Champions Series Stars To Stud: Blue Point

Blue Point and Charlie Appleby after his final race in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Pic Steven Cargill / Racingfotos.com

Horse: BLUE POINT

Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Regular jockey: William Buick

Races: 20. Wins: 11. Group 1 wins: 4. Prize-money: £2,631,333

Form in Champions Series races: 3417311. Official rating: 123

Overview:

Blue Point ran with distinction in each of his four seasons, being at the peak of his powers as a five-year-old in 2019.

The Godolphin-owned colt began the year with three successive wins in Meydan, completing his hat-trick with a defeat of Belvoir Bay in the Al Quoz Sprint over six furlongs. The runner-up would end the year by winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Blue Point was given a break after his exertions in Dubai and then achieved a famous double at Royal Ascot. He retained his King’s Stand Stakes crown – defeating Battaash for the second year running – and then just four days later landed the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

His retirement was announced 48 hours later. Only Australian sprint ace Choisir had previously pulled off the double in 2003.

As a two-year-old, Blue Point won the Gimcrack and was runner-up in the Middle Park Stakes and third in the Dewhurst.

The following summer he was third behind Caravaggio and Harry Angel in a memorable Commonwealth Cup. It was his only defeat in six starts at Ascot and he holds the course record time over six furlongs.

Equally effective over five and six furlongs, he was in his element on a sound surface but also handled easy conditions.

Finest moment:

Plenty of highlights to consider but his second King’s Stand Stakes triumph was perhaps the pick of his greatest hits.

Given an 80-day break after reeling off a hat-trick of wins in Dubai, he was sent off 5/2 second favourite, with old rival Battaash heading the market at 2/1 after a dazzling comeback win in the Temple Stakes.

With regular rider William Buick on the sidelines, James Doyle was aboard Blue Point and the combination were quickly in a good position travelling sweetly.

Battaash edged ahead a furlong from home but Blue Point quickened past him and, for the second year running, was much the strongest when it mattered most. He won by a length and a quarter with Soldier’s Call, Mabs Cross and Fairyland the next three home.

Battaash was subsequently a brilliant winner of the Nunthorpe and Fairyland landed the Flying Five at the Curragh.

What they said about him:

Charlie Appleby paid tribute when announcing Blue Point’s retirement

“We came to the conclusion that he owes us all nothing. He’s given us some wonderful times, with the highlight being last week’s King’s Stand-Diamond Jubilee double.

“Even from his two-year-old days, winning the Gimcrack and being placed in multiple Group Ones, to winning the King’s Stand last year and then winning three Group Ones this year – he’s been top-class.

“He’s a horse very close to my heart, being there from the start, and it’s not often you get horses who impress you so much in a morning that do the same in the afternoon, but he’s never let us down. He’s been a true champion.”

What should we expect from his offspring?:

As a high-achieving son of  Shamardal, the leading Darley stallion, the 16.1 hands Blue Point can be expected to be in plenty of demand at Kildangan Stud in Co Kildare.

He is closely related to smart 6f  winner Formosina and is half-brother to mile winner Esytopolishadimond. His dam was a maiden half-sister to Tumbleweed Ridge, a useful winnner up to 7f.

Clearly, the dual King’s Stand Stakes winner will be expected to pass on plenty of speed to his progeny but don’t forget that as a two-year-old (in what turned out to be his only race beyond six furlongs) he was not beaten far in the Dewhurst behind Churchill, the subsequent 2000 Guineas winner.

Liaisons with right broodmare might well produce star performers beyond sprint trips. His initial covering fee has been set at £45,000.