Appleby doubles up on a productive Newmarket afternoon
Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby dominated a high-quality meeting at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile on Friday as Talk Of New York returned to the winner’s enclosure in the Joel Stakes and stable companion Fortitudine extended an unbeaten streak in the Godolphin Stakes.
Talk Of New York, who had been rated among the leading colts of his crop after finishing third in the St James’s Palace Stakes, started the favourite for the Joel Stakes at 4-9. Ridden prominently by William Buick, the son of Wootton Bassett took command inside the final furlong and finished strongly, recording a decisive victory by a margin described as four-and-three-quarter lengths.
“On what he achieved in the St James's Palace you had to come here with confidence and you had to put a line through Goodwood,” Appleby said. “But his preparation coming into here looked good and it helped he won here in the spring.”
The win prompted immediate discussion among the connections about potential targets later this season. Appleby noted that connections could consider supplementing the colt for one of the feature races on Qatar Racing British Champions Day, while he emphasised that the team are primarily working towards next season and the upper echelons of the mile division.
What the results mean for Newmarket and connections
For Newmarket racegoers, the display reinforced the Rowley Mile’s role as a testing ground for colts destined for international targets. Talk Of New York’s performance underlined why local meetings remain crucial in shaping campaigns for major autumn and future-season assignments.
Appleby highlighted a couple of factors that shaped the performance: recent runs, ground conditions and the colt’s physical profile. He said a little easier ground might be beneficial given the horse’s size and the way he hits the ground, signalling caution about immediate long-distance travel plans such as the Breeders’ Cup this year.
Less than an hour later, Appleby’s afternoon was further brightened when Fortitudine posted another victory in the Godolphin Stakes, taking his record to three wins from three starts. The double further cements Godolphin and Appleby’s fine run of form at Newmarket and beyond.
- Talk Of New York — Joel Stakes winner, favoured at 4-9, won by 4.75 lengths.
- Fortitudine — Successful in the Godolphin Stakes, now 3-0.
- Connections to consider supplementing for Champions Day; primary focus remains on next season’s targets.
| Horse | Race | Trainer | Notable detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talk Of New York | Joel Stakes | Charlie Appleby | Favoured at 4-9; won by 4.75 lengths |
| Fortitudine | Godolphin Stakes | Charlie Appleby | Undefeated: 3-0 |
Locally, the victories add to Newmarket’s reputation as a centre for elite flat racing and as a proving ground for horses being aimed at the season’s biggest prizes. For punters and racegoers who follow the Rowley Mile closely, the results will influence betting markets and entries as the season moves towards its climax.
Appleby’s comments about the colt’s preparation and the possible route to the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes — including referencing the supplementary stage should connections choose to enter — indicate that Newmarket-trained horses will continue to be prominent in discussions about the end-of-season feature races.
On the ground, Newmarket’s staff and the local racing community will take heart from a polished display by two of Godolphin’s younger talents. The Rowley Mile meeting provided stronger signals about how those colts might fare on the bigger stages to come, keeping the town’s role in elite flat racing firmly in the spotlight.
