Cinderella's Dream wins Falmouth; Breeders' Cup is in plans
Cinderella's Dream, who won the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks and Saratoga Oaks (G2) for trainer Charlie Appleby in 2024, amassed another top-level win in the Falmouth (G1) on Friday over the straight-mile July course at Newmarket. She beat even-money favorite January and turned the tables on Crimson Advocate, who defeated her at Royal Ascot last month.
After the race, Appleby confirmed his plans to target the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, a race in which Cinderella's Dream was the runner-up in 2024.
Elwateen jumped off quickly, though it was Running Lion who soon advanced to make the running from about a furlong into the race. Cinderella's Dream was content to chase from the rear of midfield, with January and Crimson Advocate just behind.
Approaching the final quarter, January shifted to the near side for the scramble while Cinderella's Dream and Crimson Advocate fanned to the far side. January was going well, even nabbing a brief lead near the furlong mark, but Cinderella's Dream and Crimson Advocate loomed on the far side.
Past the furlong marker, Cinderella's Dream and jockey William Buick went best. January chased earnestly, but fell a half-length short in the end. Crimson Advocate chased on for third, another 1 3/4 lengths back. Elmalka, Lady Ilze, Atsila, Elwateen and Running Lion completed the order of finish.
Cinderella's Dream stopped the clock at 1:37.89 for the mile over turf rated good to firm. She paid $6.20 to win in the American pari-mutuel pool.
Cinderella's Dream is a 4-year-old daughter of Shamardal out of the Dubawi mare Espadrille. A Godolphin homebred, she extended her career record to 12: 8-3-0 after her win in the Falmouth.
Her breakthrough in stakes company came at Meydan, in her fourth career start, when she won the UAE One Thousand Guineas in March 2024. After running off the board in the 1000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket, she ran three straight races in the U.S. She won the Belmont Oaks and the Saratoga Oaks last summer, and then returned to finish second in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, a half-length behind Moira.
In four starts at age 4, Cinderella's Dream has not been out of the exacta. She started her season with a second in the Balanchine (G2) at Meydan behind Choisya, who contests the Diana (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. She romped in the Dahlia (G2) at Newmarket, chased Crimson Advocate for second in the Duke of Cambridge (G2) at Royal Ascot, and then turned the tables on that foe Friday in the Falmouth.
In an interview with RacingTV, Appleby outlined plans that involve a return to North America and the Breeders' Cup. Appleby is "looking toward (the) E. P. Taylor, and obviously working back from a Breeders' Cup Fillies & Mares. I'm keen to get her there, hopefully in great shape, and try and take revenge on what I felt just got away from us last year."