Charlie Appleby hoping Adayar can make another big splash at Royal Ascot
Adayar and William Buick win the 2021 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot is in the sights of dual Group 1 winner Adayar.
Trainer Charlie Appleby provided an upbeat bulletin on the progress of his 2021 Derby hero Adayar, who remains on course to make his return in the Gordon Richard Stakes at Sandown on Friday week.
The dual Group 1 winner, who also landed the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes in 2021, has only won once in his last four outings, finishing second behind Bay Bridge in the Champion Stakes on his trip in October 2022.
"Adayar is in great form and he has been over to Waterhall (gallop) and done all our preparations pre-season and he has delighted us over there," Appleby said.
"His target is the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. We go to Sandown with it very much as a trial, but I would be disappointed if this horse is not a big player there.
"We are very much on the front foot this season as this time last year, unfortunately our dream had gone for the first half of the season, which became frustrating watching all those good races go by.
"He showed that he was worth our patience at the back end there winning at Doncaster, which was more of an organised gallop, before running a courageous race to finish second in the Champion Stakes on ground that we know is not his ideal.
"We are very much looking forward to Sandown next week."
Appleby is keen for Adayar to win a Group One over 10 furlongs to go with his Derby and King George wins over a mile and a half to enhance his future value at stud.
"To start with he will be campaigned over a mile and a quarter because of his stallion CV. In this day and age, they want to see a bit more speed on the page," he added.
"What he achieved in his three-year-old career, winning the Derby and King George, was fantastic and everyone was delighted. From a commercial point of view, everyone would like to see that mile and a quarter stamped.
"I think it is a trip that is well within his compass - he has always been a very strong traveller in his races.
"Epsom and Ascot were fantastic results for the horse and the team, but I'm pretty confident he will be putting a Group One 10-furlong tag around his neck this year."
