Godolphin‘s Royal Crusade added his name to what is fast becoming a powerful-looking juvenile team being assembled by Charlie Appleby with a winning debut at Newmarket on Friday.
The Shamardal colt, who holds Group One entries in the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes, hit the target at the first time of asking, holding fellow debutant Hot Summer at bay by a neck in the cjmurfitt.com British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.
Appleby said of the 5-6 winner: “It was very pleasing. We are not going to get away from it as his home work has been nice.
“We know the family and we were fortunate to have the mare in her racing career (Zibelina) and being by Shamardal you can’t go wrong.
“As William (Buick) said, he is a work in progress in respect that he was very green out there. He travelled for fun and there was nothing that could take him for long enough unfortunately.
“William said if he could have sat for a bit longer it would have helped him. He is a big, strong individual. We won’t rush him back. There are plenty of autumn targets there.”
Provided by Press Association Sport
