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Dubai Dewhurst Stakes 2012 |
Dawn Approach Crowned Dewhurst Champion
13/10/12
1 Dawn Approach 30/100F
2 Leitir Mor 33/1
3 George Vancouver 16/1
6 ran Distances: 2¾l, ¾l, 4l
TIME 1m 24.00s (slow by 1.30s)
Dawn Approach made it six out of six when registering a comfortable two and three-quarter length success in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes. Partnered by Kevin Manning, the 30/100 favourite briefly looked as if he may be in trouble but show a devastating turn of foot in the final furlong to push aside stablemate Leitir Mor.
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For trainer Jim Bolger, this was his fifth success in seven years in the very prestigious seven-furlong event following the victories of Teofilo (2006), Dawn Approach’s sire New Approach (2007), Intense Focus (2008) and Parish Hall (2011).
After Dawn Approach’s victory at Royal Ascot in June, he was sold to Godolphin and speaking after the race, Godolphin’s founder and driving force Sheikh Mohammed said: “Today is a great day and we are very happy.
“I was impressed with Dawn Approach when he won his maiden and I thought that he was a good horse. I could have been wrong - I could have bought a bad horse - but, thank God, we were lucky.
“Good horses always find something and Insha'Allah he will be back for the 2000 Guineas. I think that he will get a mile or a mile and a quarter but I don't know if he is a Derby horse yet. I think the trainer will see.”
When asked if Dawn Approach would remain in training with Bolger, Sheikh Mohammed replied: “Yes.”
Jim Bolger commented: “There were no real anxious moments today. He just has a lazy style of racing. Once Kevin wound him up, there were never any concerns.
“Kevin says he will get further but I think he we start off over a mile next year and take it from there.
“I don’t know how my record compares to others people in the race as I haven’t looked at the statistics. We like to target the Dewhurst because we always receive a warm welcome here at Newmarket.”
When told he had won the Darley Dewhurst Stakes five times in seven years, Bolger added: “I am just wondering what happened the other two years!”
Kevin Manning added: “We have been very fortunate over the last few years to have such good two-year-olds and he is another one of those.
“It was a proper run race and, two down, he just always hits his flat spot for a couple of strides until he gets into top gear. I know the horse and I knew that there was plenty there. Once he hit the rising ground, he has really gone away.
“He is developing all the time and is a fine big horse. Today was the plan and I will leave plans for next year to the boss.”
Simon Crisford, racing manager for Godolphin, said: “He will be prepared for the 2000 Guineas. Kevin Manning feels the horse will get further than a mile and he could be aimed at the major 10-furlong summer race next years but the Guineas is the initial plan.
“He stays with Jim Bolger and that is Sheikh Mohammed’s decision.
“He won’t run again this year and goes back to Ireland.”
Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1)
£300,000 added, 2yo only, 7f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Soft
| Position |
Horse Trainer |
Jockey Weight |
Starting Price Beaten Distance |
| 1 |
Dawn Approach J S Bolger |
K J Manning 9st 1lbs |
3 - 10 Winner |
| 2 |
Leitir Mor J S Bolger |
R P Whelan 9st 1lbs |
33 - 1 2 3/4 lengths |
| 3 |
George Vancouver A P O'Brien |
J P O'Brien 9st 1lbs |
16 - 1 3/4 length |
| 4 |
Ashdan J H M Gosden |
William Buick 9st 1lbs |
9 - 2 4 lengths |
| 5 |
The Ferryman A P O'Brien |
R L Moore 9st 1lbs |
14 - 1 2 1/2 lengths |
| 6 |
Funk Soul Brother C Hills |
M Hills 9st 1lbs |
100 - 1 4 lengths |
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Adian O’Brien expressed himself pleased with his charge, George Vancouver, who finished third. “He ran well” the trainer commented after the race.
Joseph O’Brien, who rode the Henrythenavigator colt for his father, added: “He ran well and was nice and relaxed but the winner just found a little bit more.”
John Gosden, who sent out the fourth, Ashdan, from his Newmarket base, said: “The champion two-year-old has been crowned, and I think in the vision.ae Middle Park you saw the second champion two-year-old. It has been phenomenal racing so far and fast times. This is real high quality racing and run at a true pace. This (Dubai Dewhurst Stakes) race was run like a sprint, fast all the way and it was a good Dewhurst.
“This is probably the best ground left in Europe. I am delighted with Ashdan. He is not really wordly enough for that and he is bred to stay a lot further so it is a nice run but this was all a little bit quick and a bit sudden. To go from an un-raced colts maiden to a conditions race to this is a big jump - but he is a horse for next year. These are proper Guineas horses.”
