Al Shaqab Makes Big U.S. Splash at OBS

Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani–represented by last year’s brilliant G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB})–began his expansion to the U.S. by storm via his Al Shaqab Racing by acquiring two juveniles, including the co-topping $1.6-million son of Tapit and a $450,000 Unbridled’s Song filly, at Tuesday’s record-setting OBS March Sale. Al Shaqab Racing was also the underbidder on the co-topping $1.6-million Giant’s Causeway colt. 
Al Shaqab Racing’s very recently appointed U.S. Racing Advisor Bradley Weisbord outlasted a fierce battle with trainer Todd Pletcher to land the full brother to MGISW Zazu and last term’s GII Robert B. Lewis S. hero Flashback. The gray, consigned by Eddie Woods Agent XL on behalf of his breeder S F Bloodstock as Hip 350, covered an eighth in :10 2/5 at the breeze show. 
“This was a can’t-miss colt,” Weisbord commented after receiving a pat on the back from Woods. “Tapit is the hottest sire in America, and he’s a full to a Grade I winner in Zazu and a Grade II winner in Flashback. It’s an exciting day for the American bloodstock business as Al Shaqab has made their first two purchases at public auction in America. Obviously, I’ve been newly appointed as U.S. racing advisor, so everything is still very new on my end. I’m going to get on the next plane to London and we will figure out the plans for the future for Al Shaqab Racing. We’ll slowly build out a plan for Al Shaqab’s racing future in America, but our intention is to win the biggest races that America has to offer. Whether it’s the Kentucky Derby/Kentucky Oaks, Breeders’ Cup races, etc., those are the races that the team wants to win.” 
The Apr. 16 foal was produced by the Mr. Greeley mare Rhumb Line. A trainer is yet to be decided for either of Al Shaqab Racing’s purchases, according to Weisbord. 
“That’s about where we valued him,” Weisbord added of the Tapit colt. “He’s a fancy horse. He’s a top two or the top horse in the sale. The market seems to be flying right now and that’s what those horses are bringing. Obviously, if he goes out there and wins a Grade I, he’s going to be a top stallion prospect in America. He’s got the best pedigree in the sale, and for him to go out there and breeze like he did for a Tapit this early, was very impressive.” 
Woods added, “I didn’t think he’d bring $1.6 million, I thought he’d sell really high though. He’s a fantastic-looking horse with a stallion’s pedigree and he walked around here like he owned the place. At the end of the day, he’s by the best stallion in the country at the moment.” 
Weisbord also signed for Hip 81 on behalf of Al Shaqab Racing, a filly by Unbridled’s Song from the family of the ill-fated GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles (Unbridled’s Song). Consigned by de Meric Sales, the gray was produced by the unraced Forest Wildcat mare Be My Prospect. She breezed an eighth in :10 2/5 at the first under-tack show. 
“We’ve added two really nice prospects to the stable,” Weisbord commented. “She was our top filly prospect in the sale. She’s bred on a very similar cross as Eight Belles, who could’ve been as good of a filly as we’ve seen in a long time. There was a recent update, too, as her full-brother Cat Burglar won recently for Bob Baffert and looks like he could be a stakes horse. She had a beautiful breeze on a tough day to breeze and she checked all the boxes for being a top prospect.” 
Weisbord concluded, “[Sheikh Joaan’s Racing Advisor] Harry Herbert and Khalifa were both involved in the buying process and are both very excited to get started in America.”