At The Races Champagne Stakes |
|
| Group 2, Doncaster 14:00 £75,000 added, 2yo only, 7f, Class 1  |
|
| Saturday 12th September 2015 | |
1 Emotionless 8/13F
2 Ibn Malik 7/2
3 Palawan 7/1
NR: Mohab
6 ran Distances: 3½l, 7l, 2l
TIME 1m 27.49s (slow by 4.19s)
Darley bred Emotionless super impressive winning the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on St Leger Day
 |
The bookmakers took note and Emotionless is judged around an 8/1 shot for next year's 2,000 Guineas. A step up from Group Two to Group One company in the Dewhurst Stakes is likely to be the Godolphin colourbearer's next test.
Once settled and balanced under William Buick in the second half of the seven-furlong contest, Emotionless went past trailblazing Ibn Malik at will. "He has an immense amount of talent," said trainer Charlie Appleby, "and the fact that he is still able to show it while he's still learning is very good.
"He's shown today that he can act on easier ground, which is a bit of a relief as these are the conditions he'll get heading into the autumn. He is in the Dewhurst and the Racing Post Trophy back here, but he has so much pace that we'll stick to the seven-furlong route at Newmarket.
"He's a very exciting horse, with the natural ability to show what he can do even when he's still growing up. I am delighted for all connections and delighted for the boss. It's nice to have an exciting horse on our hands and that is potentially what he looks like. He has travelled extremely well and proven what he shows us at home. Everyone was very excited on the evidence of his first racecourse appearance and while I'm not saying winning maidens is easy, with the calibre of horse we have, you would like them to win maidens like he did.
"Most importantly, he has progressed from that maiden on to today. Full credit to the team - they have done a great job with him. William has been sat on him many a time at home and he's played a big part in bringing this horse forward along with Martin, Ollie, Marie and all the guys at home. It's a big team and they have all contributed in getting this horse here today."
Buick, too, was delighted with the big, scopey colt. "He was keen early on, but it was a slowish pace and he's inexperienced, so I don't hold it against him. He has such a lovely stride and he's an exciting prospect for the future.
"He had been pleasing us at home but you don't want go into these races from a maiden too bullish. We were very hopeful and he is the real deal. He has got everything and he's got the temperament to go with it, which is a huge plus. I was really, really impressed. There wouldn't be many that could lay up with him at this stage of the season."
The 7/2 second favourite led the field a merry dance for the majority of the race but proved to be a sitting duck under jockey Paul Hanagan as William Buick cruised up alongside him just over a furlong out before powering away in the final stages.
Hills was happy with the two-year-old after the race though and thought that they'd bumped into a very decent prospect.
"He's run a blinder," said the trainer.
"The winner is a very good horse. Ibn Malik was hanging just a little bit in the closing stages but I can't moan about the ground as it's fine out there.
"We were just beaten by a good horse. We've no immediate plans for him - we'll just see how he is over the next couple of weeks.
"He'll get further in time and should make up into a nice three-year-old."
At The Races Champagne Stakes (Group 2)
£75,000 added, 2yo only, 7f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
| Pos | Dr | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | (2) | Emotionless (IRE) 8/13f | W Buick 9-0 |
C Appleby | 2 | |
| 2nd | (3) | 3½ | Ibn Malik (IRE) 7/2 | P Hanagan 9-0 |
C Hills | 2 |
| 3rd | (5) | 7 | Palawan 7/1 | P J Dobbs 9-0 |
R Hannon | 2 |
| 4th | (1) | 2 | Kentuckyconnection (USA) 16/1 | S De Sousa 9-0 |
B Smart | 2 |
| 5th | (6) | hd | Beaverbrook 14/1 | G Lee 9-0 |
M Johnston | 2 |
| 6th | (4) | ½ | Lex Talionis (IRE) 100/1 | D Nolan 9-0 |
J F Levins | 2 |
| NR | (7) | Mohab 8/1 | G Lee 9-0 |
K A Ryan | 2 |
RECENT WINNERS
Year Horse Trainer Jockey Owner SP
2014 Estidhkaar Richard Hannon Paul Hanagan Hamdan Al Maktoum 10/11f
2013 Outstrip Charlie Appleby Mikael Barzalona Godolphin 13/8 jf
2012 Toronado Richard Hannon Richard Hughes Carmichael Humber 11/4
2011 Trumpet Major Richard Hannon Richard Hughes John Manley 7/1
2010 Saamidd Saeed bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin 5/6 fav
2009 Poet’s Voice Saeed bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin 10/1
2008 Westphalia Aidan O’Brien IRE Johnny Murtagh M Tabor, D Smith, S Magnier 100/30
2007 McCartney Mark Johnston Ryan Moore Sheikh Mohammed 8/1
2006 Vital Equine Eoghan O'Neill Richard Mullen Fasthandle Ltd 16/1
2005 DH Close To You Terry Mills John Egan Miss J A Leighs 8/1
DH Silent Times Eoghan O'Neiill Jamie Spencer John Fretwell 6/1
2004 Etlaala Barry Hills Richard Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum 6/1
2003 Lucky Story Mark Johnston Darryll Holland Abdulla Buhaleeba 2/1
2002 Almushahar David Loder Frankie Dettori Hamdan Al Maktoum 8/11 fav
2001 Dubai Destination David Loder Frankie Dettori Sheikh Mohammed 3/1
2000 Noverre David Loder FR Frankie Dettori Godolphin SNC 7/2
1999 Distant Music Barry Hills Michael Hills Khalid Abdullah 13/8 fav
