Appleby grew up on a farm near Plymouth, where his parents kept ponies and bred Arabian horses. He attended a course at the British Racing School in Newmarket and rode in a few amateur flat races and point-to-point races but abandoned his hopes to become a jockey due to his height and weight. His first job in a Newmarket yard was for trainer Susan Piggott, and he would ride out with the trainer's husband, jockey Lester Piggott. When Susan Piggott retired, Appleby moved to the yard of David Loder[1] In 1998, Loder became a private trainer for Godolphin, and Appleby spent two years working with him in France, and then, in 2002, obtained a post with Godolphin in Newmarket.[2] He worked for Godolphin as travelling head lad and head lad before becoming assistant trainer to Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmood Al Zarooni.[2][3] In 2013, he took over as trainer at Godolphin's Moulton Paddocks after Al Zarooni received an eight-year ban for administering anabolic steroids to 22 horses.[3]
Career as a trainer
Having obtained a trainer's licence from the British Horseracing Authority, Appleby sent out his first runners at the end of July 2013.[4] His first success in a Group/Grade 1 race came in November 2013, when Outstrip won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita Park in California.[1] While based at Moulton Paddocks during the British flat-racing season, he trains during the winter at Godolphin's Al Marmoon stables in Dubai.[5] In November 2014, William Buick was appointed by Godolphin to ride as first stable jockey for Appleby.[6]
Appleby gained his first success in a British Classic in June 2018, when Buick rode to victory in the Derby. It was also a first Derby win for Godolphin.[7] In 2021, he was awarded the title of British flat racing Champion Trainer, with his horses earning nearly £5 million in total prize money.[8] That year, he was also ranked first in Thoroughbred Racing Commentary's global trainer rankings.[9] In 2022, he retained the British champion title, sending out 152 winners at a strike rate of 30%, earning over £6 million in prize money.[8][10]
Personal life
Appleby and his wife Aisling have four children.[11]
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