Wathnan Racing were expecting to win the Group I Haydock Sprint Cup (6f) overnight with short priced race favourite Lazzat, but the best he could manage was fifth behind progressive three year-old colt Big Mojo.
The other Wathnan runners Kind of Blue and Flora of Bermuda filled the placings, but it was Big Mojo’s turn to shine after some good efforts this year including a second in the Group I July Sprint Cup.
Trained by Mick Appleby and ridden by William Buick, he scored by a length and a quarter taking his overall record to three wins and three seconds from 11 starts.
“We were disappointed with Bi Mojo’s last run at Goodwood and there were a lot of question marks by his name, but we put it down to the ground. He's gone and proved he's still at the top. Everything went to plan, it took William half the track to pull him up. It's great for the owners,” said Mick Appleby.
Big Mojo may now get his chance to return to the Breeders Cup in November.
“We knew we just needed another July Cup performance when we were only inches away from winning. We knew Big Mojo was capable, we've just hit the bar a couple times and been unlucky,” said his owner Paul Teasdale.
“He came fourth at the Breeders' Cup last year when he handled Del Mar really well and we wouldn't be scared to go back. We think he's equally good over five or six and we've got a few options as he's got an entry on Champions Day and we might even consider the Abbaye.”
Purchased for 175,000 guineas from the Ringfort Stud draft at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale by Quirke Bloodstock / RP Racing, Big Mojo is the first Group I winner for Mohaather, a G1 winning son of Showcasing, whose oldest progeny are 3YOs.
A member of the Shadwell group of stallions, he stands at Beech House Farm at a fee of £15,000.
Big Mojo is the first foal of stakes-placed No Nay Never mare Jm Jackson, a full sister to stakes-winner Singforthemoment.
He also becomes the first Group I winner for No Nay Never as a broodmare sire.
