APPLEBY HAS THE WISDOM
ANCIENT WISDOM had the know-how to end a troubled season on a high for Charlie Appleby with victory in the Group 1 Kameko Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.
Since landing the top-level Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May with Modern Games, the Godolphin trainer has found pickings very slim on the domestic front.
But two-year-olds Arabian Crown and Ancient Wisdom gave Appleby (right) hope for 2024 with Group 3 successes at Newmarket two weeks before the latter justified his £17,500 entry, and status as the 5-4 nap, in the final Group 1 of the UK campaign.
Making the early running under Will Buick, Ancient Wisdom was headed entering the final two furlongs of the mile test but battled back through hock-deep mud to hold 16-1 shot Devil’s Point by a length and three-quarters.
“Even on that ground, the last furlong when he levelled up I thought he showed a bit of brilliance today,” said Buick. “He’s done nothing but strengthen all year, so a winter on his back will do him even better.”
This century’s Futurity Trophy honour roll has the winners of 11 British Classics – five Derbies, four 2,000 Guineas and two St Legers.
Ancient Wisdom’s triumph saw the son of Dubawi cut to 6-1 second favourite for next year’s Betfred Derby – he can be backed at 10-1 for the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas – and Buick added: “He’s not short of pace. “I certainly think he’ll stay a mile and a quarter and he’s a two-year-old – they usually go a mile and a half later.” The start was delayed by 16 minutes after Aidan O’brien’s Battle Cry, stablemate of 9-4 second favourite Diego Velazquez, reared in the stalls and was withdrawn.
Both horse and rider Ben Curtis were unhurt but, after watching Velazquez return sixth of the seven contestants, O’brien said: “He got upset after what happened to the other fellow. When it happens, their heart-rate can go through the roof. They can only do that once.”