Native blazes juvenile Trail to complete great year for Charlie Appleby
William Buick riding Native Trail (left) on their way to winning the the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse
Unbeaten Native Trail has received the accolade of champion juvenile for 2021, after a stellar year that included success in Newmarket’s Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.
The son of Oasis Dream, who runs in the colours of Godolphin, also won the National Stakes at the Curragh and became the eighth consecutive winner of the Dewhurst to top the two-year-olds rankings.
Although his official BHA mark of 122 is 1lb lower than the 21st Century's average peak figure, he is still rated 7lb better than anything else in his generation, including fellow Charlie Appleby inmate Coroebus.
Appleby enjoyed an incredible season in 2021, with Adayar winning the Derby and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Hurricane Lane landing the Irish Derby, Grand Prix de Paris and St Leger and Creative Force providing him with a winner on Champions Day, plus three winners at the Breeders' Cup meeting.
Last year's leading fillies were John and Thady Gosden's Inspiral and Aidan O'Brien's Tenebrism.
BHA handicapper Graeme Smith said: "Native Trail is a worthy Champion, having been one of the star performers of an incredible year for his stable. His performance in the National Stakes was very impressive and in following up with victory in the Dewhurst Stakes, he confirmed himself a colt of high quality.
"That said, 2021 cannot be described as a vintage year for two-year-olds in terms of performance ratings. A total of 42 horses have made this list and only once, when there were 40 in 2019, have there been fewer, so we can deduce that talent was quite thinly spread at the top end last year."
O'Brien's Luxembourg came out as the best Irish-trained colt, having won the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, one of several rated 115.
Irish handicapper Garry O'Gorman said: "I don't think you can knock him, he's unbeaten, and he's got genuine aspirations for the Guineas and the Derby."
O'Gorman highlighted a few horses who he feels are capable of playing a major role at three, despite not being towards the top of the ratings.
"Discoveries, trained by Jessica Harrington, is rated 111 and she's a full-sister to Alpha Centauri and a half-sister to Alpine Star," said O'Gorman.
"She won the Moyglare, she's a very big filly and she has earned the highest rating of the three at two. Given her pedigree and good ground, she's a very exciting prospect.
"Another filly with a similar profile is Paddy Twomey's Limiti De Greccio. You'd be optimistic she's a filly on the up."
Smith had two who have achieved far less on the track to potentially keep an eye on, along with Charlie Appleby's New Science, of whom he also spoke highly.
"Desert Crown, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is a son of Nathaniel who won a Nottingham maiden on his only start in a good time, winning by five and a half lengths," said Smith.
"He would be expected to improve with time and over a trip.
"Another Nottingham winner to keep an eye on is Eldar Eldarov, who clocked a strong time when winning."
