April proved to be a busy and encouraging month for Mick Appleby Racing as the turf season gathered momentum, delivering feature race success, consistent winners across multiple tracks, and several strong performances in higher-class company.
With spring ground opening up opportunities, the yard showed both depth and quality, laying solid foundations for the months ahead.
Feature Race Success on Opening Week
The headline performance of the month came early on Tuesday 7 April at Pontefract, where Arklow Lad landed the Ponte Premiership New For 2026 Handicap (Class 2) over five furlongs on the opening day of the track's Flat season.
Ridden positively by Harry Davies, Arklow Lad travelled prominently before taking up the running inside the final furlong and holding on gamely to score by half a length in a competitive field of thirteen. The victory, worth over £14,000 to the winner, represented a career-best success at Class 2 level and confirmed Arklow Lad as a serious sprint handicapper able to compete in valuable feature races.
Winners and Building Momentum Through the Month
April continued positively with further winners on both turf and all-weather surfaces:
- Ay Up Duck produced a polished display to win at Southwell (7f, AW) on 23 April, continuing his reliable run of form.
- Space Bear impressed with a decisive victory at Yarmouth (6f) on 21 April, enjoying fast ground and showing strong finishing speed.
- Looks Fantastic rewarded patience with a well-judged success at Redcar (7f) on 20 April, confirming steady progress as the season unfolds.
- Winchurch rounded off the month on a high with a dominant performance at Nottingham on 26 April, landing the Kevin Pauley's 75th Birthday Handicap (6f) by 3¾ lengths under Robert Havlin, confirming that he remains very well treated on turf.
These successes reflected the yard's ability to strike across a variety of distances and conditions as horses found their rhythm early in the season.
Higher-Class Performers and Big-Race Efforts
Alongside the winners, April also saw several runners tested with credit in higher-grade handicap company, further underlining the strength of the team.
Ambishio stepped up in grade to contest the bet365 Handicap (Class 2) at Sandown Park on 24 April, a notoriously stiff test over 5f 10yds. Travelling keenly close to the pace, Ambishio briefly led before being headed late on, eventually finishing fourth of nine, beaten just half a length for third. Against seasoned and progressive sprinters, it was a highly respectable effort and suggested that further opportunities at this level should not be far away with conditions to suit.
Other Notable Higher-Grade Runs
- Annaf contested a competitive Class 2 sprint at Newmarket, a strong race that will have brought him forward for future targets.
- Coul Angel continued his admirable consistency with a second place in a valuable Class 2 handicap, again showing his reliability in big-field contests.
- Juan Les Pins was beaten less than a length when finishing third in a Class 3 handicap at Newbury, confirming his effectiveness in stronger company.
Big Mojo – Major Horse Returning to Action
Away from the results themselves, April also brought significant news with regard to Big Mojo, the stable's Group One Sprint Cup winner, who is nearing a return to action.
Big Mojo has wintered well and remains in training as a four-year-old, with plans in place for a seasonal return in the Minster Stakes at York in May, ground permitting. His continued presence in the yard is a major boost and provides further excitement as the Flat season builds towards the major summer targets.
Looking Ahead
By the end of April, Mick Appleby Racing had:
- A Class 2 feature race winner
- Multiple winners across turf and all-weather
- Several horses performing with credit in Class 2 and Class 3 company
- A Group One winner close to making his seasonal return
With momentum building and conditions continuing to improve, the signs are very positive as the yard looks ahead to May and the height of the Flat season.