Appleby's pick pipped on the line but future remains rosy
The Guardian|April 18, 2024
He had just seen his filly Dance Sequence, the third-favourite for the 1,000 Guineas, beaten in her Classic trial by the 18-1 outsider Pretty Crystal, but Charlie Appleby was still in a positive frame of mind after the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket yesterday, about Dance Sequence and life in general.
Greg Wood
Appleby's pick pipped on the line but future remains rosy

The 2023 campaign was, by any measure, a disappointing one for Appleby, the Godolphin operation's principal trainer, and especially so in the UK. He registered just two Group One wins in Britain, drew a blank in the Derby meeting, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and York, and finished eighth in the trainers' championship having won the title in the previous two seasons.

The main issue, which Appleby himself identified at an early stage, was a below-par team of three-yearolds, and while Dance Sequence's defeat was a minor setback, he is confident that it promises to be a different story this year.

"Yes, for sure," Appleby said. "We've only run a few [three-yearolds], and we've got a couple of colts tomorrow, and obviously Native Approach in the Craven [Stakes at 3.35], but I think we're in a better position with the stock that we've got.

This story is from the April 18, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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This story is from the April 18, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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