As Wathnan Racing went on its pre-Royal Ascot spending binge, it was the acquisition of 3-year-old colt Haatem that confirmed fairly how critical Sheikh Tamim, the Emir of Qatar, was in regards to the assembly.
Winner of the Craven Stakes (G3) and positioned in each the English and Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1), Haatem wouldn’t have been simply or cheaply pried away from Kuwaiti royal Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah, and but there he was within the Wathnan silks.
Dropped again in journey to seven furlongs from a mile within the Jersey Stakes (G3), and conceding weight to his 18 opponents, Haatem, the poster boy for his burgeoning new proprietor, dug down deep and delivered.
There was solely a brief head on the line between Haatem and Kikkuli , Juddmonte’s half brother to the nice Frankel , however his victory ensured those that assembled the Wathnan Racing group for Royal Ascot week may really feel appreciable satisfaction.
“It has been unbelievable, an unbelievable week,” mentioned Olly Tait, Wathnan Racing’s senior consultant. “It is an enormous honor to be concerned with horses of this caliber. It was beautiful that Wathnan bought off to the beginning that it did final yr, and this yr has been equally unbelievable. Join BloodHorse Day by day
“This week means so much to everybody within the trade, it is one of many set piece weeks of the yr, and there isn’t any one concerned in racing in any manner that would not need to be concerned with winners right here.”
Haatem simply holds off Kikkuli to win the Jersey Stakes at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/bEoaOrIQc7— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 22, 2024
The dimensions of Qatar’s head of state into possession in Britain was clearly on show throughout Royal Ascot, with 28 horses carrying Sheikh Tamim’s silks.
Haatem adopted Queen Mary Stakes (G2) winner Leovanni , Norfolk Stakes (G2) winner Shareholder , and handicap winner English Oak (GB) in successful on the Royal assembly for Wathnan. Whereas not commenting on what it has price to assemble such a squad, Tait didn’t deny it had taken within the area of £3 million to safe the operation’s last winner.
“I clearly would not touch upon that however, like him, we purchased horses who may carry out properly right here and sooner or later,” Tait mentioned. “He got here right here with an enormous fame and that was properly deserved on what he had finished. To win a race that deep freely giving weight, I believed he carried out like a lion. It was unbelievable to observe simply how recreation he was.”
Haatem’s victory was notably pleasing for coach Richard Hannon, not solely as a result of his affection for the horse however his perception that the success may act as an inspiration for others.
“He is one in all my favorites, and if ever a horse deserved to win, it was him,” Hannon mentioned. “He price 27,000 guineas and we could not promote him as a yearling, he was the final one we offered, identical to it was with Canford Cliffs, and he turns to gold.
“Our yard is an eat-in, not a takeaway, and it is good that these homeowners are available in and maintain the horses within the yard. For all of the folks right here at the moment, the folks watching, horses like him are an incentive to get entangled within the recreation.”
