Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes
Group 2, York 15:00
£250,000 guaranteed,
2yo only,
6f, Class 1    
Friday 22nd August 2025

1 Lifeplan 13/2
2 Rock On Thunder 7/2
3 Do Or Do Not 2/1F
8 ran Distances: 1l, 5l, 1¾l
Time: 1m 9.79s (fast by 0.41s)

Lifeplan — from novice company at Thirsk only a few weeks ago to Group Two glory on the Knavesmire — and he made the leap look seamless.

Bought for €165,000 as a yearling, Declan Carroll’s Kodi Bear colt had hinted at plenty in quieter waters, but this was a sterner test. Six furlongs at York, Group Two colts charging down the straight, and the question: would he belong?

Zak Wheatley, still able to claim three, had him parked in midfield early. No rush, no panic. Rock On Thunder took them along, the 2-1 favourite Do Or Do Not in position, but as they hit the rising ground Wheatley nudged, Lifeplan lengthened — and then really surged. From two down it looked a stretch; by the line he was a length in front, Do Or Do Not left five lengths adrift in third. From novice to Group horse in one bold stride.

Malton-based Carroll was full of praise afterwards:

“He’s a very nice horse and he’s always showed that he’s a nice horse.

“I would have liked a bit more juice in the ground, he changed legs once or twice.

“He’s a nice horse to go forward with, you saw how he ran down the leader and we’ve always held him in high regard.

“I thought it was a stiff task after just winning a novice to come into a Group Two, but he is very streetwise.

“We’ll enjoy today. He could be a Guineas horse, I guess, he’s in the Middle Park and that may his next step, but I’d want a bit of ease in the ground coming into the dip at Newmarket.”

And for Wheatley, the moment was one to savour:

“It’s amazing – there’s no feeling like this. To be trusted with him on the track is massive. I look after him every day at home, so I know him well.
“He was a bit keen going down and we had a plan to get a lead, but he jumped smart and came back underneath me after a few strides. It’s a long straight and he really took off at the end.

“I thought at one stage we were struggling to get the runner-up, but this horse is amazing. He’s a beast, that’s got such an engine.”

Rock On Thunder lost little in defeat and trainer Kevin Ryan’s words told the tale:

“We were a little bit concerned about the ground, that it might be a little bit too quick for him, but he handled it OK.

“He’s jumped, he’s travelled and got up fairly quickly when we went past the two and I thought it was done and dusted.

“But he’s a very good horse, we think an awful lot of him and he’ll have bigger and better days ahead.

“When you get done late on it’s hard, Declan is a friend of mine and I’m delighted for him, but I’m obviously disappointed.

“He’s run great, he’s a young horse and an exciting horse for the future. We got beat and I’m delighted for the connections of the winner.”

BoyleSports

Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2)
£250,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 6f, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (6)    Lifeplan 2 9-2 Declan Carroll Zak Wheatley 13/2
2 (7) 1 Rock On Thunder 2 9-2 Kevin Ryan Kevin Stott 7/2
3 (1) 5 Do Or Do Not 2 9-2 Ed Walker Tom Marquand 2/1F
4 (4) 1¾ Comical Point 2 9-2 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 10/1
5 (5) nk Egoli 2 9-2 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 5/1
6 (3) 2¾ Reciprocated 2 9-2 K R Burke Clifford Lee 7/1
7 (8) hd Irish Fighter 2 9-2 Ismail Mohammed Mickael Barzalona 22/1
8 (2) nk Yorkshire Puds 2 9-2 Michael Appleby Jason Hart 80/1

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