Trainer Jim Bolger appears to have another budding star in his stable: His juvenile New Approach remained undefeated when winning the Galileo EBF Futurity Stakes (Ire-II) at the Curragh Aug. 25.
With the victory, New Approach emulated his recently retired stablemate, champion Teofilo, who captured this event a year ago.
New Approach and jockey Kevin Manning took the lead soon after the break and were almost immediately joined by one of the Aidan O’Brien trainees, Warsaw. The pair led the field of five at a furious pace through the first five furlongs, as Coventry Stakes (Eng-II) winner Henrythenavigator tracked them in third.
Warsaw began to weaken with two furlongs left, but New Approach had more in reserve and easily pulled away from the field. He crossed line three lengths in front of 40-1 Curtain Call, who just nipped Henrythenavigator for second on the wire.
Time for the seven furlongs was 1:29 over the course rated as soft.
With the win, New Approach remains undefeated in three starts. He captured the Tyros Stakes (Ire-III) in his previous start.
Rather than just comparing him with former star 2-year-old Teofilo, Jim Bolger had even higher praise for this son of Galileo. “Teofilo was champion 2-year-old of Europe and had middle distances written all over him, as well as showing terrific speed to win the Dewhurst,” he said. "But I see New Approach as a European version of Secretariat. Like him, he’s a chestnut with white legs, and I think his style of racing is the same.”
New Approach is out of the Ahonoora mare Park Express. He was bred in Ireland by Lodge Park Stud and is owned by the trainer’s wife, Jackie.
