Barney Roy bags German Group One honours

Munich prize goes to Charlie Appleby’s charge.

Barney Roy claimed the third Group One of his career in Sunday’s Grosser Dallmayr-Preis – Bayerisches Zuchtrennen at Munich.

Now a six-year-old, he won the St James’s Palace Stakes in his younger days for Richard Hannon and went on to be narrowly defeated in the Eclipse.

Following a failed spell at stud, he was gelded and sent to Charlie Appleby before adding to his Group One tally at Meydan in March.

It looked a good opportunity in Germany to further supplement to his haul, but it was hard work for William Buick.

As the field turned into the straight, stablemate Spotify was better positioned in second with Barney Roy last and being ridden vigorously.

He began to respond, though, and while Joseph O’Brien’s Patrick Sarsfield briefly looked like hitting the front, Barney Roy hit top gear.

Quest The Moon pushed him all the way to the line, but Barney Roy held on by a neck with Patrick Sarsfield’s winning run coming to an end in third.

“There was a strong pace from the start and it developed into two races. William would have liked to have sat fourth, so we were a bit further back than we wanted to be on this ground,” Appleby told www.godolphin.com.

“I thought the local horses ran very well because stamina came into play. We were coming here hoping for good to firm ground, but the rain this morning was a bit of a negative for both Barney Roy and Spotify.

“The testing ground wouldn’t have suited Barney Roy at all, but he has got the job done and all credit to everyone involved. Going forward, we are probably going to have a look at campaigning him in Australia now.

“We are thankful to Munich for putting the race on and allowing us to come, and the sponsor as well. These are very challenging times for everyone, but we are delighted to be able to come here and win a Group One race for Godolphin. We very much appreciate everyone’s support.”

Buick added: “It was a very tough race. We thought beforehand that the German horses set a good standard and they were at home. When the rain came this morning, we were a little concerned for Barney Roy because all of his best form is on fast ground.

“I thought he struggled on the ground from a long way out, but his courage and ability allowed him to win the race. He is a high-class horse.”

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