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| Staff Writer |
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Nations Pride, the Godolphin homebred trained by Charlie Appleby, stormed to an impressive 1 3/4-length victory in the Gr.1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs on August 11. Under a confident ride by William Buick, the five-year-old son of Teofilo added another prestigious trophy to his growing collection of North American triumphs.
This victory marks Nations Pride's fourth Grade One success on North American soil, following wins in the 2022 Saratoga Derby Invitational and the 2023 Canadian International at Woodbine. The win further cements Appleby's reputation as a trainer capable of targeting and winning major international races.
Appleby's success in the USA has been nothing short of remarkable. In recent years, he has claimed victories in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with Modern Games, the Breeders' Cup Mile with Space Blues, and multiple other Grade One races across the country.
Buick, who had the opportunity to ride Nations Pride in a breeze at Saratoga the previous week, expressed confidence in the horse's ability. "Look, he was the best horse in the race and we knew that," Buick said. "He's an exciting horse and he's won four Grade Ones now."
The jockey's tactical awareness played a crucial role in the victory. Despite a long shot, Sugoi, shooting out to a huge lead early in the race, Buick remained composed, settling Nations Pride in third before making his move.
The Arlington Million, with its storied history dating back to 1981, has long been a jewel in the crown of American turf racing. Now hosted at Colonial Downs following the closure of Arlington Park, the race continues to attract international attention.
Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., emphasized the importance of maintaining the race's world-class status. Buick's praise for the turf course at Colonial Downs suggests that the transition has been successful, with the jockey calling it "beautiful" and "world class".
With this victory, Nations Pride has firmly established himself as one of the top turf horses in training. The win is likely to open up further international opportunities for the Godolphin star, with potential targets including more Grade One races in North America and perhaps even a tilt at some of Europe's premier contests.
For Appleby and Godolphin, the victory reinforces their global approach to racing. Their ability to successfully ship horses across continents and claim major prizes continues to set them apart in the international racing scene.
As the turf season progresses, all eyes will be on Nations Pride and the Appleby stable to see where they target next. With their track record of success and the horse's evident class, it's clear that wherever they choose to go, they will be a force to be reckoned with.