Modern game trainer Charlie Appleby and owner/breeder Godolphin added another Classic success as he took an impressive win in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains (G1) May 15 at Longchamp Racecourse.
The 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner returned to perfect action under William Buick and edged his opponents in the closing stages to score a remarkable success against 66-1 outsiders the Texas .
The success of the 7-4 favorite is a vindication for Buick, who was narrowly debunked by his Appleby-trained colleague Coroebus during QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1) at Newmarket last month on board Indigenous trails while Tribalist also hit the bracket for Godolphin in third place.
Appleby said: “I said to William, try to get through it and if someone takes it off you that’s fine. He dashed into the stalls so fast he almost tripped as he stepped out of them… Ta is a professional horse and I’m very happy. With that performance, this was always our plan when we came here. His class showed.”
The son of Dubai was cut to 2-1 from 7-2 for Club Qatar Prix du Jockey 1 5/16 miles (G1), and Appleby could send him to Chantilly next month to keep his 3-year-old star away. separate.
“I always thought in my head that this horse could go a little further and I’d like to think it would be in the French Derby, but I can’t say for sure,” said Appleby. “It’s great to try and keep Coroebus, Native Trail, and this guy different, but it’s great to be able to plan with them.”
Buick is more confident sending Modern Games to Chantilly, with the driver saying this should be the next obvious target.
“He had a good draw, which is especially important in this race, and he showed he’s well-trained,” said Buick. “He’s a horse that goes through his gears and keeps finding ways to get to the line.
“It’s hard to say if he’ll stay, but you won’t find out until you try. There are pitfalls in his pedigree that suggest he will stay and you definitely have to. there’s a crack. It’s the logical step.”
Modern Games made $595,348 over two seasons with Appleby. In seven starts, he has a 5-1-0 record, failing to break through the table in just his career debut. He ended his teenage year with a win at the Tattersalls Somerville Stakes (G3) and a Breeders’ Cup win in November in the US.
