'Not many two-year-olds I've ridden would be able to do that' - Guineas-bound Shadow Of Light completes Middle Park-Dewhurst double

At the end of September, Charlie Appleby was convinced he had a smart sprinter on his hands. Two weeks later, it turns out he has instead unearthed a live Guineas contender after Shadow Of Light completed a Group 1 double to land the Dewhurst Stakes.

Only a horse of high quality would be able to sway the mind of a trainer like Appleby and Shadow Of Light proved the £35,000 supplementary fee was well worth it by following up a smooth win in the Middle Park with victory on his first try over seven furlongs. 

Unlike his four-length romp last time, Shadow Of Light was made to fight for the win but found plenty under William Buick to score by a neck. His task was made significantly easier by the absence of the well-backed The Lion In Winter, who was declared a non-runner on Saturday morning due to a bruised foot, but Ryan Moore still made his presence felt by snatching second in the dying strides on Expanded. 

"Those who don't change their minds are the ones who get stuck in a rut. You have to be open-minded in this game," said Appleby. "We don’t know what we’re going to wake up to in the morning, so when they're fit and well, run them. 

"That's what we did with Shadow Of Light; he came out of the Middle Park and we made a collective decision that he had nothing to lose and a nice bit to gain, and that’s what he's done today."

The Godolphin operation has certainly gained this weekend with a clean sweep of the juvenile Group 1 contests. Fillies' Mile winner Desert Flower and Shadow Of Light are now bound for next year's Classics, with the Dewhurst winner quoted between 6-1 and 12-1 for the 2,000 Guineas. 

"Will said to me, 'I can't tell you not to look towards the Guineas in the spring'," Appleby said. "He wouldn't be the first Guineas horse to go there and not stay the mile on the day, and you can drop back to the Commonwealth, which we've seen done before. I imagine that will be our programme in the spring." 

William Buick smiles after winning the DewhurstCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The son of Lope De Vega became the 11th horse to win both the Middle Park and Dewhurst and the first since US Navy Flag in 2017, and Shadow Of Light sealed the double despite having to race on the slower far side away from the second- and third-placed horses. 

"You're nearly winning two races, so it's a very hard thing to do," Buick said. "I can't remember many two-year-olds I've ridden that would be able to do that. 

"He was running on his own doing fine, but once he got a sniff of the competition he found another gear. It was a big performance and this is what it's all about. It's such an important weekend, and we're going into the winter now with plenty of hope for next year."

James Doyle briefly thought the Dewhurst was in his grasp when Ancient Truth edged ahead at the Dip, but he was left studying the race replay on his return to the paddock after being relegated to third by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Expanded, who saw out his race well despite making only his second start. 

O'Brien said: "He's run a great race considering we only ran him at the Curragh seven days ago but Ryan said that if James Doyle hadn't attacked him early he would have won.

"He was here for experience more than anything. We know he handles the track, so he could be back here next year."

O'Brien suggested The Lion In Winter might not be seen again this year, with the Acomb winner maintaining his place at the head of the 2,000 Guineas and Derby market despite his absence on Saturday. 

Betfred 2,000 Guineas (Newmarket, May 3, 2025)
William Hill: 4 The Lion In Winter, 6 Shadow Of Light, 12 Ancient Truth, Expanded, Scorthy Champ, 14 Wimbledon Hawkeye, 16 Cosmic Year, Ruling Court, 20 bar.

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