Appleby targets York before Arc challenge
GHAIYYATH is set to tackle next month’s Juddmonte International at York in advance of a possible second crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the autumn.
Charlie Appleby’s five-yearold tried to make all in the ParisLongchamp feature last October before dropping away, but he has been in stellar form so far this term. After winning a Group Three in Dubai back in March, Ghaiyyath has made a glorious European return – blazing to victory in the Coronation Cup before lowering the colours of Enable in the Coral-Eclipse.
A rematch with Enable is a possibility in France later in the year, but Appleby’s charge will first head to York next month.
Appleby said: “I’m delighted with him, he came out of his race well and the plan is to head to the Juddmonte International. Hopefully we can regroup after that. It’s always been the longterm plan to have another run in the Arc and on what he’s done this year he deserves to be there – but let’s get the Juddmonte International out the way first.”
Appleby is also mapping out a plan for Pinatubo, last year’s champion juvenile who got back to winning form in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville last Sunday.
After defeats in the both the 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes, Appleby was delighted to see the colt regain the winning thread and has his sights set on a Breeders’ Cup challenge at the end of the year.
He said: “The Breeders’ Cup Mile is something we’ll work back from. He’s got options for his next run – the Sussex is there, but that might come a bit quick after three quickish runs. There’s the Moulin or the Foret.”
Father and son trainers Aidan and Donnacha O’Brien have each been fined 2,500 euros and prohibited from attending race meetings in Ireland for two weeks for failing to enter the Curragh through the official health screening area at a race meeting last month.
The pair were found to have breached coronavirus health screening protocols on June 12, which was Irish 2,000 Guineas day during the week racing resumed in Ireland.
Speaking after the hearing, perennial champion trainer Aidan said that the breach was due to a misunderstanding in relation to the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board procedures.
He said: “There was nothing untoward about it, it was just a misunderstanding, and we are fully supportive of all the measures in place to keep racing going.”
The unique beach meeting at Laytown in Ireland in September has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The action usually takes place on Laytown strand, with the racecourse set up on the beach once the tide recedes for what is a popular annual event.
However, organisers have been forced to call off this year’s fixture, scheduled for September 1, due to concerns about how social distancing measures could be enforced.
Laytown Races chairman Joe Collins said: “We are in a unique position as we race under temporary facilities and our racetrack on the beach is a fantastic amenity, open to the public.
“The committee had too many concerns about how we could implement social distancing during racing, especially on the beach and in the village.”