Tag Archive for: Wathnan Racing

Fallen Angel finished for the season with 2025 in sight

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Fallen Angel will not run again this season but is set to remain in training for connections next year.

The grey, who is handled by Karl Burke, was a Group One-winning two-year-old, landing the Moyglare Stud Stakes on the final run of her juvenile career.

She was the favourite for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in May as a result but could only finish eighth, though she did easily make amends on her next start when taking the Irish equivalent of the race by a good margin.

An absence followed, during which she was purchased by Wathnan Racing, and she returned to make a great impact when second behind Porta Fortuna in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September.

Fallen Angel was a Classic winner for her previous owner
Fallen Angel was a Classic winner for her previous owner (Healy Racing)

A step up in trip followed at ParisLongchamp for the Prix de l’Opera earlier in the month, where the filly was fourth when beaten a length and three-quarters over 10 furlongs.

That will be Fallen Angel’s final outing of the campaign, but she will return to training after a winter break to compete in 2025.

“Fallen Angel is in great shape, we’ve decided that she’s done for the year now and will remain in training for next year,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan.

“We were pleased with the run in the Opera, I think we will regroup for next year and decide on the ideal trip for her.

“I wouldn’t rule out a mile and a quarter for her, for sure, we will discuss it when we get to next season.

“We’ve got a long winter ahead of us to think about it, but she’s very well and she ran with great credit.”



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Wathnan ready to take Classic shot against City Of Troy

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Wathnan Racing are preparing to take aim at City Of Troy after Subsanador put himself in the Breeders’ Cup Classic reckoning at Santa Anita.

So far none of the Emir of Qatar’s growing international string have faced off against Aidan O’Brien’s all-conquering son of Justify, but Richard Mandella’s California Crown Stakes champion could become the first at Del Mar early next month.

The son of Fortify became Wathnan’s first top-level winner in America when guided to a thrilling victory by decorated pilot Mike Smith in the shadows of the San Gabriel Mountains, with the first three hitting the wire in virtual unison.

Subsanador’s head verdict guarantees a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and connections are leaning towards taking a shot at the $7million contest on November 2.

Wathnan’s US representative Case Clay said: “It was an exciting day and we are thinking about the Breeders’ Cup now with the California Crown being a ‘win and you’re in’.

“Before the race we were wondering, if he runs well, would it be the Dirt Mile we point to or the Classic. Of course in the Classic he is going to have to get another furlong, but we’re thinking we’re going to give the Classic a shot.

“It should stack up to be an exciting race with plenty of great horses pointing towards the Classic.”

Not only will Subsanador have to face off against City Of Troy as he puts his exceptional turf record to the test on dirt, the five-year-old will also compete against Japanese challenger Forever Young, the Kentucky Derby third who will arrive at Del Mar fresh off the back of Japan Dirt Classic success.

City Of Troy in his pre-Breeders' Cup gallop at Southwell
City Of Troy in his pre-Breeders’ Cup gallop at Southwell (Mike Egerton/PA)

Clay feels the Classic will be the epitome of what the Breeders’ Cup is all about and is relishing seeing the Wathnan contender taking on the best in the world in a truly global contest.

“With my racing fan hat on, I’m excited City Of Troy is coming as that is what the Breeders’ Cup is all about,” continued Clay.

“He’s an amazing horse from a great outfit and his trainer is one of the best of all time. To see him come over and compete on the dirt is really exciting.

“It’s shaping up to be a truly international event with the Japanese runner, European and Subsanador is from South America.

“In a big way this is what the Breeders’ Cup is, they call it the World Thoroughbred Championships and it is nice when horses come from around the world to compete when there are other big races all over the world they could run in.”



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Wathnan swoop for Kind Of Blue

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Haydock Sprint Cup runner-up Kind Of Blue is the latest acquisition for the Wathnan Racing team.

The Blue Point colt will remain in training with James Fanshawe, who has saddled him to a string of good efforts in Group races this season after two novice victories at the start of the year.

On his CV so far is a fourth-placed run in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, a third-placed effort when beaten only a length in the Hackwood Stakes and two seconds when beaten by a head in both the Phoenix Sprint Stakes and the Sprint Cup.

The Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes may now beckon for Kind Of Blue, who is from the family of two Fanshawe-trained winners of the race in The Tin Man and Deacon Blues.

Richard Brown, Wathnan’s racing adviser, said: “Kind Of Blue is an impressive horse with a big future. He has been extremely well-handled by James, who knows this family so well.

“Kind Of Blue’s dam is a sister to two former stable stars, The Tin Man and Deacon Blues, both winners of the British Champions Sprint. That could well be the target for this fellow, too.”



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Electrolyte likely for repeat trip to Chantilly

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Archie Watson and Wathnan Racing’s Electrolyte is pencilled in for a Chantilly return after landing the Prix Eclipse on Saturday.

The colt was an impressive winner on debut at Ayr in June before missing out by the narrowest of margins when beaten a nose in the Coventry at Royal Ascot.

He was then fifth when beaten three and a half lengths in the July Stakes, after which he stepped up to seven furlongs at Goodwood to come home seventh in the Vintage Stakes.

Having concluded that six furlongs was his preferred trip, connections then sent the Hello Youmzain colt to Chantilly to contest the Group Three Prix Eclipse.

There the bay made all the running for Mickael Barzalona, holding on to score by a nose after seeing off a late surge from the runner-up Polyvega.

Watson had success in the Prix Eclipse with Eddie’s Boy in 2022, who then went on to the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte and was the runner-up behind a very good horse in Roger Varian’s Charyn.

The same race could now await Electrolyte for a return to Group Two level at the same course and over the same distance as the Prix Eclipse.

“We were absolutely delighted with his run, we’d given him a break after Goodwood and he went to Hillwood Stud and spent some time in the field,” said Richard Brown, European racing manager to Wathnan Racing.

“That freshened him up and it was a very pleasing performance.

“I thought Mickael Barzalona gave him a brilliant ride, he just let him settle in front.

“Six (furlongs) is definitely going to be his game, we tried seven and it didn’t work. We were very happy and it was a good performance.

“The most likely race for him is the Group Two back at Chantilly, the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte, that’s what we’re aiming for now.”



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French foray on the cards for Fallen Angel

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Fallen Angel will set her sights on the Prix de l’Opera next after an impressive comeback run when second in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

The Karl Burke-trained filly was full of promise as a juvenile, capping her two-year-old season with Group One success in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh having previously won the Sweet Solera.

She was therefore well-fancied for the 1000 Guineas when returning at three but was out of luck in the Newmarket Classic when eighth of 16 as the 100-30 favourite.

The Irish Guineas was the next port of call and there the daughter of Too Darn Hot bounced straight back to form, prevailing by two and three-quarter lengths under Danny Tudhope on return to the Curragh.

A setback then required Fallen Angel to lay low for a spell, and ahead of her Matron Stakes comeback earlier this month she changed hands when acquired by Wathnan Racing.

Her first start for new connections came after a 111-day absence, and under James Doyle she showed she had lost none of her sparkle when a length runner-up behind Donnacha O’Brien’s exceptional Porta Fortuna.

Connections were thrilled with that effort and now intend to step up to 10 furlongs with the filly for the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp in early October.

“We were delighted with that, she’s obviously had some time off the track since the Irish Guineas,” said Wathnan Racing’s Richard Brown.

“We thought she ran a great race, we were very happy with her, as Porta Fortuna is as good as there is over the distance.

“We were thrilled, James had his first ride on her and he felt that going up in trip would be a big benefit to her, so we’re pointing her towards the Prix de l’Opera next.”



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Wathnan Racing swoop for Irish Guineas heroine Fallen Angel

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Classic winner Fallen Angel has been bought by Wathnan Racing for an undisclosed fee.

Karl Burke’s charge was a Group One winner as a juvenile, landing the Moyglare Stud Stakes, before adding a Classic to her tally when winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh back in May.

The three-year-old was then due to contest the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot but a setback prevented her from lining up in the June highlight and she has been off the track since.

Bred by Steve Parkin’s Branton Court Stud, she raced in the colours of Parkin’s Clipper Logistics but will now sport the old gold and peacock blue colours of Wathnan when she makes her planned return to action in the Matron Stakes next month.

Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan, said: “She’s a tremendous athlete, already a dual Group One winner, and we’re very excited to see what she can do in the months and seasons ahead.”

Burke and Wathnan have already enjoyed high-profile success this term, with Leovanni winning the Queen Mary Stakes and Shareholder taking the Norfolk, both at Royal Ascot.



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Haatem camp hopeful Deauville setback was only minor

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Haatem appears to have escaped serious injury following his dramatic late withdrawal from the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.

Winner of the Craven Stakes on his three-year-old debut, Richard Hannon’s colt went on to finish third in the 2000 Guineas before pushing his esteemed stablemate Rosallion close in the Irish equivalent.

After subsequently being snapped up by prominent owners Wathnan Racing, Haatem enjoyed his day in the sun with a narrow success in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and hopes were high ahead of his return to Group One level in France.

However, with James Doyle unhappy with how his mount was moving on the way to the start, the son of Phoenix Of Spain was quickly declared a non-runner.

With an immediate X-ray failing to reveal any abnormalities, Haatem has now returned to Britain for further evaluation and connections are hopeful there is no major damage.

“He’s travelled back and travelled well. I think we were all keen to get him back as quickly as possible,” said Wathnan’s European racing adviser Richard Brown.

“We are giving him the once over and we’ll probably know more in the next 24 to 48 hours, but certainly the early indications are that it’s nothing serious.

“James said he took a few bad steps and he just didn’t feel he was right, so he pulled him up straight away and we’ll see where we are in the next day or so.

“We don’t think it’s anything serious but we’ll take every possible precaution.

“All plans are on hold for the moment.”



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Hamad Al Jehani celebrates landmark Wathnan winner

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Hamad Al Jehani celebrated his first ever British turf victory after Haunted Dream claimed the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes at Goodwood.

Qatari trainer Al Jehani, who is based in Newmarket, made the move to the United Kingdom in April to join Wathnan Racing’s ever-expanding team.

He had a near miss on Thursday as The Strikin Viking was a half-length runner-up to Black Forza in the Group Two Markel Richmond Stakes, but he finally made his mark thanks to the grey’s triumph at 4-1.

Jockey James Doyle bided his time aboard Haunted Dream in a prominent position behind pacesetter Prague in the one-mile-and-one-furlong contest.

Once Prague began to fade in the closing stages, the son of Oasis Dream kicked clear of the challenging Cairo to prevail by half a length with 6-4 favourite My Prospero finishing strongly in third.

“Haunted Dream always does a very good job. He is an honest horse and we were really confident that he would do his job,” a relieved Al Jehani said.

“I think the race was perfect for him, that pace was great for him, James dealt with him very well and we were very happy – we deserved that for all the team, to be honest, after that disappointing day yesterday.

“Today we deserved to have one of our runners win, so hopefully we might have more.”

Doyle was delighted to help deliver Al Jehani’s landmark win, feeling he had been at fault in the saddle for The Strikin Viking’s second-placed finish.

Haunted Dream, second left, won the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes
Haunted Dream, second left, delivered a half-a-length success at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“He’s a tough horse, isn’t he? He’s had a whole season here last season, then he had a season in Qatar and now he’s come back, so he’s been a busy boy, but he seems to have thrived on it,” Wathnan’s lead jockey said.

“Full credit to Hamad Al Jehani and his team. They felt like we should go again and they were 100 per cent right.

“It’s a key moment for Hamad in his career. His horses have been turned out impeccably, and they’ve run with great credit throughout all the big festival meetings.

“These are sort of tried-and-tested horses and it hasn’t been easy, but they’ve all run good races at Ascot, the Derby meeting… To come here and get a winner has been very important, especially after what happened yesterday with The Strikin Viking.

“We should have been stood over here (winner’s spot) and not in the second spot, and that was purely my fault – unfortunately I pressed the button sooner than I probably should have done, and I really felt for Hamad, because we all felt that would be his first winner.

“It was important today. I know it doesn’t smooth what happened yesterday, but it was important we got one on the board.”

Wathnan were soon celebrating once again when Artagnan landed the Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap by one and a half lengths to shed his maiden tag.

Karl Burke’s runner went off at 16-1 under David Egan and made his move inside the final two furlongs to sit alongside leader Ardennes.

They were neck and neck in the closing stages but once the son of Mehmas got his nose in front with half a furlong to go, there was no stopping the charging colt to secure another two-year-old success for the Spigot Lodge handler this season.

“He’s done that very well. I said to Richard Brown from Wathnan that I was a little bit nervous that he’d had a longish break from Ascot to here, but he got it right,” Burke said. “The way he’s been working at home, I thought he was well-handicapped.

“This has been the plan since Ascot. It’s an important meeting for Wathnan, so this was the target. We’ll see what the handicapper does as to where we go next.”

Egan added: “It was very nice to get the last-minute call-up to ride, and Mr Burke was very confident about the horse. He came here in tremendous form carrying a low weight, and won very nicely.”

It was close to a treble on the day for Wathnan in the concluding Coral Play Racing-Super-Series For Free Handicap, with Doyle and the William Haggas-trained Wafei having to settle for second to the Oisin Murphy-ridden Assailant (John and Thady Gosden) in the colours of Bjorn Nielsen, who enjoyed so many great days at this meeting with Stradivarius.



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The Strikin Viking makes Wathnan Racing transfer

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The Strikin Viking – the exciting colt named after Manchester City star Erling Haaland – will sport the colours of Wathnan Racing on his next start having been the subject of a mid-season transfer to the Qatari-based operation and their trainer Hamad Al-Jehani.

Previously trained and owned by Kevin Ryan and Middleham Park Racing respectively, the son of Inns Of Court made a winning debut at York before running with real credit to finish second in the Group Two Railway Stakes.

His new owners are delighted to have acquired the high-class two-year-old, who will add extra firepower to Al-Jehani’s squad in Newmarket.

Wathnan’s Richard Brown said: “Kevin Ryan and his team have done a very impressive job with The Strikin Viking and Kevin and Tom and Tim Palin of Middleham Park Racing have been a pleasure to deal with.

“Hamad’s got off to an outstanding start in Newmarket with just a handful of horses and Wathnan is keen to support him with some more firepower.

“I’m sure The Strikin Viking will give Wathnan lots of fun over the months ahead.”



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Haatem heading straight back up in trip after Jersey success

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Jersey Stakes scorer Haatem will return to racing over a mile – and possibly further – after it was a case of job done over shorter at Royal Ascot.

The Craven Stakes winner placed in both the 2000 Guineas and the Irish equivalent earlier in the season, but as one of the feature acquisitions of Wathnan Racing’s pre-Ascot recruitment drive, a plan was hatched to drop Richard Hannon’s likeable colt back to seven furlongs at the Royal meeting.

Despite a red-hot cast lying in wait for the Group Three event, the son of Phoenix Of Spain proved up to the task, showing both his guts and class to see off Kikkuli by a short head and cap a fine week for his Qatar-based owners.

“I haven’t overly compared them but it felt like the best Jersey for a number of years, with the biggest field for a number of years, and that wasn’t really what I was planning,” said Wathnan racing adviser Richard Brown when reflecting on Haatem’s success.

“I was thinking he would be a 116-rated horse with a 3lb penalty in a race he could probably deal with quite easily.

“It looked like the Coolmore team were pretty sweet on River Tiber, that’s what the market showed and I was pretty nervous. I was relieved it paid off and he is such a complete warrior and faultless in every way.

“He battled when the other horse came to him and luckily it was the first photo to go our way. We were delighted we won because there was a lot of pressure on that one.”

Haatem and James Doyle after winning the Jersey Stakes
Haatem and James Doyle after winning the Jersey Stakes (John Walton/PA)

Haatem is now set to return to the distance that saw him perform so admirably in Classic company earlier in the season and although keen to avoid a third clash of the year with St James’s Palace Stakes-winning stablemate Rosallion, a return to the highest level is on the cards.

“He will go back up to a mile almost certainly and I think we will explore further in time,” continued Brown.

“I think we will try to avoid Rosallion but all options are open at this stage. I would imagine he will go back up to Group One company and races like the Sussex and Jacques le Marois will come into play.”

Although Haatem is departing the seven-furlong scene almost quicker than he entered it, Wathnan have a ready-made replacement to fill the void in impressive Buckingham Palace Stakes scorer English Oak.

English Oak and connections after winning at Royal Ascot
English Oak and connections after winning at Royal Ascot (PA)

A member of Wathnan’s quartet of winners at the Royal fixture, Ed Walker’s progressive four-year-old is poised to step out of handicap company for a shot at the World Pool Lennox Stakes at Goodwood on July 30.

“I was delighted with him at Ascot and we’ve kind of always followed this horse,” said Brown.

“It was a performance that will take him out of handicaps now and into stakes company and let’s see if he can hold his own.

“I think the Lennox looks a very obvious option and when you have won with that impressive manner over seven furlongs, it seems silly to change.

“We’ve kept him in the July Cup and we will keep an eye on it, but I certainly think it’s most likely the Lennox is going to be choice one.”



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Prix Morny the ‘obvious’ aim for Shareholder

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A move up in trip for the Prix Morny appears likely for Shareholder, with connections confident there is more to come from their impressive Royal Ascot hero as the season progresses.

Shareholder was one of the highlights of a successful week at the Royal meeting for owners Wathnan Racing as he blitzed the opposition in the Norfolk Stakes.

Both Shareholder and fellow Karl Burke-trained juvenile Leovanni obliged for the Qatar-based operation as their pre-Ascot spending spree at both the breeze-up sales and privately paid dividends over the course of the five-day meeting.

And having rapidly gone from exciting €460,000 purchase to Royal Ascot winner via a race at Beverley and in little over a month, the future appears bright for Shareholder.

A trip to Deauville for Group One action on August 18 has been described as “pretty obvious” by Wathnan racing adviser Richard Brown, who is excited to see how the son of Not This Time develops under the careful tutelage of the Spigot Lodge team.

“It was an amazing week and the horses did us proud.” said Brown.

“I think Shareholder was winning 40 days after being in the sales ring and he has gone from France to Newmarket, then to Karl’s and had a run in between and I think everything he has done so far has been done on pure ability.

“He is going to have to learn to race a bit more professionally and he’s seen plenty of daylight in both races. I think he is going to be much better when tucked in and given some cover over six furlongs and then showing that turn of foot coming from behind.

James Doyle aboard Shareholder after winning the Norfolk Stakes
James Doyle aboard Shareholder after winning the Norfolk Stakes (John Walton/PA)

“It’s pretty obvious, there is only really one race, and I would imagine he would go to the Prix Morny.

“I’m sure now Karl will have a bit more time with him, he will be able to bring him back and get him to a good place and he will have so much more time over six furlongs to race professionally and when he does, hopefully he can show he is up to Group One standard.”

Leovanni was equally as impressive when scorching to Queen Mary success a day earlier and having got Wathnan off the mark for the week, it will be a victory Brown will always be grateful for.

The daughter of Kodi Bear, who was a £190,000 Doncaster breeze-up buy, had impressed on debut at Nottingham, but found herself somewhat unwanted on the day of the race at Ascot and was sent off at odds of 22-1.

However, she made a mockery of that price to strike by almost two lengths and now has connections working back from Newmarket’s Cheveley Park Stakes later in the season.

“I was really impressed with Leovanni and her biggest asset is her temperament, she was so chilled before, during and after the Queen Mary,” continued Brown.

“You couldn’t help but be impressed by the way she quickened away from them and she did us proud.

“She got us out the blocks after a slightly frustrating Tuesday when we hit the crossbar a couple of times and it was great – she was a big pressure release for the whole team and I think I will forever be in her debt because there was a lot of pressure on.

Leovanni (right) winning the Queen Mary
Leovanni (right) winning the Queen Mary (David Davies/PA)

“The whole point of the team assembled was that it is not just about Ascot, but also the future and she will definitely be a big part of that now.

“I really haven’t had much of a chance to properly talk to the team yet, but I would imagine we will work backwards from the Cheveley Park. She will probably get a bit of a break now, she’s had a sale and two fairly quick runs.”

As well as the two to find the scoresheet, there was also plenty of excitement derived from the performances of Archie Watson’s Electrolyte and Richard Fahey’s Columnist, who were beaten a nose and a quarter of a length respectively in the Coventry Stakes.

With both Shareholder and Leovanni set for a short breather before returning to action, it is the vanquished Ascot runners who will fly the Wathnan flag in the coming weeks with Electrolyte on course for the July Stakes at Newmarket and stablemate Aesterius heading to Sandown on Friday week for the Dragon Stakes.



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Space Legend ready to make Ascot impact

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Space Legend bids to provide owners Wathnan Racing with an immediate return on their investment in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday.

Runner-up on his sole juvenile appearance at Chelmsford in December, the son of Sea The Stars went one better in some style on his reappearance at Leicester before finishing a luckless second to Meydaan in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood last month.

Space Legend would almost certainly have won that Listed prize had he not been denied a clear run when being produced with his challenge by Tom Marquand, prompting Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown to recommend that the Qatari-based operation added the promising William Haggas-trained colt to their increasingly powerful squad.

“It was one of those things that happens in Goodwood and a furlong out he was last and had to come round them,” he said.

“I was very impressed by the way he made up his ground in that last furlong and he galloped out very strongly. He was definitely an unlucky loser and is a fine, big horse.

“Hopefully he can run a big race for us at Ascot, but is hopefully also a horse with a very big future. James (Doyle) has ridden him work and liked him very much.”

Space Legend is taken on by a quartet of Aidan O’Brien-trained runners in Agenda, Diego Velazquez, Chief Little Rock and The Euphrates, with Ryan Moore siding with Diego Velazquez, who was most recently seen finishing eighth in the French Derby, having been fourth before that in the French 2000 Guineas.

Diego Velazquez and Ryan Moore at Leopardstown
Diego Velazquez and Ryan Moore at Leopardstown (Damien Eagers/PA)

“We have four in here and there is little between all of them, with perhaps Chief Little Rock and Diego Velazquez having the best form credentials as it stands,” the jockey told Betfair.

“Chief Little Rock was very good from the front over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh last time, and he steps up in trip along with my mount Diego Velazquez, who was possibly a bit below par in the French Derby last time after finishing an excellent fourth in their Guineas.

“Things didn’t go his way there (in the French Derby), and hopefully he can show his true worth here. It’s obviously a very open race and Agenda put up a big performance at Chester last time, so I wouldn’t ignore his claims. ”

Francis-Henri Graffard’s French raider Calandagan, a dual Group Three in his homeland this spring, and John and Thady Gosden’s unbeaten dual winner Theory Of Tides also feature.

Graffard said: “He is a nice horse, he has won two Group Threes and the plan has always been to take him to Ascot for this race.

“A mile and a half won’t be a problem for him. He has a nice wide draw and we will see where we stand against this quality. He is not ground dependent.”

O’Brien fires a twin assault at the Group Three Albany Stakes, with Naas Group Three winner Fairy Godmother joined by stablemate Heavens Gate, who impressed on her second start at the Curragh.

Moore, who rides the former, said: “After being beaten on her debut, Fairy Godmother reversed the form with the winner Sparkling Sea in a Group Three at Naas last time, and did so nicely after meeting trouble in running.

“Again, we are dealing with unexposed two-year-olds here but I’d like to think she is the one to beat after the way she did it last time, though you have to respect Mountain Breeze. We also have Heavens Gate in here, who we considered running in the Queen Mary on Wednesday. She is not out of this.”

Mountain Breeze looks a major contender for Charlie Appleby and William Buick after impressing twice at Newmarket in May.

“She’s a half-sister to Pinatubo and was more impressive I felt on her second start when she stepped up to six furlongs and she goes there as a live player,” said Appleby.

“It’s billed to be a competitive race, as it always is, but she’s a filly that we’ve been very pleased with since the spring and she’s not disappointed us to date.”



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Wathnan swoop for French Derby runner-up First Look

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Wathnan Racing have added to their burgeoning squad for Royal Ascot with the purchase of Prix du Jockey Club runner-up First Look.

Trained by Andre Fabre, the son of Lope De Vega found only impressive winner Look De Vega too good at Chantilly.

Before that he had occupied the same position at Chantilly behind leading St James’s Palace stakes contender Darlinghurst.

Master trainer Fabre has been responsible for seven Royal meeting winners, the last of those being Le Brivido in the 2016 running of the Jersey Stakes.

Richard Brown, racing adviser to the Qatari-owned Wathnan operation, said: “Andre’s delighted with the way he’s come out of the race, and he’s under consideration for the Hampton Court at the end of next week.”



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James Doyle under no illusions despite strong book of Ascot rides

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It is not unusual for James Doyle to have some nice rides to look forward to at Royal Ascot. But there is a different kind of pressure this time around, as he prepares to ride as first jockey to the burgeoning Wathnan Racing for the first time at the meeting.

Doyle is no stranger to riding for powerhouse operations. He was swiftly snapped up by Juddmonte as their retained rider early into his career and his recent CV is littered with success in the royal blue of Godolphin for whom he rode as able deputy to his great friend William Buick.

Even Aidan O’Brien has come calling over the past few years, but he is now the man in the privileged position of riding the pick of the Emir of Qatar’s growing racing empire.

Wathnan’s backroom team have been busy assembling a stellar squad for battle at the summer showpiece they enjoyed immediate success at in 2023.

Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami and Queen’s Vase scorer Gregory were both on the scoresheet 12 months ago and all eyes will be on the man in the saddle as he attempts to add to his 18 Royal Ascot winners.

James Doyle has some big rides to look forward to for Wathnan
James Doyle has some big rides to look forward to for Wathnan (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Ascot is a high-pressure week and Wathnan have invested heavily so they want success,” said Doyle.

“But as we know that doesn’t guarantee success and we know how difficult Ascot can be.

“I’ve gone there some years thinking I have great chances and have come away with nothing so you need a lot of luck and everything to go right.”

When not riding one of Wathnan’s plethora of stars – which include the likes of new recruits Shartash, dual Classic-placed Haatem and King Edward VII hope Space Legend – the 36-year-old will have the backing of Roger Varian’s talented, including 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka when she seeks to double up in the Coronation Stakes.

The jockey appreciates he is in a position many would dream of.

“Wathnan have 20-odd runners and there’s a few for Roger Varian as well, but it’s a tough week. It’s never easy is it. I’m very privileged and in a lucky position,” he said.

“Let’s hope we get plenty of luck and the horses perform to their best.”

Haatem has been added to the Wathnan ranks and will run in the Jersey Stakes
Haatem has been added to the Wathnan ranks and will run in the Jersey Stakes (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Doyle has an old ally to call on for what he feels is his best chance of the week, Richard Hannon’s Haatem, who will drop back to seven furlongs for the Jersey Stakes on the final day of the meeting.

The son of Phoenix Of Spain was owned by Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah when Doyle steered him to a respectable third behind Notable Speech and stablemate Rosallion in the 2000 Guineas, but having backed that up with another placed effort in the Irish equivalent, will now sport the peacock blue and gold colours of Wathnan.

“Haatem in the Jersey would be a standout chance dropping back in trip,” continued Doyle.

“He travels well and travels strongly and while not ideal dropping back a furlong, he has the right credentials to handle a race like that. He’s not a horse short of speed and he travels.

“He will be the shortest-priced horse of all of ours I imagine and he’s dual Guineas-placed. Obviously it’s a Group Three and we might scare a few off.”

Having been associated with Ascot winners already since joining the ownership ranks early last year and then invested heavily at the sales over both the autumn and spring, Wathnan have been making their presence felt in the two-year-old ranks this term, amassing an enviable collection of juveniles.

Karl Burke’s pair of Leovanni and Shareholder have both looked full of speed and are among the favourites for the Queen Mary and Norfolk Stakes respectively.

There is also another Yorkshire handler Doyle will be looking to in the two-year-old events, as he highlighted two useful colts trained by Richard Fahey.

“Catalyse worked very nicely the other morning, whether he is good enough to win a Coventry I’m not quite sure and obviously Aidan O’Brien’s horses look very smart,” explained Doyle.

“Shadow Army goes for the Windsor Castle and he worked nicely the other morning as well.”

Kingman remains the best horse James Doyle has ridden
Kingman remains the best horse James Doyle has ridden (Steve Parsons/PA)

It was 2013 when Doyle first made an impact at the Royal meeting and having struck on Al Kazeem in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, he quickly added the Royal Hunt Cup aboard Belgian Bill before booting home Clive Brittain’s Rizeena in what was a red-letter day for the fledgling pilot.

However, it was a year later when arguably the best horse of his career, Kingman, gave him what is still one of his biggest days when enacting revenge on 2000 Guineas conqueror Night Of Thunder in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Doyle said: “It’s hard to imagine it’s been 10 years and he was a wonder horse wasn’t he. It’s great to see his progeny doing so well now.

“It was a special day – there are not many years you go into Royal Ascot with an out-and-out banker, but he certainly was in 2014.”



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Haggas-trained Space Legend joins Wathnan Racing team for Ascot

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Wathnan Racing have acquired leading King Edward VII Stakes contender Space Legend ahead of Royal Ascot.

The peacock blue and gold colours of the Emir of Qatar’s racing operation will be prominent next week, after a number of eyecatching purchases that compliment the likes of Gregory, who won the Queen’s Vase 12 months ago and this year goes for the Gold Cup in the absence of his Wathnan-owned stablemate Courage Mon Ami.

A son of Sea The Stars, the William Haggas-trained Space Legend was an easy Leicester maiden winner on his reappearance this season, before enduring a luckless passage when a neck second in the Cocked Hat at Goodwood.

As well as his Royal meeting engagement, the lightly-raced colt also holds an entry in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing, said: “Space Legend is a lovely progressive type, typical of the best by his sire. We’re really looking forward to seeing how he develops in the months and seasons ahead.”



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