The New generation

After the extraordinary unbroken series of juvenile victories recorded by Teofilo in 2006, it seemed too much to hope that another Galileo colt from the same stable could achieve exactly the same feat. But this was exactly what New Approach did, coasting through his two-year-old season, his five outings ending in five triumphs, building from a maiden success to G3, G2 and then two G1 victories.

His seasonal reappearance in May in the 2,000 Guineas saw him lose out by a nose to Henrythenavigator, and he was runner-up to him later that month in the Irish version. Success quickly came his way again, however, as he carried Princess Haya’s colours to victory in the world’s most prestigious Classic, the Derby at Epsom. Before he retired to Dalham Hall Stud, two more top-level wins would be his in the Irish and English Champion Stakes.

New Approach is one of those rare thoroughbreds in whom speed and stamina combine to equal pure class. And as his €430,000 yearling price tag implied, he’s also an extremely good-looking horse.

This year we will see what his first runners can do. New Approach is 11/8 pre-season favourite to take the first-season sires’ title and his juveniles have every chance of succeeding, being in some of the biggest stables in Europe, including the yards of John Oxx, Mark Johnston, Roger Varian, Ed Dunlop, Andrew Balding, Pascal Bary and Godolphin.

New Approach’s former trainer, Jim Bolger, who has ten of his two-year-olds in training, isn’t wasting any time, with his homebred Dawn Approach becoming his sire's very first runner and first winner on 25 March with an impressive victory at The Curragh.

Bolger was first off the mark with Teofilo’s runners, sending out his first winner last April. That colt was Parish Hall, who went on to win the Dewhurst Stakes, just like his sire. It’s perhaps hoping for too much to think that lightning could strike twice with New Approach – but it’s happened before.