Photo of New Approach Copyright © Steve McMillan 2008 No unauthorised use. Buy this photo and more at the Equishots website.

October 21 - The connections and fans alike of top-rated thoroughbred New Approach ahead of last Saturday's Champion Stakes (Gr 1) at England's prestigious Newmarket Racecourse were eager to see if the talented 3-year-old could pull of his third Gr 1 victory, and the Irish-bred colt did not disappoint.

But it was not just his six-length victory that wowed the vast Newmarket crowd, because New Approach - ridden to perfection by highly regarded jockey Kevin Manning - also succeeded in smashing the course record in a time of 2:00.13, and became the first Epsom Derby winner in 40 years to win the Champion Stakes.

If there is one sour note about New Approach's victory, it's that it will be his last. His owner Sheikh Mohammed of Darley Stables has decided to retire the chestnut colt and send him to stud as a stallion in the footsteps of his equally revered sire, Galileo. Still, at least New Approach's Champion Stakes win will not be forgotten.

It seems that from the starting gate Manning cleverly kept the colt relaxed and in check over most of the first furlong, allowing him to keep his energy banks topped up for what will be remembered as a superior finish. Despite having to claw his way past the heavily touted Twice Over, New Approach blasted his way to victory.

Six lengths later Twice Over came home in second followed by Linngari in third. Said New Approach's ecstatic Irish trainer Jim Bolger, 'We are obviously over the moon with the way he ran and I couldn't have been happier with him. He was in top form coming up to this week and this was the best I have had him all season.

'He is without a doubt the finest horse beyond a mile that I have ever trained and he has earned himself a well-deserved reputation as a true champion. It was his last run and he finished at the top of his game which nobody could ask for more. He has done everything right and now it's all over as he goes to stud,' he said.

During is relatively short career, New Approach earned his owners $3,900,467 and was named European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt in 2007. His various victories in 2007 included the Tyros Stakes, the Futurity Stakes, the National Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes. He will sorely missed from the horseracing scene.

Other Articles:

The Tiger Claws Way to Geelong Classic Win - 10-23-08

Bolger Celebrates Dewhurst Stakes Hat-Trick - 10-23-08

Royal Day Chalks up Win in Michaelmas Handicap - 10-22-08

Pick Six at Belmont Park tops $1 Million - 10-22-08

Excitement Building for Breeders Cup Classic 08 - 10-21-08

Samantha Miss To Hit In The 2008 Cox Plate - 10-20-08

2008 Breeders Cup Turf Loses Talented Runner - 10-20-08

2008 Melbourne Cup Runner Profound Beauty Injured - 10-19-08





2011/12/09 12:48:40 AM