Appointed by Godolphin as replacement for the disgraced Mahmoud Al Zarooni in July last year, Charlie Appleby is, understandably, looking forward to his first Dubai World Cup meeting as a trainer.
Appleby has been an integral part of the Godolphin team for more than 15 years, initially working for trainer David Loder with the legendary Dubai Millennium, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s favourite horse.
Vancouverite and Cat O’Mountain will represent the trainer in Saturday’s World Cup, with Appleby saddling six runners in total across the evening.
Vancouverite finished an excellent second in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday on his first start for the yard.
Appleby said: “That was an excellent first run for us and he has come out of the race very well. That was over 1,800m and the extra 200m will suit him as all his wins have been at 2,000m.
“It will be his first race on a synthetic surface but that should not be an issue and hopefully he will run a big race.”
Having cut his teeth under Loder, Appleby switched to work for Saeed bin Suroor in 2002, travelling horses worldwide, including Crimson Palace, winner of the Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes at Arlington Park in 2004.
Crimson Palace had arrived in Dubai in 2004, winning on debut for South African Mike De Kock at Nad Al Sheba before being purchased by Godolphin for who she was fourth in the Dubai Duty Free.
Working through the ranks, he progressed to become an assistant head lad, then yard manager and a Dubai-based assistant trainer role,with responsibility for the Carnival horses.
After two successful Dubai winters in that role, he was appointed one of the head lads at Moulton Paddocks before becoming assistant to Al Zarooni.
He wasted little time training his first winner, Expressly, three days after he was granted his licence.
He finished 2013 with an impressive 62 winners, highlighted by the victory of Outstrip in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.
Appleby said: “We made a great start and to get a Grade I winner so soon was brilliant but I am so lucky to be given this opportunity to train so many really nice horses with a great team behind me.
“Obviously I am very grateful to Sheikh Mohammed for such a wonderful opportunity and we are all really looking forward to World Cup night where we have some nice runners.”
His six Dubai World Cup Carnival winners were highlighted by the impressive Long John, easy winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas and sure to be among the favourites in the UAE Derby on Saturday.
Appleby made a dream start to his first Dubai World Cup Carnival when his first runner, Ahtoug, won a 1,000m turf handicap at the first meeting.
One of six 2014 Carnival winners for the trainer, Ahtoug was an excellent second on Super Saturday and takes his chance in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint.
Appleby said: “He has been so consistent and does not know how to run a bad race – his worst run was when he was, basically, beaten by the draw.
“If you had told me when he won on the first night of the Carnival he would run on the big night I would have certainly have accepted that!”
Al Zarooni’s first ever runner was Calming Influence, winner of the 2010 Godolphin Mile, Appleby will also be hoping for a big night winner at the first attempt.
