Nations Pride stamps class on G2 Singspiel Stakes

International star Nations Pride returned to the level of form that saw him capture four G1 races with a comfortable victory in the G2 Singspiel Stakes Sponsored By Emirates Airline on Emirates Super Saturday, 1 March. 

The Charlie Appleby-trained six-year-old, making his first Meydan appearance since finishing a close third in the 2023 G1 Dubai Turf, soon settled a length and a half behind Cairo in second. 

Having stayed on to take up the running a furlong and a half out, Nations Pride rallied when Holloway Boy launched a strong challenge entering the final furlong. 

Nations Pride continued to respond for William Buick and the Teofilo entire reasserted in the final strides to prevail by a length and a quarter over Holloway Boy. G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes winner First Conquest made late gains to take third, a further two and a half lengths in arrears. 

Charlie Appleby said: “Nations Pride has booked his ticket for the Dubai Turf. He will probably be up against it with Romantic Warrior in the field, but he will be a legitimate runner. First Conquest will head back to Newmarket now and we will have a think about where to go next.” 

William Buick added: “Nations Pride got lost the last couple of times he ran for no apparent reason, although possibly the track at Gulfstream did not suit him. He is generally an ultra-consistent horse and so uncomplicated. I love him and the team have done a great job to get him back here. 

“I think he will step forward from this. We all know how good Romantic Warrior is, and the Dubai Turf will be no easy task. Nations Pride was third in the race a couple of years ago. The track and trip are perfect, so why not?”