Al Shaqab Purchases to Be Trained by Pletcher

The two horses purchased by Sheikh Joann bin Hamad al Thani's Al Shaqab Racing at Tuesday's OBS March Sale, will be trained by Todd Pletcher, it was announced Thursday. “The Al Shaqab team is excited to announce that Todd Pletcher will train its first two purchases made in the U.S.,” said Harry Herbert, worldwide racing advisor for Al Shaqab Racing. “The horses are currently being let down at J.J. Pletcher's farm in Ocala and will join the Pletcher string at Saratoga in the spring. Sheikh Joann and the team met Todd at the Breeders' Cup in November and the plan was to try to purchase some horses to send to him to campaign.” Al Shaqab first signed for hip 81, a filly by Unbridled's Song from the female family of GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles, also by that late sire, for $450,000 from the consignment of de Meric Sales. The team was also successful in landing hip 350, a full-brother to dual Grade I winner Zazu (Tapit) and to GSW & GISP Flashback for a co-topping price of $1.6 million. Al Shaqab's other worldwide holdings include G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), recent G2 Zabeel Mile winner Mshawish (Medaglia d'Oro) andDubday (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who landed the prestigious H.H. Emir's Trophy in Qatar Feb. 27.