Dubai: Being crowned champion of the All-Weather in the UK this season could be the perfect tonic that Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby is seeking as he heads into the 2015 European flat-racing season, which begins in earnest at Newmarket’s Craven meeting in two weeks’ time.

Appleby had saddled a record 73 winners going into All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Lingfield Park on Friday, surpassing Mark Johnston’s previous tally of 69 winners

“It’s a great privilege to be crowned champion on the All-Weather, and it has been big team effort from everyone concerned,” said Appleby.

“It’s something we’ve never done in Godolphin before here in the UK, have a team of horses for the winter.

“From our perspective, it’s been great. The yard has been kept active — we regrouped during the course of last year and put a team of people together and everyone has slotted in to their roles well.

“The only way you can assess that is by good results and with what we’ve achieved this winter. I’m happy and confident going into the turf season that everyone is in their positions and doing a great job and, from a team point of view, we’re in really good nick.”

Appleby was appointed a Godolphin trainer in July 2013, having joined the world’s leading racing stable 15 years earlier, during which time he also worked as an assistant trainer.

After winning his maiden title, he was full of praise for the way the All-Weather season was run.

“There’s been a great programme set out on the All-Weather, the prize money has been great and sponsorships have been brilliant,” said the Hampshire-born handler.

“There’s a lovely array of races out there, black type and Listed races and good handicaps to be won. It can only raise the profile of All-Weather racing.

“You need a decent horse to turn up and win nowadays — people will say that’s what we’ve got, but we’ve got to keep them fit and well during the winter. It’s a two-way deal, All-Weather racing has done well for it all and we’ve done particularly well,” he added.

“And from the jockeys’ point of view, it’s been great. A couple of our apprentices have been out there and raised their profiles — Kevin Stott and Shane Gray — and have done a great job and hopefully it will help their careers along as they can go into the turf season.”

The British flat season swings into top gear on Wednesday, April 15, with the two-day Craven meeting.