Most expensive two-year-old in Europe makes his debut for Pinatubo's trainer

Watch Racing For Free On Betfair EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes | 6f | 2yo | RTV

It was 2,000 Guineas that Charlie Appleby was worrying about on Saturday – 24 hours later the key figure is 3.6 million guineas.

That was the price Godolphin paid for Noble Dynasty at the Tattersalls Book 1 sale in Newmarket last October, getting the better of a bidding duel with old rivals Coolmore to secure the most expensive yearling sold at public auction in Europe in 2019.

His pedigree made him a choice lot, as he is by top sire Dubawi and a half-brother to St James's Palace Stakes winner Barney Roy, who scored in Group 1 company for Pinatubo's trainer in Dubai in March.

Godolphin deny old rivals Coolmore to land 3.6m gns half-brother to Barney Roy

Noble Dynasty makes his debut in a 6f maiden, one of four Godolphin debutants alongside stablemate Modern News, Teofilo's half-brother Future Vision (Saeed Bin Suroor) and Barber Of Seville (John Gosden).

William Buick rides Noble Dynasty and Appleby said: "He's a strong individual and we're looking forward to him having his first run but whatever he does he'll be a better horse over seven furlongs. That said he's shown us plenty of potential at home and we expect him to run a nice race."

Four others to watch on Sunday

Communique1.50 Newmarket
Last season's Jockey Club Stakes and Princess of Wales's Stakes winner returns to Newmarket, reverting back to Listed company for the first time since he won the Godolphin Stakes there in 2018. In the Buckhounds Stakes he meets progressive four-year-olds First In Line and Trueshan at level weights.

Space Blues3.15 Haydock
This is another class horse dropping back to Listed grade, doubtless for a Royal Ascot warm-up. He was beaten just a head in the Jersey Stakes at the meeting and went on to be placed in Group 1 events won by Too Darn Hot and Advertise at Deauville later last summer.

Liberty Beach4.25 Haydock
While her contemporaries tackle a mile in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, this high-class three-year-old filly sticks to six furlongs in the Listed Cecil Frail Stakes at Haydock. She won the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood for John Quinn last year and went on to finish second in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York.

King LeonidasThis 750,000gns son of Kingman made an impressive winning debut at Newmarket last autumn and takes the next step up the ladder when he returns there for a novice event. Frankie Dettori again rides the John Gosden-trained colt, whose main rival looks to be Godolphin's Eastern World.

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