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IT was the morning after the night before at Trillium Place as the team basked in the glory of their twin triumphs in Canadian Grade 1s at Woodbine.
Connections were on a high after Sheikhzayedroad landed the Northern Dancer Stakes and Trade Storm surged to victory in the Woodbine Mile.
For trainer David Simcock, there was little time to celebrate as he caught the red-eye plane down to the Keeneland yearling sales. But there was no disguising his satisfaction at an extraordinary double for Trillium Place.
He said: “These things come along and you make the most of them when they do. They don’t come along very often!
“Personally, you feel like you are doing your job. It’s a great achievement by the staff, it’s great for the owners – probably, most of all, I’m delighted for the horses.
“They are two good old boys aren’t they?! Trade Storm has been frustrating but even when he gets beaten, he is one of those horses you don’t get disappointed with him – he is just a lovely horse to be around.
“Sunday was his kind of race. He got a good pace and beat a useful horse in Kaigun. Sheikh Fahad will decide whether Trade Storm goes to America (Breeders’ Cup Mile) or Australia for his next run – he is entered in the Cox Plate.
“Sheikhzayedroad will either go to Ascot (Champion Stakes) – but only if it came up very soft – or probably back to Canada for the International.”
Trade Storm’s win was his first since February, 2013. But for Sheikhzayedroad, victory marked the completion of a wonderful hat-trick, in the process surviving a stewards’ enquiry in Canada having passed the post with half a length in his favour.
David added: “He only does what he has to. Yesterday was impressive as he will be. I should think if you put him in a 0-90 he would win exactly the same.
“With all his little quirks, he is very honest and very genuine. But he got to the front and thought he had done enough.”
The two horses are sure to receive a hero’s welcome when they return to Newmarket late on Wednesday evening.