Desert Castle has real Champagne sparkle
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 12 Sep 2026
Desert Castle shot to the top of the ante-post betting lists for next year’s 2000 Guineas when dazzling up the Doncaster straight in the Betfred Champagne Stakes.
An impressive winner on debut at Newmarket last month, the Charlie Appleby-trained even-money favourite was settled in rear by big-race pilot Billy Loughnane, who wound up the revs with two furlongs to go, coasting to the lead a furlong out.
He was able to saunter home for a cosy three-length success from Aidan O’Brien’s Sergei Diaghilev, with Betfred going 5-1 for next season’s opening Classic, with Coral a touch bigger at 6s.
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