Castle Way has emerged as a leading Gr.1 English St Leger (2920m) prospect after the Almanzor colt completed a hat-trick of Newmarket victories under jockey William Buick.
The talented chestnut three-year-old had won his previous two outings, including the Listed Newmarket Stakes (2000m), and has now added the Gr.3 Bahrain Trophy (2600m) to his record.
In the process, the Charlie Appleby-trained Castle Way provided owner Godolphin with its 2000th stakes success.
“William has always had a lot of confidence in Castle Way. Even when he sat on him as a two-year-old, he said, ‘I love him’. The horse has done little wrong in his career and his only real blip was at Epsom on soft ground,” Appleby said.
“The plan was always to ride him positively and I think he stayed well. William said it turned into a sprint and, when he committed, I thought he would have to find again. To be fair to the horse, he dug deep.
“We will probably go down the St Leger route now and look towards the Gr.2 Great Voltigeur Stakes (2400m).”
