RP.....
New Approach is all Darley's
by Brian Fleming
NEW APPROACH, 9-4 favourite with sponsors Stan James to win next year's 2,000 Guineas, has been bought outright by Darley and will carry new colours next season.
Confirming the purchase of the season's leading juvenile and in another sign of Sheikh Mohammed's determination to strengthen the stallion prospects for his breeding operation, Darley spokesman John Ferguson said: “I can confirm we have purchased the other 50 per cent of New Approach and Darley now own the horse outright.
“He will run in the colours of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya next year and will be kept in training with Jim Bolger.”
A 50 per cent stake in the unbeaten Galileo colt had been acquired by Darley before he registered his second Group 2 success in the Dewhurst last month for Jackie and Jim Bolger, in a race coincidentally sponsored by Sheikh Mohammed.
Bolger expressed his satisfaction with the sale.
“I'm delighted to have recently concluded the deal with Darley and am very happy to be training him for the coming 12 months,” said the Coolcullen trainer.
“The 2,000 Guineas is his early season target and these days he's doing light exercise and is out in the paddock with his pony and generally enjoying life. We're all looking forward to next year.”
Regal Flush, last sighted when a close fourth to Lucarno in the St Leger at Doncaster in September, has left Sir Michael Stoute's yard after being purchased by Godolphin.
Formerly owned by Cheveley Park Stud, Regal Flush wasbeaten only two lengths in the final domestic Classic, for which he was supplemented in the week before the race.
A winner of three of his nine starts, the son of Sakhee had previously run out a convincing winner of the valuable Old Borough Cup at Haydock.
Simon Crisford, racing manager to Godolphin, said: “Regal Flush has joined our team and will be transferred from Newmarket to Dubai shortly.
“He won't be campaigned over the winter, but plans beyond that are undecided.”
Crisford also revealed that the high-class French colt Sagara, third to Dylan Thomas in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last time, had also been added to the team.
He added: “Sagara has also recently joined us from France and plans for him will be sorted out shortly.”
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