From stable boy to Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, Charlie Appleby’s rise has been steep

MELBOURNE Cup-winning trainer Charlie Appleby was once merely a cog in the Godolphin juggernaut but is now a part of lore after winning the Blue Army’s first Cup.

Trainer Charlie Appleby, jockey Kerrin McEvoy and strapper Nick Van Eeden celebrate the Melbourne Cup win with Cross Counter.

IN the complex world of privilege and breeding that passes for British racing hierarchy – horse and human - the rise of Charlie Appleby is a salutary tale.

A former amateur jockey who cut his teeth on hot-headed ponies and moody Arabs, Appleby was merely a cog in Godolphin’s formidable Blue Army until 2013.

Having served as head lad, Appleby was suddenly promoted to the role of trainer for Godolphin’s Moulton Paddocks stable in Newmarket when Mahmood Al-Zarooni was banned for doping.

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For much of the previous two decades, Appleby had worked his way up from stable boy, mucking out boxes and taming uncontrollable youngsters.

Yesterday, at 43, Appleby became part of Melbourne Cup lore when he not only delivered England’s first victory but also Godolphin’s.

For a man who spent much of his life honing skills on his parents farm near Plymouth in the south of England before joining Godolphin, Cup triumph matched June’s heady Epsom Derby success with Masar.

Cross Counter jockey Kerrin McEvoy and trainer Charlie Appleby celebrate with the Melbourne Cup.

Appleby sought to win both races for the first time for Sheikh Mohammed after being promoted – and has duly delivered.

“When I got my licence, people were asking me what two races would you like to win for Godolphin, and thankfully I have just knocked out my second one,” he said.

“There is no pressure put upon us (to win a Cup). People under pressure make rash decisions, but I feel we are making the right decisions.

“The sense of achievement is amazing … the results this year has been phenomenal.

“This is everybody’s dream. This is all down to Sheikh Mohammed.

“He’s the one that’s given us all the encouragement to take the chances in what we do internationally.

“We’ve campaigned over here the last three years now. We’ve been competitive but we’ve learnt more on each trip what will make us more competitive on the day.

“Coming into today, this horse ticked a lot of boxes. We’re just delighted.”

Appleby has made an art of identifying the ideal horses to bring to Australia.

His scalps here include Polarisation (Sydney Cup), Jungle Cat (Rupert Clarke Stakes) and a string of spring features with Qewy and Folkswood and others.

“That’s what it’s all about, the learning curve,” Appleby said.

“I’m just in a fortunate position to have the horses to make the call on which are the right ones to bring down here.

Cross Counter Melbourne Cup winning trainer and jockey Charlie Appleby and Kerrin McEvoy. Picture: Michael Klein

“Thank the Lord we brought the right one on this occasion.

“This is huge. This is huge for everybody. For me, of course this is the biggest thing along with the (English) Derby.

“This year has just been one of those amazing years. Don’t want it to end, really.”

When Cross Counter and Hamada arrived in Australia last month, Appleby described the pair as the two most exciting horses he has brought here.

Hamada was destroyed after a track accident last month, a setback not lost on Appleby in the wake of Cross Counter’s win.

“We’ve had a testing couple of weeks,” he said. “But it makes you stronger.”

Originally published as From stable boy to Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, Charlie Appleby’s rise has been steep