Mick Appleby says he “never dreamed” he could take four winners to Glorious Goodwood after beating Aidan O’Brien to become the top trainer.
Win for Kitai, Shagraan , Big Mojo And Big electric car as well as a second from Billy johwas enough to snatch the title from O’Brien, who also had four winners but no second.
“It’s been fantastic for everyone involved—the whole yard and all the owners who support us,” Appleby said. “I never dreamed we’d be able to do it here. I love Goodwood—I love it more than Royal Ascot! I love it here. The horses are running well and we keep getting better quality horses.
“We believe Big Evs can win but we don’t have much confidence in the other horses. We know Big Mojo is quite good at home but going to the race and doing that is another matter.
“We were able to show what we can do. Big Evs was definitely the highlight and it was a great week for everyone. I imagine there will be a party for the team next week.”
Oisin Murphy finished level on Spell Master in the penultimate leg of the race and was named the leading rider with four winners.
He tied with four other winners along with Ryan Moore, who did not compete in the final two days due to work in the United States, but still took the title by seven seconds.
“I was lucky that Ryan had to go to the States,” said the jockey. “He rode four winning horses in three days and it took me five days to ride four. The second horses were very painful and most of them were for Andrew Balding, so thanks to him and his team, and sorry for not winning more horses.”
Coolmore ended the week as the leading owner with four wins, including Kyprios in the Goodwood Cup (G1) and Opera singer in the Nassau Stakes (G1), while Wathan Racing finished runner-up with three first-place finishes and five second-place finishes.
