Ryan and Callan hit the jackpot

Kevin Ryan and Neil Callan tasted victory at the highest level for the first time when they teamed up with Amadeus Wolf in the Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

The Hambleton, near Thirsk, trainer and his jockey have formed a highly-successful partnership over the last two years and this Group One win was the icing on the cake for the duo.

Ryan, who is enjoying his best season with 69 winners, has always held Amadeus Wolf in high regard and nominated this contest as his next target after his fine win in the Gimcrack Stakes at York in August.

On that occasion he defeated Red Clubs by a length and a half when he was in receipt of 5lb from the runner-up, and it was Barry Hills’ youngster who once again proved the main threat to Ryan’s charge.

The field was reduced to six following the withdrawals of Art Museum with a vets certificate, Classic Encounter due to the rain-softened ground and Guest Connections, who was unruly in the stalls.

Once under way it was Always Hopeful who took them along at a good clip, chased by Amadeus Wolf and Red Clubs with the slow-starting 2-1 favourite Ivan Denisovich towards the rear.

Callan always appeared confident on the winner and he booted the 4-1 shot into the lead over a furlong out.

He was strongly pressed by Red Clubs but ultimately he proved too strong and landed the £98,600 first prize by a length and a quarter from his old rival.

Always Hopeful was a further two lengths back in third, with Ivan Denisovich next followed by Prince Of Light and Johnny Alpha.

The win earned Amadeus Wolf quotes for the 2000 Guineas ranging from 20-1 with totesport to 33-1 with William Hill, and Ryan is keen to have a crack at the Classic back at Newmarket next spring.

He said: “You have to give the Guineas a go and he won’t run again this year. He’s bred to get the mile.

“He’s learned how to race properly, he’s learned to relax and you can put him anywhere in a race now. In his first couple of runs he was trying to do everything too quickly.

“We’ll have to have a go at the Guineas and if he doesn’t stay he doesn’t stay, but my gut feeling is he will stay.

“I have never had a Classic runner before and to get a horse like this is unbelievable.”

Ryan, who came closest to Group One glory in the past when Eastern Purple was fourth in the Prix de l’Abbaye, was very relieved when his colt held on.

He said: “The last furlong felt like a mile.

“He travelled good and picked up well and I thought that winning line was never going to come.

“Neil said this morning he was going to be positive on him – he wasn’t going to hang about. There was plenty of pace in the race and I left it up to Neil how to ride it. They went a good gallop and he picked up good.

“It’s great for this horse because we’ve always thought a lot of him. There was a little bit of doubt about the ground. He had a bit of form on soft ground in a maiden but this was different.

“I’m really proud of the horse. He’s improved as the year has gone on. He’s been getting stronger. I gave him a nice break after York and he’s come on for it and he’s proved he’s a very good horse.

“To get a horse like this is fantastic.”

After weighing-in, Callan added: “Hopefully he’ll be back next spring for the Guineas and I’m pretty confident he’ll stay.

“I was really confident today and I think he’s a live Guineas contender. It’s been a fantastic year and that’s 131 winners now.

“I got the job with Kevin just over two years ago and it’s been fantastic. He’s a great boss.

“It’s a special moment for me – it’s the biggest win of my career.”

The second and third could renew rivalry in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes a fortnight tomorrow.

Hills said: “He’s run a very good race. It’s no good making excuses after the race, but he’s a horse that needs ground with a bit more life in it.

“If he runs again this year it will be in the Dewhurst, otherwise that will be it.”

Eoghan O’Neill, who trained Always Hopeful, said: “He’s run a super race.

“Ivan Denisovich was fourth, so we’ve turned it around on him from France.

“The ground was fine – any ground will do him, so no excuses. I’m very happy with him.

“We might run him in the Dewhurst. We’ll see who is going to show up there. He’s had a long season, so we might call it a day.

“Really today was the day.”