Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Suhaim and Qatar Racing's Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is likely to continue his career in Australia, according to trainer Ger Lyons. The 4-year-old finished second to Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in last year's G1 2000 Guineas, and was third in the G1 Lockinge S. this May after a year on the sidelines. Ninth in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot, he bounced back to win a Naas conditions race July 20 and could manage only fifth in the G3 Royal Whip S. trying 10 furlongs for the first time at The Curragh Aug. 21.
“He seems OK but I was very disappointed with [the Royal Whip],” Lyons told At The Races. “It probably drew a line through his Group 1 future on this side of the world. I think the jury is out on what they are going to do with him next, but I think his career in Ireland is finished, as far as we're aware. I think he's going to head to Australia–that's the plan, as I'm told.”
Lyons added, “I'll be disappointed because he's as good a horse as I've trained. I'm just disappointed we got chinned in the big ones. We got chinned in the Guineas and he ran well in the Lockinge. He's a nice horse to have and I'm just sorry I didn't hit the big target with him.”
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