Big days are becoming more and more frequent for Mick Appleby. Less than two years after winning at the highest level for the first time at the Breeders' Cup, the trainer reached the pinnacle on home soil when in this season of sprinting lottery, his number came up with Big Mojo in the Sept. 6 Sprint Cup Stakes (G1) at Haydock Park.
Racing in the same colors that Big Evs carried to victory in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) at Santa Anita Park, Big Mojo became the latest surprise winner of a British group 1 sprint this year, returning at 16-1 as the heavily backed even-money favorite Lazzat could manage only fifth.
Drawn near the stands' side in a maximum 17-runner field, William Buick kept Big Mojo close to the rail and after taking up the lead going into the final furlong, the 3-year-old powered home in a course-record time of 1:08.49 for the six furlongs on good going.
For Appleby, who cut his teeth in low-grade all-weather races before gradually increasing the quality of his team, this was the zenith.
"It's a big moment and it does mean more this time," he said. "It's absolutely great for the whole team to get a group 1 over here as well.
"We were disappointed with his last run at Goodwood and there were a lot of question marks by his name, but we put it down to the ground. He's gone and proved he's still at the top. Everything went to plan, it took William half the track to pull him up. It's great for the owners, we all get on well together."
Appleby was flanked by owner Paul Teasdale, who races his horses under the banner RP Racing and has provided the trainer with his two greatest victories.
Before his fifth in the King George Stakes (G2) at Goodwood Racecourse, Big Mojo was beaten only a neck in the July Cup Stakes (G1), which gave his connections plenty of confidence.
"We knew we just needed another July Cup performance when we were only inches away from winning," Teasdale said. "We knew he was capable. We've just hit the bar a couple times and been unlucky. He was right on the day and William gave him a fantastic ride, and it's all down to Mick."
With Big Mojo's regular jockey Tom Marquand required to ride the supplemented Sky Majesty for William Haggas, Buick made the most of the opportunity.
"It's a brilliant spare ride, it's all come together," he said. "I was happy with the draw, but the track can play differently here sometimes. The race panned out well and he put in a big performance. He was very smooth and I didn't have a moment of worry."
Big Mojo was cut to 6-1 (from 16) for next month's Champions Sprint (G1) at Ascot by Paddy Power and all options remain open, including a return trip to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T).
"He came fourth there last year when he handled Del Mar really well and we wouldn't be scared to go back," Teasdale said.
"We think he's equally good over five or six (furlongs) and we've got a few options as he's got an entry on Champions Day and we might even consider the Abbaye."
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