World racing giant Godolphin has moved quickly to purchase a majority share in unbeaten Irish juvenile Dawn Approach, the early favourite for next year’s English Two Thousand Guineas.
The son of English Derby winner New Approach, a close relation to Lynward Park’s Alfred Nobel, secured his fourth success with a convincing win in last week’s Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Godolphin have confirmed that Dawn Approach will remain with current trainer Jim Bolger for the rest of his juvenile campaign but will race in their colours. He was owned by Bolger’s wife.
A decision about his three-year-old career would not be made till “much later” this year.
New Approach was initially owned and trained by Bolger. He was also purchased by Godolphin and ran in the colours of Princess Haya of Jordan, the junior wife of Godolphin chief Sheikh Mohammed, during his Classics year.
He now stands at Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley Stud and is having a spectacular first season with Dawn Apporoach one of three Royal Ascot winners for him from just three runners, a feat never previously accomplished.
Newfangled won the Group 3 Albany Stakes and Tha’ir the Listed Chesham Stakes. Dawn Approach and Newfangled are now the highest rated Timeform juvenile colt and filly in Europe.
New Approach is both leading European first season sire and leading sire of two-year-olds.
“It is fantastic how well New Approach has started his stallion career,” said Simon Crisford, Sheikh Mohammed’s racing manager. “And Dawn Approach appears to have inherited many of his qualities.”