Charlie Appleby sets sights on more Godolphin glory following Derby delight

Charlie Appleby is hoping to spearhead Godolphin's challenge for top honours at Royal Ascot next week after masterminding their first Derby victory.

The trainer admitted on Thursday that Masar’s triumph at Epsom was only just beginning to sink in, as he prepared for a mass Godolphin celebration of the Classic success involving both stables, the pre-training operation and the stud.

He said: “It’s been fantastic. There have been so many well-wishers and it’s been a real achievement for Sheikh Mohammed, his family and the whole of Godolphin. Where we are in the game we want to see competition and we want to be competitive.”

Royal Ascot is trumped only by the Dubai World Cup in importance for Sheikh Mohammed’s operation, which was second best to the Coolmore partners of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith in the race to be top owner at last year’s royal meeting.

The racing superpowers tied on six winners apiece last season, with Coolmore winning the inaugural award by virtue of one more second place, and Appleby has been occasionally frustrated at his inability to overhaul the Aidan O'Brien-trained battalions.

He said: “The Derby meant a lot to everyone. Masar ran well to be third in the 2,000 Guineas and Wild Illusion was the same in the 1,000 Guineas when she was fourth. We then went over to Ireland and couldn’t quite land a blow there either, so when we were second in the Oaks with Wild Illusion to Forever Together I was wondering what I had to do to beat the lads. Fortunately the Derby came along and changed that.

“At the end of the day you are only as good as your horses, but a lot is coming together for us right now with the breeding operation, Dubawi and getting the right horses. You’ve got to be competing and you’ve got to be competing in the best races at the top level.”

He added: “If you’re dropping out the back door then you ask yourself questions as to why that is. But if you keep knocking on the door and running consistently then eventually that door will open for you. That’s what we want.”

Appleby’s Royal Ascot team is set to consist of the likes of Wild Illusion (Ribblesdale), Hawkbill (Prince of Wales’s), D’Bai (Diamond Jubilee), Strings Of Life (Queen Mary), La Pelosa (Albany) and Beyond Reason (Chesham).

Blue Point wins at Ascot under William BuickCredit: Alan Crowhurst

However, leading the charge on day one will be Blue Point, who tackles the 5f King’s Stand Stakes after finishing last in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong in April.

Appleby said: “We were all a bit green travelling out to Hong Kong. We tried to take them on at their own game by racing handy and that didn’t go to plan. He had a troubled journey back as well but I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen at home. He did a seriously good piece of work last week and he’s showing all the right signs. He seems to like Ascot too.”

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