D’bai strikes in G3 John of Gaunt Stakes

D’bai gained a first G3 success with a brave display in the John of Gaunt Stakes over seven furlongs at Haydock Park, UK, on Saturday, 9 June.

The four-year-old son of Dubawi, runner-up in the six-furlong Listed Leisure Stakes on his European return at Windsor on 21 May, was settled in fourth of the seven runners early on by William Buick.

D’bai, trained by Charlie Appleby, quickened smartly to take the lead entering the final furlong and gamely saw off the late challenges of Larchmont Lad and Tabarrak to prevail by a head in 1m 28.24s on good to firm ground.

Godolphin’s other runner Dutch Connection (Charlie Hills/James Doyle) kept on to come home a clear fourth.

Charlie Appleby said: “D’bai travelled very well today and really put his head down when he had to.

“He holds an entry in the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6f, 23 June) at Royal Ascot and we will keep the race on our radar, but he could also head for the G2 Lennox Stakes (7f, 31 July) at Goodwood.

“D’bai is a G3 winner over seven furlongs now, so it seems logical to keep him over the same distance, but the way he travels in his races suggests that a fast-run six furlongs could be right up his street.

“We will see how he comes out of the race and talk things over but I am delighted that he has won a G3 race.”

William Buick added: “D’bai is a very talented horse. He had a good winter in Dubai, winning a seven-furlong handicap, and things just didn’t go right for him in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort out there.

“Charlie used the race at Windsor as a prep for this and it has worked out nicely. He travelled really well throughout the race – I would have liked to have another horse to follow and been able to wait a little longer, but he stuck on well.”