Space Blues Powers Home in Foret

Charlie Appleby predicted a war of attrition on desperate ground in the Oct. 3 Qatar Prix de la Foret (G1) but victory proved far smoother for Space Blues , who powered through the mud to record his fifth group success.

Godolphin's 5-year-old missed the last two runnings of the Foret due to setbacks but made up for lost time when stretching clear of the Paddy Twomey-trained Pearls Galore  under William Buick.

It was a positive end to a mixed day for the trainer, who claimed third and fourth in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) with Hurricane Lane  and Adayar , as well as second in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium, G1) with juvenile Noble Truth .

The meeting may not have belonged to Godolphin as expected, nor Appleby, who has won seven top-level races this year, but the trainer was all smiles as he collected the trophy with his daughter Edith.

"I'm delighted with this old boy—he's one of the yard favorites," said Appleby after his first victory in the group 1. "Space Blues is a push-button ride and William rode him last week in an electric piece of work, the best he's ever done, so he was a worthy favorite." 

The seven-furlong specialist finished fourth in the Unibet Lennox Stakes (G2) on his seasonal reappearance before winning the Sky Bet City of York Stakes (G2) in August, after which he was put away before his big day at ParisLongchamp.

"I've been trying to get him here for three years and unfortunately the poor old fella won his prep races and then met with setbacks," said Appleby. "We were always working back from the Foret and I was delighted with his fourth on soft ground at Goodwood as he came on for the run.

"He put up one of his best performances in the City of York Stakes and we then decided to put him in bubble wrap. He was in the best form of his life after a break and William rode him with confidence.

"He kept punching away up the straight. He travels for fun and he's a class horse. I saw William filling him up and I knew it was only a matter of time before he pushed the button. He then put the race to bed smoothly and might have booked himself a ticket to Del Mar."

Appleby said Space Blues may not stay in training next season, but could be set for a swansong in next month's FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1T).