Charlie Appleby is optimistic that a more competitive group of three-year-old horses, including Guineas contenders Ancient Wisdom and Dance Sequence, will assist him in rebuilding his team and contending for the title following a disappointing performance in 2023.
Although Appleby secured the champion trainers' title in 2022, he attributed last year's eighth-place finish to a lacklustre group of Classic contenders. As a result, he will field his smallest team for Dubai World Cup night since 2017.
In the past decade at Moulton Paddocks, Appleby has only sent out fewer than four runners on two occasions, which happened during his second and third visits in 2015 and 2016. Since then, he has become a global force in horse racing, achieving victories in prestigious events such as the Melbourne Cup, the Derby (twice), and three races at the Breeders' Cup in both 2021 and 2022.
Addressing the issue, Appleby stated, "Last season, we lacked three-year-olds. When you don't have a strong group of three-year-olds, it weakens the four-year-old department for the following year. Additionally, we retired several high-class older horses last year, leaving a significant void in the team. We are still in the process of rebuilding and nurturing these three-year-olds for their four-year-old campaigns. Consequently, our team of older horses has diminished in size, requiring me to be more selective and choose the right contenders. I believe we have a strong team for Saturday."
Regarding his top three-year-olds, Appleby remarked, "They have had a good winter and remained in the UK. Ancient Wisdom is a horse we held in high regard from the beginning. He won the Futurity on soft ground, and his only defeat at Ascot was probably my fault. The ground was quick, and due to the lack of three-year-olds, I had to rely more on two-year-olds than I would have preferred."
"If the ground is slow for the Guineas, we will seriously consider participating because it is one of the best trials for the Derby. As the season progresses, we believe Ancient Wisdom's strength lies in races ranging from a mile and a half to a mile and a quarter. However, attempting to race in the Derby two and a half weeks after on quick ground might prove challenging."
"Dance Sequence has made significant progress. William [Buick] rode her the other day and was delighted with her performance. She will compete in the Nell Gwyn, and we hope to secure her spot in the Guineas."
Appleby's team for Meydan on Saturday consists of Siskany in the Dubai Gold Cup, Star Of Mystery in the Al Quoz Sprint, Measured Time in the Dubai Turf, and Rebel's Romance in the Sheema Classic. Appleby acknowledged the strength of the competition and shared insights on each horse's prospects.
Looking ahead, Appleby plans to send Breeders' Cup Mile champion Master Of The Seas to the US. He expressed confidence in the horse's abilities and mentioned that Master Of The Seas has already arrived in Keeneland, where he will participate in the Maker's Mark event. Appleby acknowledged the question of why Master Of The Seas is not running in the Dubai Turf and stated that the horse appears to be in excellent condition, giving him a strong chance in the upcoming race.