Charlie Appleby Over The Moon With Ghaiyyath Being Named 2020 Horse Of The Year

Leading British trainer Charlie Appleby is over the moon with his star horse Ghaiyyath being named the 2020 horse of the year and is now looking forward to seeing what progeny he can produce now he has been retired to stud.

The son of Dubawi was during the start of his career known for jet setting all over the globe to win races which saw him land a Group One in Germany by 14 lengths a Group Two in France and also a Group Three in Meydan.

He headed to the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe on his final start two seasons ago and didn't run any sort of race but seemed to be a completely different animal last term.

He started in the Group One Coronation Cup at Newmarket at the start of June and saw off Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck along with three time Ascot Gold Cup winner Stradivarius, subsequently breaking the track record.

In the first weekend of July he stepped up for another Group One event at Sandown in the Coral Eclipse and although all the talk was about Enable's return, this horse was the one with the headlines after a stunning front running performance.

He stepped up again for the Juddmonte International at York as the favourite to beat and just like the Eclipse he set off in front and could not be caught.

However, having had a stellar season and being rated the best flat horse in the world at the Cartier Horse Of The Year awards, he was handed his first loss of the season when finishing second to the seven time Group One winner Magical in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

After that event Appleby was eyeing up the Champion Stakes or Breeders Cup meeting as possible options for his final race of the campaign but the team made the decision to not race him again and finish his illustrious career.

He now stands at stud where plenty in the racing world are looking forward to seeing his first crop of offspring, most of all his trainer Charlie Appleby an after now being named the Longines 2020 Horse Of The Year it is not going to be cheap.

(Credit ATR) Appleby said: “I’m obviously delighted, first for Ghaiyyath and also His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.

“It’s a much-deserved award, given what he did this summer – he wore his heart on his sleeve, and for me and the team he brightened this summer up in what we know was a testing season.

“All credit goes to the team and Godolphin and, most importantly, Sheikh Mohammed for allowing us to train a horse like this and allowing us to give him the time that was needed to come to the fore.

“I’ve been fortunate over the last couple of years to have him over 10 and 12 furlongs and then Blue Point over five furlongs, and both were at their best at the age of five – which is all thanks to Godolphin allowing us to keep them in training, so they can show what they can do as the finished article.

“Darley Stud were very keen to get their hands on him once they knew he was coming to the end of his career, and I’m sure he’ll be a prized asset. He’s a third-generation sire after Dubai Millennium and Dubawi – they all competed at the highest level. He’s got a fantastic pedigree and is striking-looking.”