Godolphin homebred Desert Castle (Frankel), a G1 Dewhurst entry, followed up a taking TDN Rising Star debut over seven furlongs at Newmarket last month with an equally-impressive effort for Billy Loughnane in Saturday's G2 Betfred Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.“We went there with a bit of confidence hoping he's a nice horse, he's gone and obliged and I'm delighted with that performance,” said Charlie Appleby. “We'll head to the Dewhurst now.”Loughnane continued, “It was all very straightforward for him and he really showed a good turn of foot when I let him stretch out through the last furlong. It's a big crowd today, which is fantastic to see, but it's hard for two-year-olds. He had a good look around, but will learn plenty. He's still very raw and there's plenty still left in the tank, so he's a horse with a future. I imagine he'll go into top company next, but he enjoyed himself today and getting his toe in a bit more helped. Hopefully he has a good end to the year.”The even-money favourite and was settled within range of the pace, racing last of the five runners, through halfway in this black-type bow.Making eyecatching headway into contention with a quarter-mile remaining, he cruised to the front approaching the final furlong and lengthened clear in style once given a shake of the reins by Loughnane to easily overpower Listed Churchill Stakes victor Sergei Diaghilev (Wootton Bassett) and G3 Solario third Breacher (Cracksman) by three lengths and 1 1/4 lengths.Reflecting on the performance of runner-up Sergei Diaghilev, Wayne Lordan commented, “It was very straightforward. He jumped, I popped along nicely and he quickened up well. We were just second best on the day and beaten by a good one.”Bleacher's co-trainer William Muir added, “It was a Group 2, they're very good horses and I never came here saying we would win. We knew it was a good race, and we gave it a go because we know he's improved and he's proved he's improved. He wants a mile, but there wasn't an opportunity to go a mile. There's the [G3] Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, but a lot of horses can get beat at Newmarket, so I thought we'll go here on a level track. We'll be back here for the [G1] Futurity [Trophy].” SERIOUS PERFORMANCE! DESERT CASTLE WINS THE GROUP 2 BETFRED CHAMPAGNE STAKES! @DoncasterRaces @loughnane_billy @godolphin pic.twitter.com/6WZbtT0Q7h— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 12, 2026 Pedigree NotesDesert Castle, who becomes the 126th Group-race winner for his sire, is the 11th of 12 foals and one of six scorers out of G2 Flying Childers victrix Sand Vixen (Dubawi).Sand Vixen is a half-sister to Listed-winning G3 Greenham third So Will I (Inchinor) and to the dams of the G3 Prix Eclipse runner-up King Of Spades (Foxwedge) and the stakes-placed Irish Gent (Ten Sovereigns).The winner is a full-brother to G1 Jebel Hatta hero Dream Castle, the multiple Grade I-placed G2 Cape Verdi and G2 Balanchine victrix With The Moonlight and a yearling colt.The post ‘He’ll Head To The Dewhurst Now’: TDN Rising Star Desert Castle Impresses in Champagne Stakes Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.