APPLAUS. 23 February 2012. Tiger Hill-All About Love. Owner-The Deckchair Syndicate.
Applaus is a German bred gelding, out of an unraced Winged Love mare, that also produced the listed placed All For You, who recorded a best Racing Post Rating of 93. Applaus has raced on 24 occasions to date, in two points, two bumpers, six chases, and 14 hurdle races, winning on four occasions.
Applaus made his racecourse debut in November 2015 in a juvenile bumper, staying on after being outpaced over one mile, and six furlongs at Carlisle, to finish a 13 length third under Joe Colliver. He put the experience to good use at Wetherby next time by coming home unchallenged for a 13 lengths win.In better company at Newcastle two weeks later, under a penalty, he finished a respectable third, before a return visit to Gosforth Park in February 2016, to finish third again, and round off his first season.
On his return in November he made his hurdles debut, finishing a very respectable 12 lengths forth to the brilliant Sam Spinner, before returning to Newcastle 15 days later, and finishing third, this time to the very classy Elgin. He disappointed on his next start at Kelso, but it may have been that the two miles, and six furlongs was too far, as he had never raced beyond two miles before.Back over two miles in February 2017, he broke his duck over hurdles, in heavy ground, receiving a BHA mark of 120.His final race that season gave him his second hurdles win, when wining another novice hurdle, this time under a penalty. He made his chase debut at Carlisle in October, but did not enjoy the experience, pulling up before two out.He stepped into handicap company next time,showing he could run just as well over fences, by finishing second off a mark of 118.He was then third in good company in a novice chase at Catterick, before a disappointing run, albeit in a hot novice at Newcastle. Applaus enjoyed his finest moment to date on March 18th, 2018 at Wetherby, when getting off the mark over fences for the first time. It was also a very proud day for the yard as well, as we didn't only have the winner, but also the second, and third placed horses, Caraline who was second gave Applaus 5lb, and Roxyfet who was third, received 15lb, from Applaus.
At the end of the 2018 season he was sent to go point to pointing for the yard of Edward Turner.He ran twice at Penshurst, and Fakenham P-T-P Course, but pulled up on both occasions.
He returned to us for the 2019-2020 season, and has competed in six hurdle races since returning, with his best effort coming at Southwell in October, when going under by a short head in a race he would have won, but for hanging badly on the run in. Applaus is a horse who just needs to get his confidence back, he has a touch of class, acts on any ground, but probably doesn't want any further than two and a half miles.He is still only eight years old, and from a much reduced mark of 105,there could still be plenty more to come.