'A Big Player ´ - Distant Storm Brewing In Acomb Stakes

Charlie Appleby is confident Distant Storm is heading to York as a "big player" for Wednesday's Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.


The Godolphin team went to EUR1.9 million to secure the colt's services at the Arqana breeze-up sale in May and he provided an immediate return on their investment when making an effective start to his career, albeit narrowly, at Newmarket's July Festival.


That type could barely have exercised much better, with not just the runner-up Constitution River and the 3rd because, but also the fifth, 6th, seventh, ninth and 10th home.


Winning launching


1.9 million guineas purchase Distant Storm (Night Of Thunder) gives @godolphin, Buick & Appleby yet another win on the July Course pic.twitter.com/CuTT7Xrv3V


- Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 11, 2025


Couple that with the truth Distant Storm is reproduced in the purple as a boy of Night Of Thunder out of Date With Destiny, who was the sole foal produced by the fantastic George Washington, and it is not a surprise Appleby is anticipating a strong showing from his charge on the Knavesmire.


"I'm really delighted with the way he has come out of Newmarket, he ran as we expected and has actually always revealed himself up as a nice horse," the Moulton Paddocks handler informed Tattersalls.


"The Acomb was a race we had in mind as soon as he broke his maiden. The method he's done considering that his maiden indicates we're going with self-confidence that he will be a big gamer.


"He's a horse that's developing all the time and hopefully looks as though he has got an intense future."


Italy in the parade ring ahead of the bet365 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket (Joe Giddens/PA)


The most significant hazard to Distant Storm seems the Aidan O'Brien-trained Italy, who landed cramped chances on his Leopardstown introduction before finishing 2nd to Appleby's Saba Desert in the Group Two Superlative Stakes on the July course.


O'Brien said: "He ran well at Newmarket. The race was a bit messy however he ran well, he was still green.


"We think and hope he should have begun a bit and we're expecting a great run."


Other competitors include Andrew Balding's Newbury winner Gewan and David Menuisier's Goodwood Galaxy, who won on his launching at Salisbury before positioning an extremely creditable 4th in Goodwood's Vintage Stakes.


I think he'll be much better over a mile


"He ran a great race at Goodwood and it makes good sense to run here," stated Menuisier.


"I think he'll be much better over a mile, but there's no ideal mile race showing up today so it makes good sense to go for the Acomb and after that we'll most likely step him up in journey.


"He was slowly away at Goodwood and without that he could have ended up even closer, but that is all in the past now and we're aiming to the future."