Breeders' Cup next for "star of a horse" Pogo after Newmarket win

Charlie Hills hailed stable stalwart Pogo as a “star of a horse” after setting up a trip to next month’s Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland with the first Group Two victory of his career in the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Challenge Stakes.

Twice victorious at Group Three level this season the admirable six year old claimed a first victory at the next level up when going one better than in the seven-furlong prized in 2020 to give William Buick his 150th winner of the season.

Bounced straight into the lead by Buick the 7-4 chance was there for all to take aim at, but like he has proven on numerous occasions in the past the son of Zebedee was not for stopping.

Although favourite Sacred came with what looked a well-timed late run down the centre of the track it was not enough with Pogo pulling out more to score by a length and a quarter to set up a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Mile, which he was introduced at 14-1 by Paddy Power.

Hills said: “He had a good draw today next to the rail in stall one. He is such a star of a horse. He loves this track and he is just an amazing horse.

“He has been to most battles this year. He has very rarely come up short and just loves racing and loves the game. I thought he had a good chance here today.

“He is a really tough boy and he has got a great cruising speed. He travels and he wants it and he is aggressive. If every horse was like him it would be very easy.

“He is in the QEII at Ascot but hopefully will go to America now for the Breeders’ Cup and I think that will be the plan.”

Champion jockey elect Buick, who was deputising for Pogo’s regular rider Kieran Shoemark, had nothing but praise for his mount.

He added: “He was a great spare ride to get. Kieran Shoemark usually rides him but is obviously sidelined and will be back next week.

“This lad jumps out, relaxes in front and picks up when they get to him. He is obviously very straightforward and also very talented too.”

Jonathan Portman described Rumstar as a smashing little horse after providing him with a record-equalling third success in the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes.

Having sent out Royal Razalma to victory in the race in 2014 and Mrs Danvers to glory in the 2016 renewal, the Lambourn handler made it three wins from as many runners in the Group Three thanks to the son of Havana Grey’s latest victory.

Dropped back to five furlongs for the first time since finishing fourth in a Listed contest at Sandown Park in July the 8-1 chance saw his assured stamina come out on top when forging clear late on under Rob Hornby to prevail by three quarters of a length.

Portman said: “I was expecting softer ground but I’ve had this race in mind for a long time as I do like the race. I’ve only ever had two runners in it before and they have both won. He is a smashing little horse and he is a straightforward little horse.

“We are very lucky to have him. Everyone was saying why are you dropping him back to five but you need to stay here on this track. He is not slow and has speed as he has won over five and it wasn’t two years ago it was only two months ago.

“He has kept his form very well. We’ve not been too hard him since he was fourth at Kempton where he had a terrible draw.

“He should have been second that day with a better draw. I’m just pleased that the plan came off as I’ve a lot of faith in the horse. He is only little but he is so tough.

“With the stalls over the far side and racing down the middle I wasn’t too worried I was more cross with my draw at Kempton.

“It is rather important (getting a Group winner on the board). The big trainers are getting bigger and the smaller trainers are overlooked. We were lucky to get this horse. He was a home bred and we were lucky that the breeder decided to send him to me.

“I hope this has done my profile no harm. That’s it for him now this season. He will definitely go back up to six as he is not a natural five furlong horse but on a track like this you can get away with it. If he had to go seven he would get seven.

Despite being concerned about the drop back in trip Group One winning rider Hornby was impressed with the finishing effort of Rumstar.

Hornby added: “He’s a great horse to have. It is so nice for everyone involved and the whole team at Johnny’s - he is just a real joy. I was a little bit apprehensive about coming back to five but Johnny was very confident and just said get the job done. I also thought being on the wing like he was with the headwind might not be ideal but he relished conditions. He hit the rising ground great and galloped out strongly.

“He stays well and I thought in this higher grade of race he might get caught out but he has shown his natural speed and is growing up all the time. He was very relaxed on the way to the start today and is becoming a real professional by going about his work really nicely.”

Owner Roisin Henry was left dreaming of Classic glory next year after her “really special” filly Midnight Mile continued her amazing journey with victory in the Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh Sharp Stakes at Newmarket this afternoon.

Having been born by caesarean section, reaching the racetrack has been a victory in itself for the No Nay Never filly and she enhanced her profile when following up her debut success at Doncaster in July with victory in today’s seven-furlong Group Three prize.

As the field headed into the final quarter mile of the race there was little to choice between the runners with almost all holding some sort of chance before Lose Yourself and Small Oasis moved on inside the final furlong.

However, despite being checked late on, neither could stop the finishing kick of Midnight Mile, who went on to score by a head to give triumphant jockey Oisin Orr a winner on his first ride at the track.

Henry said of her 22-1 winner: “She had her first run at Doncaster and Richard said we will let her have a learning experience and she won which was fantastic.

“She then had a bit of break and we said we would let her have a bit of a run here today if the ground was soft enough. We didn’t expect anything.

“We thought it was another bit of education as it was another step up but that was fantastic.

“She was checked (late on) and I thought that had knocked the wind out of her sails but never mind. She was running well prior to that but she battled on and she did that in her first race to. She is a battler.

“This filly was born by caesarean section as they knew that the mare was in trouble so veterinary team in Coolmore and the Fethard Veterinary Hospital were amazing.

“When she was born they must have had 15 guys standing around her awaiting this foal. It was incredible. The fact we got a live foal was amazing and the fact the mare is still alive is amazing. She is really special.

“You don’t expect these kind of ones to go on to be race fillies. She is very well bred and we thought we would hang on to her. It is so exciting.

“I’ve dreamt enough now but if it doesn’t get any better than this that’s fine. The jockey gave her a super ride and he was very confident with her. He rides her at home so he knows her which is lovely.”

As for winning rider Orr he expects Midnight Mile to continue her improvement next season.

He said: “Through the race I was on and off the bridle and when we can down to the two I really asked her. I was just tight of room for a stride or two but I switched left she has quickened up nicely and done it well.

“She does everything well at home and has done nothing wrong on the racetrack so far. Hopefully she can keep on improving.”

Following today’s success, Midnight Mile was introduced at 14-1 with William Hill and 33-1 with Betfair/Paddy Power for the 2023 QIPCO 1000 Guineas.

Creative Flair signed off her career on the racetrack in perfect fashion after completing trebles for both William Buick and Charlie Appleby with a front- running success in the Newmarket Pony Academy Pride Stakes today.

Making the most of a drop in class the daughter of Dubawi secured her second victory of the year in the mile and a quarter Group Three contest to add to her success in the Group Two Balanchine at Meydan back in February.

Although failing to beat a rival in the Grade One Diana Stakes at Saratoga on her last outing, there was to be no repeat of that effort on this occasion with the 8-1 chance holding on in the closing strides by a neck from the fast-finishing Via Sistina.

Buick, who earlier teamed up with Appleby to score with Dream Of Love along with winning on the Charlie Hills trained Pogo, said: “She relaxed nicely in front but she has won over the trip from the front in the past. She is very comfortable like that.

“She is a Group Two winner in Dubai but it was lovely to get a Group Three under her belt in this country.

“They went very quick in America and she was a spent force well before the finish line. That shower of rain here beforehand didn’t go amiss either.”

Alex Merriam assistant trainer to Appleby, who was also on the mark with Al Nafir in the Old Rowley Cup, said: “We are very pleased with her and she settled nicely in front. The hood just kept the lid on her.

“Speaking to Charlie I would think that is it for her. She has won a Group Two in Dubai and a Group Three in Britain.

“There isn’t much else for her now so hopefully she will make a nice broodmare.”

Al Nafir might have a long way to go to match the exploits of his multiple Group One-winning brother Ghaiyyath. However he set up a trip to Dubai after turned what had been a frustrating season around with victory in the bet365 Old Rowley Cup Handicap at Newmarket today.

One of four runners in the race for Charlie Appleby, the son of Dubawi finally got his act together to score for the first time since signing off last year with victory in a novice event at Kempton Park to give the Godophin handler back-to-back wins in the race.

Pressed all the way to the line the 16-1 chance got the better of stablemate Wild Crusade by a neck under Pat Dobbs with Haunted Dream a further three and three quarter lengths adrift in third.

Appleby, speaking away from the track, said: “He is probably going to be one to make up our Dubai team now. He has got a fair mountain to climb if he is going to be anything like his brother but he is progressing.

“We know from three to four he will progress again. He will be one of those nice horses that will quietly build through the ranks and see what level we get to.

“It was a pleasing effort today and we will put him away now before getting him ready for Dubai.”

There was further success for both Appleby and Buick, who was earlier victorious on Pogo, after Dream Of Love made her debut a triumphant one when getting up by a neck in division one of the Godolphin Under Starters Orders Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (7f).

Alex Merriam, assistant trainer, said of the successful 6-4 Favourite: “The other two fillies had the experience running down to the dip there but she has hit the rising ground and picked up nicely. She is still a bit raw but hopefully there is a bit to work with.

“She probably hit the front but wasn’t quite sure what was going on but it was her first run and she was entitled to learn on the job. She had been doing everything nicely and we were happy enough with her at home.

“I’m guess we will put her away and look for something early in the spring.”

Joint trainer Oliver Cole saw his faith in Sumo Sam (12-1) vindicated with victory in division two of the seven-furlong contest, despite the daughter of Nathaniel proving a really handful both before and after the race.

Cole, who trains Sumo Sam in partnership with his father Paul, said following her short head success: “She is a big green filly and has been quite a handful. She is an exciting filly.

“On another day I think she is a lot better than that. I told Rossa (Ryan) I thought she would win easily today.

“She has done it the hard way as she has been overtaken and had to comeback. If she got a lead she would have probably won easier.

“She is a mile and a half filly for next year. We had to get a run into her for next year and where better to come than Newmarket. That would have done her the world of good.”