Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes |
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| Group 1, Newmarket 15:00 £275,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 6f, Class 1  |
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1 Shadow Of Light 11/4
2 Whistlejacket 4/5F
3 Dash Dizzy 40/1
6 ran NR: Ides Of March, Intrusively
Distances: 4l, 1½l, hd Time: 1m 12.29s (slow by 1.99s)
Shadow Of Light leaves his rivals chasing shadows, striding clear in the @JuddmonteFilms Middle Park Stakes, as @WilliamBuickX and Charlie Appleby team up for success once again 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RIFUV55NYq
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) September 28, 2024
Trained by Charlie Appleby and sired by Lope De Vega, Shadow Of Light was the second favourite behind Whistlejacket, following two wins and a strong second-place finish in the Gimcrack at York.
Ridden by William Buick, Godolphin’s 11-4 contender started at the back of the six-horse field. As the race progressed, he positioned himself well and, two furlongs from the finish, smoothly took the lead to secure a commanding win, finishing four lengths ahead of the odds-on favourite, Whistlejacket.
Appleby commented, “He wasn’t unlucky in the Gimcrack, but stepping up to this level taught him a lot. Physically, he’s maintained his form, but mentally, he’s progressed significantly since then. We were quietly confident today.”
He added, “We withdrew him from the Mill Reef last week due to heavy ground. With the ground drying out, we felt it suited us more than the favourite.”
Appleby also addressed the perception of focusing less on the UK, stating, “If I have horses that can win here, I’d rather win here. It’s less travel for me and the horses, but we’ll go further afield if necessary. We’re finishing the season strong with promising two-year-olds and some three-year-olds like Ancient Wisdom and Arabian Crown for next year.”
Aidan O’Brien, speaking about the beaten favourite, said, “He’s very fast, and Ryan (Moore) felt he could have gone faster in the first half. He’s consistent, and we might consider taking him to America now.”
Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (Group 1)
£275,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 6f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (7) Shadow Of Light 2 9-2 Charlie Appleby William Buick 11/4
2 (5) 4 Whistlejacket 41 D 2 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 4/5F
3 (2) 1½ Dash Dizzy 2 9-2 Charlie Johnston Tom Marquand 40/1
4 (1) hd Black Forza 2 9-2 M D O'Callaghan Colin Keane 12/1
5 (4) 2½ Jouncy 2 9-2 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 22/1
6 (3) ½ Defence Minister 2 9-2 Hamad Al Jehani James Doyle 7/1
NR 4 (8) Ides Of March 2 9-2 A P O'Brien NON RUNNER
NR 5 (6) Intrusively 2 9-2 Edward Bethell NON RUNNER
