Noble Dynasty & King Of Conquest strike at Newmarket

Noble Dynasty repelled Nostrum to secure a first G3 success in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket, UK, on Saturday, 29 June, with King Of Conquest notching back-to-back Listed wins on the same card.

A half-brother to Barney Roy, Noble Dynasty had shaped with promise on his only previous G3 appearance in the Ras Al Khor in March before dominating a handicap at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting.

The Charlie Appleby-trained six-year-old broke smartly and raced in second behind Pogo before switching over towards the stands’ side to track Dear My Friend with just over half a mile to race.

Noble Dynasty quickened to take up the running over a furlong from home and responded well for William Buick, comfortably seeing off Nostrum’s late bid for a three-quarter length success.

Charlie Appleby said: “Noble Dynasty has been a consistent horse this year and we are delighted to see him win a G3 race. He is similar to King Of Conquest in that they are both lead horses at home in the mornings but can do a good job in the afternoons as well.

“We will potentially look at the G2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood and he deserves a crack at a race like that. He showed his versatility on the quicker ground today, which has always been a slight concern. William said he let himself down on it, so it opens up a few more options.”

King Of Conquest put up a tenacious display to deny Aimeric for a second successive time in the Listed Fred Archer Stakes.

Nearly three lengths had separated the duo in the Listed Tapster Stakes at Goodwood earlier in the month, although the Charlie Appleby-trained King Of Conquest was carrying a 3lb penalty for that victory.

Kemari and Crystal Delight disputed the early running in the 12-furlong contest, with King Of Conquest steadied in fourth of the six runners under William Buick.

King Of Conquest moved up to press for the lead as the front duo started to fade approaching the two-furlong pole and went on with Aimeric entering the final furlong.

Both horses battled all the way to the line, with King Of Conquest finding more to prevail by a neck. Deauville Legend took third, four and a half lengths adrift.

Charlie Appleby added: “King Of Conquest is an honest horse who needs a gallop. He ran in the G2 Jockey Club Stakes at the Guineas meeting and it became a tactical affair, which doesn’t work for him.

“I think we will keep him in the UK. We have spoken before about taking him abroad, but he doesn’t have that tactical pace. You need to travel on sharper tracks and he’s always behind the bridle, but he enjoys racing that way.

“We will probably give him a little break and think about whether to possibly step him up to a mile and six furlongs. All the evidence suggests that he will appreciate the extra distance.”