Nabati turns the tables on Arapaho Gold to land Mill Reef at Newbury
Godolphin continued a productive autumn at Newbury when Nabati reversed his earlier defeat to Arapaho Gold to take the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (In Honour Of Ian Balding) under William Buick.
The Charlie Appleby-trained colt had finished second to the Michael Dods-trained Arapaho Gold in the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes over the same course and distance in July, a result that was followed by Arapaho Gold’s victory in the Gimcrack Stakes. Nabati arrived at Newbury on the back of an autumn campaign that included a win at Newmarket and a third in the Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster.
Buick adopted a measured ride and, sent off the 7-4 favourite, Nabati battled on in the closing stages to deny the fast-finishing Jolivette by a short head, with Arapaho Gold another neck back in third. The result served as a timely reminder of the fine margins that separate the top two-year-olds late in the season, and offered a fresh look at the relative merits of several leading juvenile performers.
Form lines and Festival implications
The outcome reshuffles recent form between the pair and adds a new dimension to comparisons among the crop of two-year-olds who have been prominent in top-level sprints and major juvenile events this summer. Nabati’s progression through a listed contest and competitive age-group races to a Group-level success will be watched closely by connections targeting prominent juvenile engagements next season.
Arapaho Gold’s consistency remains notable: the colt followed his Newbury success in July with a Gimcrack triumph and a solid showing in the Mill Reef. For Jolivette, a close second in such company emphasises her place among the leading juveniles and underlines the depth of the division at this time of year.
Apprentice milestone in the World Trophy
The Newbury card also produced a significant breakthrough for apprentice jockey Jack Nicholls, who recorded his first Group winner aboard Miss Yechance in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes.
Riding for trainer Karl Burke, Nicholls had previously partnered the filly to handicap success at York and was given the reins again at Newbury. He delivered a front-running performance, and Miss Yechance prevailed by a neck to provide the 20-year-old with the biggest victory of his fledgling career.
The result marks an important milestone for Nicholls, who has enjoyed a productive season and who attributes part of his development to the support of his stable and family. The victory also highlights the strength of sprinting opportunities for promising young riders and underlines the role apprentices can play in big-race success.
Looking ahead
With Newbury’s autumn meeting now concluded, attention will turn to the winter and spring targets that may be considered for the horses involved. Two-year-old form is always at a premium in the build-up to the following season, and performances in high-profile juvenile contests such as the Mill Reef can influence how trainers map out campaigns for both domestic and international engagements.
For connections of Nabati and Miss Yechance, the week will offer time to assess potential next steps, while the wider juvenile ranks will enter the off-season with fresh contenders to follow as preparations begin in earnest for the next campaign.
This article may have been prepared in whole or in part with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
