Charlie Appleby and William Buick target another Grade 1 in North America with Diamond Rain

William Buick heads to Canada this weekend as Charlie Appleby eyes more Grade 1 glory in North America with Diamond Rain in the E P Taylor Stakes (9.14) at Woodbine on Saturday evening.

The Godolphin filly will race outside of Britain and at the highest level for the first time, but she is unbeaten in two starts this season and is finally fulfilling the big potential she showed at the start of last year.

The daughter of 2011 Oaks winner Dancing Rain was sent off at just 3-1 in the Ribblesdale Stakes last June on the back of two wins, but she was last at Royal Ascot and well beaten by Estrange in Listed company at the end of her three-year-old season.

Diamond Rain has thoroughly bounced back though, with strong victories in the Hedge of Oak Stakes at Haydock in May and a month later in Newcastle's Group 3 Hoppings Fillies' Stakes. 

Appleby, who claimed top-level honours with El Cordobes at Saratoga last week, has yet to win this race, although came close in 2023 when With The Moonlight finished second to the ex-Richard Fahey-trained Fev Rover. 

The trainer expects She Feels Pretty to set a high standard. She was narrowly denied a fifth top-level success when beaten a head by Excellent Truth in the Diana Stakes at Saratoga last month.

Appleby said: “This will be Diamond Rain’s first start outside of Britain and she has shipped in well. It looks as though we all have She Feels Pretty to beat, although our filly has done nothing wrong so far this season.

“Diamond Rain likes the trip and the wide turf course at Woodbine should also help. The only unknown is the fact she is racing in North America for the first time, and the different style of racing can sometimes catch horses out. We hope that she can be there at the business end of the race and show us she belongs at this level.”

The home challenge is led by Ready For Shirl, who was a narrow Grade 2 winner at the track last time.

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