By Sean Cronin
Godolphin's well-travelled Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}) began this latest European campaign with a third in Royal Ascot's G1 Prince of Wales's S. last month and the gelded bay was all heart to claim Sunday's G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis – Bayerisches Zuchtrennen at Munich. The even-money favourite sported temporary headgear during the preliminaries of the 10-furlong contest and the soothing effect contributed to a smooth passage off the clear leaders in rear for the most part. Making headway in the straight when ridden along with a quarter-mile remaining, he joined the front rank, despite rolling around, entering the final furlong and was driven out to earn a third elite-level success in game fashion. Try as he might, last term's G1 Deutsches Derby fourth Quest The Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) could not find a way past in the latter stages and was denied by a neck, with Joseph O'Brien-trained G3 Meld S. victor Patrick Sarsfield (Fr) (Australia {GB}) running on well to finish 1 1/4 lengths adrift in third.
“We were a little concerned when the rain came this morning as all of his best form is on fast ground,” said William Buick of the 2017 G1 St James's Palace S. and this year's G1 Jebel Hatta hero. “I thought the German horses set a very good standard, it was a very tough race and he struggled with the conditions from a long way out. He's a high-class horse and his courage and ability got him to win the race. We thought the pace would be good and he jumped a little bit slow from the gates. We were positioned one place further back than where I wanted to be, but he was comfortable and relaxed. I followed Quest The Moon as I knew he'd take me into the race and I got a nice lead off him.”
Winning trainer Charlie Appleby added, “Barney Roy and Spotify flew in yesterday and stabled well overnight, but we came here looking for good-to-firm ground and the rain was a negative for our two horses. There was a strong pace from the start, the local horses ran very well and stamina really came into play.” He continued, “I'd like to thank Munich for putting the race on and allowing us to come. I'd also like to thank the sponsors very much for sponsoring the race at such challenging times for everybody. We're delighted to be here, at Group 1 level, for Godolphin and very much appreciate everybody's support.”
Barney Roy is the first of five foals and one of three winners produced by a daughter of G3 Ridgewood Pearl S. and G3 Brownstown Stud S. victress Cheyenne Star (Ire) (Mujahid). He is half to Listed Maggie Dickson Gold Cup runner-up Wisdom Mind (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the once-raced 2-year-old colt Noble Dynasty (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who shaped with a deal of promise when a debut second at Newmarket last month. Descendants of his Listed Garnet S.-winning third dam Charita (Ire) (Lycius), herself a half-sister to GSW G1 Premio Vittorio di Capua second Stanott (Ire) (Mukaddamah), include ill-fated MG1SW speedster Gordon Lord Byron (Ire) (Byron {GB}).
Sunday, Munich, Germany
GROSSER DALLMAYR-PREIS – BAYERISCHES ZUCHTRENNEN-G1, €77,500, Munich, 7-26, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:09, gd.
1–BARNEY ROY (GB), 132, g, 6, by Excelebration (Ire)
1st Dam: Alina (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Cheyenne Star (Ire), by Mujahid
3rd Dam: Charita (Ire), by Lycius
(30,000gns Wlg '14 TATFOA; £70,000 Ylg '15 DNPRM). O-Godolphin; B-Eliza Park International Pty Ltd (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. €50,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng & UAE, SW-Fr, 14-7-3-2, €1,158,168. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Quest The Moon (Ger), 132, c, 4, Sea The Moon (Ger)–Questabella (Ger), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire). (€32,000 RNA Ylg '17 BBAGS; €6,000 Ylg '17 BBAGO). O-Stall Salzburg; B-Gestut Gorlsdorf (GER); T-Sarah Steinberg. €15,000.
3–Patrick Sarsfield (Fr), 132, c, 4, by Australia (GB)–Ultra Appeal (Ire), by Lawman (Fr). (€140,000 Ylg '17 ARAUG; 230,000gns 3yo '19 TATJUL). O-Mrs C C Regalado-Gonzalez; B-China Horse Club International Ltd (FR); T-Joseph O'Brien. €7,500.
Margins: NK, 1 1/4, HD. Odds: 1.00, 7.50, 2.40.
Also Ran: Durance (Ger), Wai Key Star (Ger), Spotify (Fr), Naida (Ger). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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