Charlie Appleby was responsible for the hot favourite in 2022, with his 2021 Champion Juvenile, Native Trail, expected to take a lot of beating, having warmed up for the race with an impressive success in the Craven stakes at this track. Featuring prominently amongst the opposition was stablemate, Coroebus, who had the benefit of a course and distance win to his name, having landed the 2021 Autumn Stakes.
As ever, Aidan O’Brien’s powerful Ballydoyle operation looked to be strongly represented, with Vertem Futurity Trophy winner, Luxembourg, and Futurity Stakes champ, Point Lonsdale, both bringing strong two-year-old form to the table. Of those at bigger prices, Eyedon had impressed many with his Listed win in the Feilden Stakes, and dual Group 1 winner, Perfect Power looked like a major threat, if able to transfer his sprint form to this longer trip.
Result
- 1st – Coroebus 5/1, Jockey: James Doyle, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 2nd – Native Trail 5/4F, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 3rd – Luxembourg 9/2, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £283,550
- 2nd – £107,500
- 3rd – £53,800
- 4th – £26,800
- 5th – £13,450
- 6th – £6,750
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £7
- Tote Places – 1st – £2.35, 2nd – £1.01, 3rd – £1.95
- Exacta – £25.90
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £10.90
- Trifecta – £84.90
- Tricast – £31.64
Recap
Royal Patronage flew out of the stalls at the beginning of this one, to quickly find himself with a two-length lead over the field. Point Lonsdale was also prominent early, leading up the second of two small groups, which both stuck to the centre of the track. Native Trail seemed content to play a waiting game on the outside of the pack, whilst stablemate, Coroebus, was nearer last than first on the far side of the course.
Two furlongs from home, Native Trail was under a drive on the near side, whilst Aidan O’Brien’s first string, Luxembourg, was belatedly beginning to respond to pressure on the opposite side of the course, having become badly outpaced as the field began to quicken. Travelling best of all though were James Doyle and Coroebus, who moved up onto the heels of the leaders in eye-catching style. When Doyle asked his mount for more, he found a willing partner and pulled a length clear coming out of the dip. Native Trail slowly began to erode the deficit, but the line came in time, as Coroebus led home a one-two for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.
A first 2,000 Guineas success for the Newmarket-based trainer. For James Doyle, this was a first British Classic of any description, but his second would come just 24 hours later aboard Cachet in the 1,000 Guineas.
Runners
- 1. Berkshire Shadow – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Jason Watson
- 2. Boundless Ocean – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Jim Bolger, Jockey: Kevin Manning
- 3. Checkandchallenge – SP: 33/1, Trainer: William Knight, Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
- 4. Coroebus – SP: 5/1, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: James Doyle
- 5. Dubawi Legend – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Hugo Palmer, Jockey: Tom Marquand
- 6. Eydon – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Roger Varian, Jockey: David Egan
- 7. Light Infantry – SP: 50/1, Trainer: David Simcock, Jockey: Jamie Spencer
- 8. Lusail – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Richard Hannon, Jockey: Pat Dobbs
- 9. Luxembourg – SP: 9/2, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 10. Native Trail – SP: 5/4F, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
- 11. Perfect Power – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Richard Fahey, Jockey: Christophe Soumillon
- 12. Point Lonsdale – SP: 11/2, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Frankie Dettori
- 13. Royal Patronage – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Charlie & Mark Johnston, Jockey: Jason Hart
- 14. Tacarib Bay – SP: 125/1, Trainer: Richard Hannon, Jockey: Sean Levey
- 15. The Wizard Of Eye – SP: 200/1, Trainer: Stan Moore, Jockey: John Egan
Non-Runners
All Ran