King’s Apostle, a five-year-old son of King's Best (pictured), confirmed his status as a sprinter of the highest class on 9 August with a game victory in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
Settled in mid-division under Ryan Moore, the William Haggas-trained entire began to make headway two furlongs out and striking the front with a furlong left to run, repelled a strong challenge from Mariol and Lesson In Humilty to prevail by half a length.
This victory at the highest level comes after King’s Apostle finished an unlucky fifth in the Darley July Cup, having been badly hampered close to home. Today’s victory was his second Pattern win, having landed the G2 Diadem Stakes at Ascot last September. His next target is likely to be the G1 Sprint Cup, due to take place at Haydock on 5 September.
Bred by Wentworth Racing, King's Apostle is out of the unraced Barathea mare Politesse, herself a daughter of G1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Embassy (Cadeaux Genereux).
Also on Sunday, Siyaadah (Shamardal) became the latest juvenile winner for Godolphin when winning on her racecourse debut at Redcar.
Despite showing signs of greenness in the early stages of the seven-furlong contest, Siyaadah soon made headway and taking the lead two furlongs from home, ran on well to win by a length-and-three quarters from Cash Queen Anna.
Bred by Lofts Hall Stud, Siyaadah is out of the multiple Group winner River Belle and was a 110,000 guineas purchase at the 2008 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
Shamardal has now sired eight individual winners from his first northern hemisphere crop, including Listed winner Arctic (rated 110p by Timeform) and G2 performer Shakespearean.
