Native Trail scoops Irish 2000 Guineas for Godolphin to complete Classic grand slam

Oasis Dream colt bounces back to stretch his career record to six wins and a second

Trainer Charlie Appleby (right), jockey William Buick and Native Trail in the parade ring after winning The Irish 2,000 Guineas at Curragh racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland, on May 21. PA

Native Trail scooped the Irish 2000 Guineas for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby to complete their European Classic grand slam at the Curragh on Saturday.

With the English and French equivalents already in the bag following the success of Coroebus and Modern Games, Native Trail with William Buick in the saddle completed the 2000 Guineas treble for the royal blues and Appleby.

Native Trail was second at Newmarket behind stablemate Coroebus but did not have anything of his calibre to contend with at the Curragh.

The Oasis Dream colt muscled his way into the clear and stayed on strongly to overcome local runner New Energy by a length and three-quarters, with the English-trained Imperial Fighter in third.

“I was delighted the rain didn't come,” Appleby said. “For a big horse and a horse of his action, I would always be more confident with a sounder surface.

“I was always confident in William and the horse. He has ridden him in all of his races and plenty at home. He knows what this horse can do. The thought process before the race was to get out and get the box seat.

“Once William asked him to go to work I knew this horse was not going to falter. He has done it in spades in the end.”

The result stretched Native Trail’s career record to six victories and a second in seven starts. He is now likely to be aimed at both the St James's Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes.

It was a first win in the race for Godolphin since 2005, when subsequent super sire Dubawi also overcame defeat at Newmarket to win.