
Immersive hopes to regain winning thread in G1 Coaching Club American Oaks
The Nyquist filly emerged with plenty of credit when going down by a neck to Take Charge Milady in the Monomoy Girl Stakes at Churchill Downs in mid-June, in which the Godolphin homebred was making her first start of the season following a layoff with bone bruising.
In an outstanding juvenile campaign for Brad Cox, Immersive dominated her division with four imposing wins, including a hat-trick of G1 victories in the Spinaway Stakes, Darley Alcibiades Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: 'Immersive has trained like the champion she is since her extended spell off in the winter. Her comeback prep race was everything we could have asked for, except for losing her undefeated record.
'She had a bullet workout last Saturday, indicating her readiness for her first major goal of the season here. She didn't get an ideal draw down on the rail, but she dealt with the same issue last year in the Spinaway.
'Hopefully, La Cara doesn't get an easy uncontested lead, like she has in both her G1 wins, and is kept honest in front. Brad is very happy with Immersive's condition. We expect her to run very well and hopefully get back on the winning trail.'
Nash bids to secure a first Graded Stakes win in the G2 Alfred G Vanderbilt Handicap on the same card, with the Medaglia d'Oro colt having found his calling as a hold-up sprinter.
Runner-up to Preakness winner Seize The Grey in last year's G2 Pat Day Mile, Nash is two wins from three starts in allowance optional claimers since dropping to six furlongs earlier this season.
Michael Banahan added: 'Nash is coming into the G2 Vanderbilt in great shape and had a very good breeze last Saturday at his homebase of Churchill Downs. Last year, we were hoping that he would make it down the Derby trail, but that didn't work out and trying to figure out his preferred distance was somewhat trial and error. He appears to have found his home as a come-from-behind sprinter.
'He received one of the highest 2025 speed figures winning his last race, so now is the time to find out if he can replicate that in Graded company. This is a tough race and would probably be much the same field if it were a G1.
'We are hopeful of a good performance and, if he runs back to his last race, he should be very competitive, although he must seal the deal against Graded opposition.'
Rain key to Ancient Wisdom's Newbury chances: Ancient Wisdom looks set for a return to Listed company in the Steventon Stakes at Newbury in UK on Saturday providing the forecast rain arrives at the Berkshire course.
The son of Dubawi finished third on his sole previous Listed appearance in Ascot's Pat Eddery Stakes in July, 2023, with his nine subsequent starts all coming in Group races including victory in the same season's G1 Futurity Trophy.
Ancient Wisdom failed to act on quicker ground at Newbury on his four-year-old return but bounced back to form with a half-length second in the G3 Gordon Richards Stakes.
He was pitched back into G1 company for the Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs on his latest outing, in which he faded to fifth.
Trainer Charlie Appleby said: 'Ancient Wisdom has been gelded since his run in the Coronation Cup, and we feel that a mile and a quarter is probably his optimum trip these days. He wants plenty of cut underneath and would be an unlikely runner unless it's genuine good to soft ground.'
Meanwhile, Consistent four-year-old Casapueblo produced another valiant effort as he went down by half a length to Mont de Soleil in the G3 Grand Prix de Vichy in France.
Returning to the provinces having finished second in a Toulouse Listed race in April, the Andre Fabre-trained son of Le Havre was held up in sixth of the seven runners by Cristian Demuro for most of the 10-furlong highlight of Vichy's season.
Tito Mo Cen made the early running before Cambronne snuck up the inside rail to hit the front after two and a half furlongs. Cambronne continued to save ground entering the straight, with Tito Mo Cen leading the rest of the field down the centre of the course.
Casapueblo tracked Mont de Soleil as the eventual winner swooped to take up the running over a furlong out and the Godolphin runner saw out the trip well, edging out Woodchuck for second in the closing strides.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Gulf Today
Immersive hopes to regain winning thread in G1 Coaching Club American Oaks
Reigning Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Immersive looks to avenge a first career defeat on her return to G1 company in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga in US on Saturday. The Nyquist filly emerged with plenty of credit when going down by a neck to Take Charge Milady in the Monomoy Girl Stakes at Churchill Downs in mid-June, in which the Godolphin homebred was making her first start of the season following a layoff with bone bruising. In an outstanding juvenile campaign for Brad Cox, Immersive dominated her division with four imposing wins, including a hat-trick of G1 victories in the Spinaway Stakes, Darley Alcibiades Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: 'Immersive has trained like the champion she is since her extended spell off in the winter. Her comeback prep race was everything we could have asked for, except for losing her undefeated record. 'She had a bullet workout last Saturday, indicating her readiness for her first major goal of the season here. She didn't get an ideal draw down on the rail, but she dealt with the same issue last year in the Spinaway. 'Hopefully, La Cara doesn't get an easy uncontested lead, like she has in both her G1 wins, and is kept honest in front. Brad is very happy with Immersive's condition. We expect her to run very well and hopefully get back on the winning trail.' Nash bids to secure a first Graded Stakes win in the G2 Alfred G Vanderbilt Handicap on the same card, with the Medaglia d'Oro colt having found his calling as a hold-up sprinter. Runner-up to Preakness winner Seize The Grey in last year's G2 Pat Day Mile, Nash is two wins from three starts in allowance optional claimers since dropping to six furlongs earlier this season. Michael Banahan added: 'Nash is coming into the G2 Vanderbilt in great shape and had a very good breeze last Saturday at his homebase of Churchill Downs. Last year, we were hoping that he would make it down the Derby trail, but that didn't work out and trying to figure out his preferred distance was somewhat trial and error. He appears to have found his home as a come-from-behind sprinter. 'He received one of the highest 2025 speed figures winning his last race, so now is the time to find out if he can replicate that in Graded company. This is a tough race and would probably be much the same field if it were a G1. 'We are hopeful of a good performance and, if he runs back to his last race, he should be very competitive, although he must seal the deal against Graded opposition.' Rain key to Ancient Wisdom's Newbury chances: Ancient Wisdom looks set for a return to Listed company in the Steventon Stakes at Newbury in UK on Saturday providing the forecast rain arrives at the Berkshire course. The son of Dubawi finished third on his sole previous Listed appearance in Ascot's Pat Eddery Stakes in July, 2023, with his nine subsequent starts all coming in Group races including victory in the same season's G1 Futurity Trophy. Ancient Wisdom failed to act on quicker ground at Newbury on his four-year-old return but bounced back to form with a half-length second in the G3 Gordon Richards Stakes. He was pitched back into G1 company for the Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs on his latest outing, in which he faded to fifth. Trainer Charlie Appleby said: 'Ancient Wisdom has been gelded since his run in the Coronation Cup, and we feel that a mile and a quarter is probably his optimum trip these days. He wants plenty of cut underneath and would be an unlikely runner unless it's genuine good to soft ground.' Meanwhile, Consistent four-year-old Casapueblo produced another valiant effort as he went down by half a length to Mont de Soleil in the G3 Grand Prix de Vichy in France. Returning to the provinces having finished second in a Toulouse Listed race in April, the Andre Fabre-trained son of Le Havre was held up in sixth of the seven runners by Cristian Demuro for most of the 10-furlong highlight of Vichy's season. Tito Mo Cen made the early running before Cambronne snuck up the inside rail to hit the front after two and a half furlongs. Cambronne continued to save ground entering the straight, with Tito Mo Cen leading the rest of the field down the centre of the course. Casapueblo tracked Mont de Soleil as the eventual winner swooped to take up the running over a furlong out and the Godolphin runner saw out the trip well, edging out Woodchuck for second in the closing strides.


Khaleej Times
13-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
July Festival delivers historic milestone for Dubai's Godolphin stable
At Newmarket, the long-established heartbeat of British flat racing, Godolphin added another significant chapter to its illustrious racing story with a weekend to remember at the July Festival. The Dubai-owned stable proudly celebrated its 450th Group 1 triumph, while retained jockey William Buick marked his 2,000th career win. The defining moment came on Friday as Cinderella's Dream, a filly bred in the royal blue tradition of excellence, stormed to a stirring victory in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes to mark Godolphin's 450th top-level win since the stable was founded in 1993. Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Buick, Cinderella's Dream showed trademark grit and class as she fended off a determined challenge from Irish raider January, pulling half a length clear at the finish. 'This filly is all class,' said Buick, who was celebrating his 60th Group 1 win with Godolphin. 'She gave everything, and it's days like these that make the job so rewarding.' The victory was the centrepiece of a sensational Friday treble for the Appleby-Buick axis, with King's Charter landing the Heritage Handicap and Distant Storm taking the Weatherbys British EBF Maiden Stakes. Buick joins Racing Royalty But before Cinderella's Dream stole the show, Thursday had already delivered a moment of personal significance for Buick. In the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes, his masterful ride aboard El Cordobes brought home a victory that sealed his 2,000th British win, a milestone that cements the 36-year-old Norwegian-born jockey as one of the modern greats of the weighing room. 'I'm incredibly proud,' Buick said. 'To do it here at Newmarket, for Charlie and Godolphin, it means everything. I owe so much to my family, and to everyone at Godolphin who has supported me since I joined as a stable jockey in 2015.' Since then, Buick has won the British jockeys' title in 2022 and 2023, and ridden more than 150 winners in each of those championship years, including one in the coveted Epsom Derby in 2018 aboard the legendary Masar. The three-day July Festival ultimately reaffirmed Godolphin's deep resources and competitiveness, although Saturday brought mixed fortunes. The day's big story came from outside their camp, as former jockey-turned-trainer Richard Hughes delivered a shock result in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup (G1), saddling rank outsider No Half Measures to a stunning victory, two decades after he won the same race aboard Oasis Dream. Notable Speech, Godolphin's star miler and 2,000 Guineas winner who went into the race as the favourite, couldn't replicate that form and finished sixth in the six-furlong sprint. Al Basti's Commitment to Racing Race sponsor Al Basti Equiworld, a prominent equine industry supplier based in Dubai, was established in 1998, demonstrates a strong global commitment to top-level horse racing through both marquee sponsorships and holistic investment in racing communities worldwide. Spanning Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, and Dubai, their support includes high-profile races as well as grassroots initiatives like jockey development schemes, reflecting a dedication to nurturing the sport's future. Back at Newmarket, Godolphin did not leave the final day's race empty-handed. In the Group 2 Superlative Stakes, two-year-old Saba Desert overcame a stuttering start to power home under Buick, sealing Godolphin's eighth win in the race's history. The win was a nod to former champions like Dubawi, Master of the Seas, and Native Trail, who used the race as a springboard to elite careers. Trainer Appleby hinted at high hopes for the young Dubawi colt: 'Saba Desert did everything we could have asked for, he's a colt with real potential. He wasn't straightforward today, but that often brings out the best in the good ones.' With targets like the G1 National Stakes or Dewhurst now under discussion, Saba Desert may well be the next headline act from a stable that is showing no sign of slowing down. By the Numbers: Godolphin & Buick 450 Group 1 wins worldwide for Godolphin since its founding in 1993. 2,000 Career British wins for William Buick after Thursday's Princess of Wales's Stakes. 10 Group 1 wins for Godolphin in the 2025 season to date. 60+ Group 1 victories by Buick in Godolphin colours since 2015. 2 British Champion Jockey titles in the Godolphin colours for Buick (2022, 2023).


Khaleej Times
12-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
Hughes relives July Cup glory, Godolphin finds mixed fortunes at Newmarket
Twenty-two years after his unforgettable ride aboard Oasis Dream, Richard Hughes once again etched his name into the history of the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup, but this time from the trainers' enclosure, not the saddle. In a stunning twist to the final day of Newmarket's prestigious July Festival, Hughes saddled No Half Measures, a rank outsider, to victory in the prestigious six-furlong sprint, a race steeped in tradition and long considered the ultimate test of speed in British racing. Under a tactically astute ride from Irish ace Neil Callan, the 66/1 shot stormed down the famed July Course to claim the spoils, triggering emotional scenes and memories of 2003 when Hughes partnered Oasis Dream to victory for the late Prince Khalid Abdullah and John Gosden. 'This means the world,' Hughes said post-race. 'Riding a July Cup winner was special, training one feels even more rewarding.' For Godolphin, the Dubai-owned global racing powerhouse, the day brought a blend of disappointment and promise. Notable Speech, the stable's high-profile runner and winner of the 2,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket, failed to make an impact in the feature, finishing sixth despite high expectations. However, the blue silks did not leave Newmarket empty-handed on Saturday. Godolphin's Next Star Emerges In the Group 2 Superlative Stakes, juvenile Saba Desert delivered a gritty and mature performance to claim victory in a race that has launched the careers of multiple Godolphin champions like Dubawi ( 2004), Master of The Seas (2020) and Native Trail (2021). Despite an awkward start, where he reared as the stalls opened, the colt recovered smartly under William Buick, taking the seven-furlong contest with authority in the closing stages. It marked the eighth win in the race for Godolphin. Trainer Charlie Appleby praised both Saba Desert and stablemate Wild Desert, who ran third despite a troubled passage: 'Saba Desert did everything we hoped for and more. It wasn't a straightforward race, but he showed heart and class - signs of a serious horse in the making,' said Appleby. Buick echoed the sentiment, calling it 'a scrappy race but a real test,' and adding that the colt had "plenty of improvement" still to come. With a possible tilt at the G1 National Stakes or even the Dewhurst on the horizon, Saba Desert could yet be Godolphin's next headline act. While Richard Hughes basked in a career-defining win in one of Europe's most prestigious sprints, Godolphin will leave Newmarket with reasons to reflect and to look ahead with cautious optimism, having once again left their mark on one of the sport's most reputed stages.