Haydock and Keeneland in the running for Big Mojo

A defence of his Betfair Sprint Cup crown is next on Big Mojo’s agenda following his return to winning ways in Ireland on Sunday.

Mick Appleby’s charge has largely struggled since striking for the first time at Group One level at Haydock in September, but was not beaten all that far in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot and a disappointing effort in the July Cup was put down to an unfavourable draw.

The four-year-old dropped in class for the Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh and having proved the fire still burns with an authoritative success, he is set for an immediate return to the highest level on Merseyside on September 5.

“We were delighted to get his head back in front,” said Appleby.

“The draw did him at Newmarket so we put a line through that. All went well yesterday and I think he’s as good as ever – he still has as much ability as he had last year.

“That (Sprint Cup) would be the plan, that’s where we’ll more than likely aim for now and I would think we’ll go straight there with him.”

Big Mojo was beaten just a length into fourth place when running at the Breeders’ Cup in 2024 and while he did not make the trip last year, connections are eyeing up a potential second trip across the Atlantic to Keeneland at the end of this season.

Appleby added: “I know Paul (Teasdale, owner) is thinking about the Breeders’ Cup and if all goes well at Haydock I think that might be the plan.

“He ran very well at the Breeders’ Cup at the two-year-old. He was badly hampered that day and but for that I think he would have gone very close.

“We’ll go to Haydock and hopefully go back to the Breeders’ Cup then.”