Godolphin juveniles look to North America for autumn riches

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby believes Deauville is the perfect launching pad for talented two-year-olds set to make their mark at the back end of the season.

With this in mind, he sent over two well-bred juveniles to the Normandy track on Saturday - and both repaid him handsomely with noteworthy wins.

Al Hilalee, a Dubawi colt out of the former good mare Ambivalent, prevailed in a tight photo finish to win the Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l’Elevage, while Beyond Reason, a daughter of Derby winner Australia, made all to win the G2 Prix du Calvados by three lengths.

Checking on both, 48 hours after their respective races, Appleby said: “I’m pleased to say they have come back in great shape following their trip to Deauville.

“Immediately after the race, I said the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere was the likely target for Al Hilalee, and that is still a possible. But Newmarket’s G2 Royal Lodge Stakes is also in the mix,” the trainer pointed out.

Beyond Reason looks a filly with plenty of scope. William Buick sent her to the front early and dictated the pace throughout in another masterly ride. While the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and the G1 Fillies’ Mile both look suitable races in the short term, Appleby is also examining the possibility of a North American campaign for her.

“There is a juvenile fillies race in Toronto on Canadian International day (in October), and it is a ‘win and you are in’ for the Breeders’ Cup. If she win that, then she could progress to Churchill Downs,” he pointed out.

Appleby won his first Breeders’ Cup race when Outstrip landed the G1 Juvenile Turf in 2013.

The other major Godolphin highlight at Deauville was the triumph of much-travelled Talismanic, who easily took the G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron on his first run back since visiting Dubai in March.