Stakes Quotes: JEBEL HATTA (GROUP 1)

JEBEL HATTA (GROUP 1)

$400,000 | 1800m (turf)

Winner: BARNEY ROY
Pedigree: Excelebration – Alina (Galileo)
Owner: Godolphin      
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Official Time: 1:46.09 (new stakes record)
Track Record: 1:45.52 – Just A Way, 2014
Previous Stakes Record (Meydan Turf): 1:47.53 – Blair House, 2018
Margin of Victory: 1¾ Lengths

William Buick, Jockey, BARNEY ROY (1st)—“I’m very happy with it. We had a very tricky draw in 12 and I had to ride him the way I did. There were a lot of horses in the race with very little chance, but we still had to pass them all. He travels very strongly into the race. I brought him out into the straight and he picked them up easily. He has a nice cruising speed, which is helped by his big stride, but also he loves a flat track like Meydan, where he can use that stride. It’s a testament to the horse and the team at home, who have done a great job with him ever since he stepped into the yard.”

Charlie Appleby, Trainer, BARNEY ROY, MAGIC LILY & SPOTIFY (1st, 2nd & 3rd)—“From that draw in 12, we decided we would have to ride him for luck. The horse has not made that easy for William, but that was a great ride in the circumstances. The horse is just so enthusiastic and keen to get on with things, but once William had him on an even keel in the straight, he was always going to win. He will go to the Dubai Turf and Magic Lily may do so as well. She has had a brilliant year at Meydan. Spotify had run very well also.”

Mickael Barzalona, Jockey, MAGIC LILY (2nd)—“She ran well. I got her into position and she saved ground on the bend and picked up nicely.”

James Doyle, Jockey, SPOTIFY (3rd)—“I’m very pleased with him. He seems to like the weather in Dubai and he has improved each year. For him to run a place in a Group 1 like that is just fantastic and I’m delighted with him.”

-END-