CHARLIE APPLEBY finally celebrated his first 2000 Guineas… just not with the horse everyone expected.
It was left to Coroebus to down hot favourite and once unbeaten Native Trail as James Doyle pipped his best mate Will Buick to win his maiden British Classic.
Doyle, 34, has been in his role with Godolphin since 2014
As number two jockey, Doyle is used to patting Buick on the back after each big race success.
But this time the roles were reversed and it meant the world to Doyle.
For Appleby, it was a first Guineas but you feel he’s just getting started given the firepower he’s already unleashed this spring.
Drawn on opposite sides, the pair in the royal blue always caught the eye the way they travelled through the race.
Appleby took last year’s Derby with Adayar at Epsom
Passing the pack on each wing, the showdown was set as they came out of the dip into the final furlong just a length apart and ready to slug it out.
There were no excuses or hard luck stories, just the two big guns ready to find out who was top dog, the way it should be.
But Coroebus and Doyle were in front and not stopping anytime soon. It was their day in the sun.
Doyle and Buick embraced after the line as they pulled up and 34-year-old Doyle rightly took his time to return to the paddock as he tried to soak it in.
It's a @godolphin one-two!
Coroebus stays clear of Native Trail to win the Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes at @NewmarketRace
#ITVRacing | #QIPCOGuineas pic.twitter.com/SqP65UB85j
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 30, 2022
He said: “Before we went out, I nearly said to Will ‘see you at the other end’ as I thought that would happen!
“I was emotional pulling up as it’s been a tough couple of years the way things have worked out.
“You have a few years on the sidelines and when you’re used to winning these big races it does frustrate you when you don’t.
“Will’s a great friend and he knew what it meant to me. He took the time to ride over to me and say ‘well done, you deserve that.’
“The work we both put in in the mornings, we’ve been best mates, but competitors for a long time and he knows I can get frustrated seeing him riding all these horses.
“He’s top class and that’s the measure of the man. I know next time he’ll probably be back on Coroebus anyway!”
Appleby will split his pair now with Coroebus on course for the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot and Native Trail pencilled in for the Irish Guineas.
Meanwhile third-placed Luxembourg was shortened to just 2-1 for the Derby after running a stormer.
After near misses in recent seasons with Pinatubo and Master Of The Seas the pressure was on Appleby to deliver his first Guineas for boss Sheikh Mohammed.
Appleby said: “I knew our time would come. We had two big contenders today and the draw never worried me.
“I’m a big believer that if you have a good horse in a straight line, just keep it simple and the best will come to the top.
“I’m delighted for James, to get his first Classic is very special. He’s such a great team-player and has to sit there watching Will get first choice all the time.
“I’ve never, ever seen him quiver or get upset. He goes out there and does his job all the time so I take my hat off to him.”
