You are here

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Charlie Appleby was appointed as a Godolphin trainer in July 2013, after 15 years working for Sheikh Mohammed as a travelling head lad, stable head lad and assistant trainer. 

Charlie was previously a keen jockey, riding in a number of point-to-points and amateur flat races. 

He saddled his first G1 winner in 2013 when Outstrip landed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita, USA. 

Charlie has recorded more than 1,000 winners, with his first domestic UK G1 winner coming in 2014 when Charming Thought won the Middle Park Stakes on Dubai Future Champions Day at Newmarket.  

He celebrated his first Royal Ascot winner in 2015, when Space Age won the King George V Stakes, and registered a further 14 victories at the Royal meeting since then. 

2017 saw him saddle four G1 winners around the world: one in Australia, two in France and Wuheida's scintillating victory in the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar, USA. 

 

Charlie Appleby in the winners' enclosure at Royal Ascot with Blue Point following his win in the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Charlie was crowned Champion Trainer at the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival and enjoyed a terrific Dubai World Cup night with two winners at the highest level, courtesy of Jungle Cat and Hawkbill, who won the Al Quoz Sprint and Dubai Sheema Classic respectively. 

A dream came true for Charlie in June 2018 when his charge Masar became the first Godolphin horse in the famous royal blue silks to win the coveted G1 Derby at Epsom. He also became Charlie's first Classic winner. Charlie recorded his second victory in the Derby with Adayar in 2021. 

Just 17 days after Masar’s famous win, Blue Point stormed to victory in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, becoming his first G1 winner at the prestigious Royal meeting and Godolphin's first winner of the race. 

And in November 2018, Charlie trained Cross Counter to win the G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington, just 4 four days after Line of Duty landed the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs, epitomising the Godolphin philosophy of pushing global boundaries and striving for perfection. 

Charlie has won the prestigious International Trainer of the Year award a total of five times. The award, presented in London, honours the trainer who has made the biggest impact globally throughout the year. 

In 2021, during an incredible year that yielded 17 Group and Grade One victories worldwide including an unprecedented three Guineas winners, Charlie was crowned UK Champion Flat Trainer for the first time. 

Between 2021 and 2023, Charlie trained Modern Games to win five G1’s across four different countries. This included two victories at the Breeders’ Cup and a Classic in the French 2,000 Guineas. 

Charlie divides his year between Marmoom stables in Dubai in the winter months and Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket, UK, the rest of the year.

A delighted Charlie Appleby with Modern Games after winning the G1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.