Desert Castle and Darkness Falls could clash in Dewhurst
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Mon 5 Oct 2026
Desert Castle will aim to confirm the huge impression he made at Doncaster if he lines up as one of seven possible runners in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
Trainer Charlie Appleby has a good recent record in the race having won it three times since 2019, courtesy of Pinatubo, Native Trail and most recently two years ago with Shadow Of Light.
A full-brother to two Group One winners, the son of Frankel oozed class in beating Sergei Diaghilev by three lengths in the Champagne Stakes at the Leger meeting and sets a tall standard.
Appleby has also left in the Dubawi colt Jassas, winner of two of his three outings to date.
Aidan O’Brien has won eight Dewhursts and one more will make him the outright leading trainer in the race.
Leading his team of three is the exciting Darkness Falls, who leapt to the head of the Derby betting when winning over nine furlongs at the Irish Champions Festival.
He would be dropping two furlongs in trip should he cross swords with Desert Castle on the Rowley Mile at the weekend.
Great Barrier Reef is another Ballydoyle contender, the Royal Ascot winner who lost his unbeaten record in the Round Tower Stakes, as is Raging Bull.
Roger Varian’s Rock Montreal, second to Forbidden Fire at Doncaster, and Andrew Balding’s Gentle Hurricane could also run.
Last year’s winner Beylerbeyi is ante-post favourite to follow up in the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap, for which 42 remain engaged.
Ian Williams’ six-year-old finished second to subsequent Prix du Cadran winner Caballo De Mar in the Doncaster Cup last time out.
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