivalry with Australian ace Asfoora.

Tom Marquand and Big Evs have made a winning team
Tom Marquand and Big Evs have made a winning team (Tim Goode/PA)

In fact the 26-year-old feels the Knavesmire is the perfect place for Big Evs to gain the upper hand in the sprinting showdown which has given the division a narrative to savour.

“Asfoora beat us at Ascot, and if we were going back there I think I’d be pretty scared of her as it’s a stiff five,” explained Marquand ahead of this British Champions Series event.

“But we turned the form around when we beat her at Goodwood and I think York, as a speed track, will favour him more than her.

“I know she’s 6lb better off here and we only beat her a short head, but I don’t think it’s as straightforward as that and with a bit of luck we’ll come out on top again.”

Asfoora and her team have been a welcome addition to the sprinting ranks during their extended stay for the British summer.

Asfoora was a winner for Australia at Royal Ascot
Asfoora was a winner for Australia at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

“It was billed as a bit of a mundane year for sprinters so I like to think her presence has added a bit of colour to things,” said trainer Henry Dwyer.

“We’re pretty excited to get up there and we’re been very much looking forward to York during the whole preparation. This is our grand final and everything has gone well so far and hopefully it can continue.

“There is no doubt she is in great order and she is really as good as she can be, it’s the best I’ve ever seen her look and generally that translates to good runs. That was the case at Goodwood and I think she’s a little bit fitter for this run, so I think we are right where we need to be.”

Only a short head separated Asfoora and Big Evs at Goodwood and despite the titanic tussle on track, there has been a growing bond between the two teams on the sidelines as they embrace their sporting rivalry.

“The Big Evs team, the owners and Mick the trainer are lovely people,” continued Dwyer.

“We managed to have a drink with them after the race at Goodwood and congratulate and commiserate with them and I look forward to catching up with them again and hopefully we get to turn the tables on them.”

The consistent George Boughey-trained Believing adds further spice to a deep contest which also includes dual Royal Ascot winner Bradsell who was third 12 months ago.

Bradsell winning at Royal Ascot in 2023
Bradsell winning at Royal Ascot in 2023 (David Davies/PA)

Archie Watson’s star returned from nearly a year off the track in fine style at Deauville earlier this month and connections are hopeful of another bold bid.

“I’ve spoken to Archie and he says the horse is in great form,” said Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Fawzi Nass of Bahrani owners Victorious Racing.

“Hopefully he can acquit himself well, Hollie (Doyle) was really happy with him at Deauville and thought he was back.

“The Deauville opposition was good, but it was not Group One standard, hopefully he can put his best foot forward. He’s drawn in stall three so hopefully there is some pace around him and hopefully there isn’t too much rain around.”

Last year’s winner Live In The Dream is a non runner due to a bruised foot, while Ed Bethell’s Regional also misses out following a bad scope.



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Asfoora and Big Evs face off again in Nunthorpe

Round three of the Asfoora and Big Evs sprinting rivalry will take place at York on Friday, with both Henry Dwyer’s Australian ace and Mick Appleby’s Breeders’ Cup hero declared for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.

The Antipodean raider took the scalp of Big Evs when sprinting her way to Royal Ascot glory in the King Charles III Stakes earlier in the summer, but Appleby’s son of Blue Point quickly gained revenge at Goodwood when shading a thrilling conclusion to the King George Qatar Stakes.

Goodwood third Believing is also amongst the 14 declared for the five-furlong Group One, with Adam West’s defending champion Live In The Dream and last year’s third, the Archie Watson-trained Bradsell, also in the mix, with the latter excelling on his comeback at Deauville.

Course-and-distance winners Regional (Ed Bethell) and Starlust (Ralph Beckett) add further spice to the contest, as does Czech speedball Ponntos who is sure to be leading the field along at a rate of knots.

Molecomb winner Big Mojo could make it a day to remember for Appleby as he steps up to six furlongs in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes.

Meanwhile, Charlie Appleby is represented by the unbeaten Shadow Of Light, with the handler seeking a second win in three years in the Group Two contest.

Hamad Al Jehani’s The Strikin Viking has gone close at this level twice since winning at the Knavesmire on debut, while Karl Burke’s Andesite also brings smart course form to the table.

The Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup is another highlight on the card and has attracted a field of nine, including Aidan O’Brien’s Point Lonsdale, Vauban for Willie Mullins and previous winner Quickthorn (Hughie Morrison).



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Big Evs and Asfoora ready to renew rivalry in Nunthorpe

Big Evs and Asfoora are set for round three of their summer battle after both featured among 15 confirmations for Friday’s Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Mick Appleby’s stable star narrowly came out on top in their latest head-to-head in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood earlier this month, as Big Evs held on by a short head from the fast-finishing Australian raider.

That result levelled the scores between the pair after Henry Dwyer’s mare had taken the first instalment with another impressive turn of foot to secure a one-length victory in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, with Appleby’s colt a further half-length back in third.

Appleby said of his charge: “He’s in good form. He’s all ready for the Nunthorpe.

“It’s going to be another tough race for us, but he can do his running. Hopefully the rain stays away from the course.

Asfoora wins the 2024 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot
Asfoora won the first instalment of her battle with Big Evs at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“It would be an amazing race to win, all Yorkshire trainers want to win the Nunthorpe. It would be a good achievement and I know Paul (Teasdale, owner) has been pretty keen to win the Nunthorpe for years. He lives near York, so it would mean a lot for him to win.”

The Rutland-based handler confirmed regular jockey Tom Marquand will again be in the saddle for the Group One on the Knavesmire.

There is no shortage of quality elsewhere, starting with Adam West’s Live In The Dream, who is aiming to successfully defend his crown from 12 months ago.

The Archie Watson-trained Bradsell, who came third in last year’s renewal, will be buoyed by his recent triumph in a French Listed race at Deauville under Hollie Doyle.

Regional split Big Evs and Asfoora at Ascot in June and will be aiming to go one better for North Yorkshire-based Ed Bethell this time around. He came fifth in this race in 2023.

Live In The Dream wins the 2023 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes
Live In The Dream won the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes last year (Simon Marper/PA)

Believing was only three-quarters of a length behind the leading pair at Goodwood for the in-form George Boughey and could take them on again.

Abernant Stakes winner Washington Heights represents Kevin Ryan, Ralph Beckett’s Starlust is targeting a third straight success on the Knavesmire this term and Ed Walker has regular Group runner Makarova.

Clarendon House could go for Robert Cowell, Michael Dods has lined up Azure Blue and William Knight may run Frost At Dawn

Czech raider Ponntos will start for Miroslav Nieslanik, Vadream continues at this level for Charlie Fellowes and Irish trainer Kate McGivern tests So Majestic in Group One territory for the first time.



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Monday Musings: Mick’s the Man

The Appleby “brothers” were at it at Goodwood last week, with Charlie first to the fore, winning the Sussex Stakes with the revived 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech and  the Group 2 Vintage Stakes with improving juvenile Aomori City, writes Tony Stafford.

You can always identify a Charlie Appleby runner, the Royal blue silks only ever modified by different-coloured caps when there are multiple entries. At Goodwood he ran only four horses over the five days, when hot sunshine and the avoidance of any of the promised thunderstorms [I found one on Thursday going home around the almost-flooded southern portion of the M25] were the theme of the meeting.

Charlie has one owner, Godolphin, and, according to Horses in Training 2024, 233 horses to pick from. The same publication at the time of the snapshot before the season started listed 102 for Michael Appleby, a journeyman who made his way out of the Andrew Balding stable into his own business around 20 years ago. At the end of last week, it was Mick, rather than Charlie, or indeed Aidan O’Brien, that was declared Champion Trainer at the meeting.

That 102, bolstered since by additional juveniles, is the result of hard graft, ever-improving results and continually punching above his weight. Local businesses, clubs and syndicates with shrewdies like the Dixon brothers through their Horse Watchers horses [and geegeez.co.uk! - Ed.], have hastened the upward trajectory. The weaving together of these strands has provided the cocktail of horses that benefit from the “Mick” treatment, with sprinters the foundation of it all. And, of course, he isn’t Charlie’s brother!

If ever there was a moment to evidence the culmination and flowering of the effort of those two decades, it was Big Evs’ winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita last autumn in a battle of three Europeans. He and Tom Marquand held off runners from the Adrian Murray and Ralph Beckett yards.

That was a fourth win in six starts, Big Evs having collected previously the Flying Childers at Doncaster, after sinking in the Nunthorpe at York the previous month.

One obvious observation in the aftermath of his finishing 14th of 16 against the top older sprinters is just how insensitive and crass it was of the stewards at the meeting to ask Appleby for an explanation for his “poor performance”. He’s a two-year-old for pity’s sake! Do you know nothing about horses?

Back home and with the US win on his scabbard, Big Evs made a winning return in a Listed race at the York May meeting. Royal Ascot the following month was a lottery for the most part in the week’s sprints so while ‘only’ 3rd to the Australian speedster Asfoora in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, he ‘won’ his race on the unfavoured far side.

The ultra-valuable King George Stakes last week was his first run since Ascot, and it gave him the chance to avenge the defeat. He duly gained that revenge - though only by a short-head - as the Australian mare was hunting him down in the final yards.

Big Evs was the sixth Mick Appleby runner at Goodwood last week and the fourth winner. The only two losers at that point were Billyjoh, second in a seven-furlong handicap – the longest trip any of the team attempted all week – and Mr Lightside in the Molecomb Stakes.

Mr Lightside went into that race as the better fancied (11/1) of the stable duo, but 25/1 shot Big Mojo, having dwelt at the start and raced in rear early, had the pace to come through and win under Silvestre de Sousa. Mr Lightside was a close third and will have plenty of wins to come given that sharp speed he showed.

Going into the Molecomb as a maiden – Big Mojo had, like Big Evs prior to his Listed Windsor Castle win at Royal Ascot last year, been runner-up on debut at one of the Yorkshire tracks, Beverley in his case – he was an expensive buy for the yard, and owners Paul and Rachael Teasdale, at his 175,000gns yearling price. Bought from Derek Veitch of Ringfort Stud, he clearly holds a high place in Appleby’s estimation. “He could be as good as Big Evs,” he said. Praise indeed.

Handicappers Kitai over seven furlongs and Shagraan, at the minimum trip, completed the winners’ roll for the stable, but there was still to be one last hurrah, planned for the earlier second finisher Billyjoh.

If Appleby could have moaned about the draw for Big Evs at Ascot, he would have been entitled to have regretted the one that got away after the also very well-endowed Stewards’ Cup on Saturday. Twenty-five of the 28 declared kept the engagement and Billyjoh, drawn four, led into the final furlong on his side of the race – they did edge across - finishing best of the 16 that kept up the middle.

Meanwhile George Baker’s six-year-old Get It had grabbed the near rail from the outset, leading clearly, and held on all the way, with major sprint handicap regular Apollo One getting closest for a staying-on half-length second.

Peter Charalambous earned a not insignificant £60k for his troubles with Apollo One but he must be despairing of the big win his wonderful servant at age six deserves. He couldn’t complain of the luck of the draw though – the first six came from 28, 27, 4 (Billyjoh), 24, 26 and 20! Peter pretty much is training just the single horse under the Charalambous/ Clutterbuck ticket, and the gelding is now up to £350k in earnings, 80% of it for places.

Get It was a notable local success for genial George Baker, once a wet-behind-the-ears writer for the long-defunct Sportsman newspaper, but ever the mine host over Goodwood’s entire week. He is entering a new phase of his career with a stable to be based in Bahrain over the coming winter.

I still remember pulling up at one of my 2009 trips down to the west of France, availing myself of the late Roger Hales’ driving skills. We were there at Le Lion d’Angers to watch the second of French Fifteen’s three consecutive wins down there and who should we bump into before racing but George, who had a runner in another race. Ever the ground breaker is George!

As usual, Ryan Moore’s skills were in evidence all week. Kyprios in the Goodwood Cup proved easy enough and was a testimony to Aidan O’Brien and the team’s skills to rehabilitate him from the severe injury problems of 2022 into 2023 to be the revived master stayer of his time.

Ryan had predicted he would be too good for what he described as horses that were “much of a muchness”, but in truth were decent 110-plus rated stayers all. Moore needed to be much closer to the peak of his powers though when completing a big-race double on Thursday aboard Jan Breughel in the Gordon Stakes and last year’s champion juvenile filly Opera Singer in the Nassau Stakes.

Each time it looked as if his nearest challenger might be about to pass him but Ryan seems to mesmerise his fellow jockeys in such situations. Opera Singer was the sixth winner of the Nassau Stakes – but only the fourth for Aidan O’Brien - for the Coolmore owners, starting in 2007 with the remarkable Peeping Fawn. Minding and Winter were the other two of Aidan’s within that 17-year period.

Like City Of Troy, her male counterpart as juvenile champion last year, Opera Singer is by Triple Crown hero Justify; and it seems the plan is to go for the Arc with this highly-talented filly. City Of Troy, of course, is pencilled in for the Juddmonte International at York this month.

Later, the juvenile newcomer Dreamy, by the Coolmore team’s other Triple Crown winning stallion American Pharoah, overcame greenness to win the fillies’ maiden under the same jockey to make it a Ballydoyle/Coolmore hat-trick, though each wearing different silks such are the extending tentacles of the co-ownership edges of the operation these days.

Eight years ago, the same maiden race was won by Rhododendron, but she had the benefit of a run in Ireland beforehand. A multiple Group 1 winner, she is, of course, the dam of Auguste Rodin. If Horses In Training is correct, Dreamy is the only American Pharoah two-year-old among the one hundred-plus juveniles at Ballydoyle. Someone knows how to pick which goes where!

Finally, as if three wins on the day for the team weren’t enough, Mrs Doreen Tabor had a winner in her colours that same afternoon at Nottingham, trained by Ralph Beckett!

- TS



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Owner Paul Teasdale revels in emotional Big Evs win in King George

The heart-warming Big Evs story continued at Goodwood on Friday afternoon, as Mick Appleby’s star sprinter darted to a super victory in the King George Qatar Stakes.

A rapid juvenile who flew home to land the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot on his second start last year, the colt then encountered totally different going at a damp Goodwood this time 12 months ago.

Soft ground could not stop him from landing the Molecomb, and although he was not able to serve it up to the older sprinters in the Nunthorpe he bounced straight back to form in the Flying Childers at Doncaster next time out.

A trip to Santa Anita resulted in an unforgettable success in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, and he silenced the usual questions good juveniles face about their ability at three when winning the Westow Stakes at York on his debut this year.

At Royal Ascot he held his own in the King Charles III Stakes, but missed out to the Australian raider Asfoora, who prevailed by a length with Regional behind her and Big Evs a further half-length back in third.

At Goodwood the Australians were back to claim more prize-money, but fan favourite Big Evs was the 13-8 market leader on good to firm ground with Tom Marquand on board.

In a contest that was perhaps slightly undersold by its Group Two status, Appleby’s colt blazed along, but faced a late challenge as Asfoora loomed up beside him in the final half-furlong.

In a neck and neck battle to the line it was Big Evs who just had the upper hand, doing connections proud once again in claiming victory by just a short head.

For Paul Teasdale, who owns the horse with his wife Rachael, the win was another chapter in an emotional story as Big Evs is named after a cherished late friend in Paul Evans.

“It means so much to us,” said Teasdale, who on Wednesday won this year’s Molecomb with the Appleby-trained Big Mojo.

Tom Marquand returns victorious aboard Big Evs
Tom Marquand returns victorious aboard Big Evs (PA)

“He’s amazing. He means everything to me. Because of who he is named after it’s always an emotional day, it’s quite tough now with the level of expectation.

“He’s fantastic. The good thing about him is he can take the early speed and then he can stay there, he can cruise at that speed.

“He can always finish as well, even when Asfoora came up to him, who is a great horse, we were pretty confident about getting across the line first.”

There will be more to come, and although the colt is set to bow out at the end of the season there is still a top-level campaign to be enjoyed as he makes his way back to the Breeders’ Cup in November.

“I think he’s quicker than he was last year, I think he’s got Breeders’ Cup written all over him,” said Teasdale.

“He’s going to the Nunthorpe and then we’ll go the Abbaye if the ground is right, then the Breeders’ Cup.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Big Evs holds off Asfoora in King George thriller at Goodwood

Big Evs just held off a late challenge from Asfoora to exact revenge in King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.

Australian raider Asfoora had bolted up to win the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, with the Mick Appleby-trained Big Evs back in third – but it was a different outcome on the Sussex Downs.

Winner of the Molecomb here 12 months ago, Big Evs led early as they burst clear of the stalls for the Group Two feature, although it was the Czech runner Ponntos that took it up.

As they approached the final furlong Big Evs rose to the challenge for Tom Marquand, with Asfoora well off the pace and seemingly out of it, before being shaken up by Oisin Murphy and finishing like a train on the outside.

Big Evs had done enough, though, holding on to secure victory by a short head as the 13-8 favourite. The highly-consistent Believing ran on well to take third.

Appleby said of his winner: “He’s a star, he’s an amazing horse. He’s one in a million, the best I’ve trained by a long way.

“Of course I expected him to win! I knew it’d suit him a lot better here than at Ascot, the ground was a lot quicker as well.

“He had everything in his favour here today and I thought he’d do it. He’s done it well.

“He’s massive to me, he will be retired at the end of this season so we’re trying to enjoy it. He’s been great for the yard, for everybody, great for Paul (Teasdale, owner) as he spends a lot of money and we love having him on board.”

It has been quite a week for Appleby, with this his fourth winner of the meeting and his second at Group-race level after Big Mojo’s victory in the same colours in Wednesday’s running of the Molecomb Stakes.

Big Evs disappointed in the Nunthorpe at York after his Goodwood win in 2023, but he looks set for another tilt at Group One glory on the Knavesmire on August 23.

Appleby added: “It’s unbelievable really, to think where I was 10-15 years ago to where we are now. We have some great owners now that support the yard – they spend the money and I get results like this. We have a great team at home that work very hard.

“They could both (Big Mojo and Big Evs) go to the Breeders’ Cup, it’s looking very possible.

Trainer Mick Appleby was delighted with the victory of Big Evs
Trainer Mick Appleby was delighted with the victory of Big Evs (Joe Giddens/PA)

“Big Evs will go to York, that’s the plan at the moment. He had a very hard race before York last year and it probably came too soon after the Molecomb, he was taking on the older horses as well.

“It was probably a mistake to go there, but we wanted to try to win it at two.

“Obviously I’ll have to have a chat with Paul to see where we go. We’ve got the Nunthorpe, possibly the Abbaye if the ground came up quick, which is probably unlikely.

“I would imagine that whatever happens we’ll be topping it off back in America.”

Tom Marquand and Mick Appleby following the victory of Big Evs
Tom Marquand and Mick Appleby following the victory of Big Evs (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Marquand said: “He’s fantastic. He’s literally got too much speed!

“Obviously, Ponntos has exceptional off-the-blocks boot early on and, to be honest, from the three to the two, he was eating up ground.

“I was trying to get half a breather in before I went and took the race. He just doesn’t want restraining. He’s got so much raw boot and trying to tame that, it almost feels like there is no point, because he grits down for you as well in that last 100 yards. You don’t need to save an awful lot on a track like this for him.

“He’s an exceptional racehorse and to come back at three as good as he was at two is pretty special.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns