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Appleby top international trainer...again!

J A McGrath

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby has collected the International Trainer of the Year award for the second successive year.

The coveted prize, given by the UK's International Racing Bureau, was presented as part of the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association's glittering racing awards lunch in London on Monday.

Appleby paid tribute to the many contributors responsible for his accolade.

"I must thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, whose passion for racing and constant drive to achieve the highest professional standards serves as an inspiration to us all," the trainer said.

"To win the races we have won on the global stage means that horses are away from home for long periods, and for such ventures to be successful, you need the right horses and an excellent team to ensure everything goes well, at home and on location.

"I am fortunate in having both. I want to particularly thank my assistants Marie Murphy and Alex Merriam for all their hard work," he added.

Appleby enjoyed another successful year globetrotting with the versatile team of horses he trains for Godolphin at Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket (UK).

Among his big winners on the international stage were Polarisation in the G1 Sydney Cup at Randwick, Australia in April, Wild Illusion in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly, France in October, and Wuheida in the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar, California, in November.

He also enhanced his reputation for landing staying races in Melbourne by sending out the winners of the Listed Cranbourne and Bendigo Cups.