He’s back!

New Approach’s outstanding son and this year’s 2,000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach made a truly remarkable comeback on the opening day of Ascot’s Royal meeting, when just 17 days after his Derby defeat he added a fourth G1 victory to his record, landing the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Settled off the early pace set by stablemate Leitir Moi, Dawn Approach took up the running two furlongs out and despite being hampered, put up an incredibly gutsy performance to hold off the strong challenge laid down by Toronado and win by a nose with the pair almost three lengths clear of the third-placed horse.

This was his fourth victory at the highest level, having won the G1 National Stakes and G1 Dewhurst Stakes during an unbeaten juvenile campaign, before returning at three to win the Guineas by no fewer than five lengths. This was also the second trip to the winners’ enclosure at Royal Ascot for the strapping chestnut colt, as he won the G2 Coventry Stakes last year during an incredible week for his sire that saw him record three juvenile Stakes winners – more than any other stallion before.

Bred and trained by Jim Bolger, Dawn Approach is out of the Phone Trick mare Hymn Of The Dawn, a half-sister to G1 colt Galantas. Hymn Of The Dawn also has a full-sister two-year-old to Dawn Approach named Prudent Approach, and produced a full brother to him last month.

New Approach is also sire of this year’s Oaks winner, Talent, plus Derby second and Dante Stakes winner Libertarian. He stands at Northwood Park at a fee of $55,000 including GST.