For so long a source of frustration for William Haggas, Mutakayyef showed what a gelding operation and drop in trip can do with this emphatic career-best which underlines the class that his trainer always believed he possessed. Spoken of in glowing terms after his second in the Listed Newmarket S. in May 2014, the chestnut was nevertheless seen as a longer-term project and was restricted to three more outings that term over 10 and nine furlongs which resulted in the same placings in Royal Ascot's G3 Tercentenary S. and Newmarket's G3 Darley S. and a third in the Listed James Seymour S. at the latter venue. Last season proved a largely similar story, with a belated return in the G3 Strensall S. over nine furlongs at York resulting in another runner-up finish which preceded another second when the hot favourite for Ayr's Listed Doonside Cup over a mile and a quarter in September.
Blinkers were applied as he returned for the Darley S. in October, but they failed to light his fire and he ended up a flat third in that nine-furlong contest leaving connections no option than to geld during the off-season. Starting his revival with a clear-cut win in the Listed Ganton S. over this trip at York June 11, the Mutakayyef that his trainer had longed to see was finally out of wraps and the vibes were undeniable as he received support into favouritism taking on a clutch of milers that had had their chances in better company at varying times. Settled in mid-division early by Dane O'Neill, he was travelling notably strongly at the top of the straight and when given the go-ahead surged to the lead approaching the furlong pole. Kicking clear impressively rather than hanging fire as he used to when the whip was applied, he was powerful to the line with the solid group 1 yardsticks Dutch Connection and Gabrial providing a measure of his achievement.
“Two things stand out with this horse–one, we have now got the trip right and, two, gelding him has been a good move,” Maureen Haggas said. “William has always had a lot of faith in him, but until today he hadn't gone and done it on a bigger stage. He's older and more mature and has lots of options at a mile, mile-and-a-furlong distances.” Mutakayyef is the best progeny so far out of the G3 Nell Gwyn S. scorer and G1 Coronation S. and G1 Falmouth S. runner-up Infallible, who is a full-sister to the pattern-race sprinter Watchable (GB) and recent listed runner-up Remarkable (GB) as well as a half to the dam of the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero Garswood (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). Others to uphold family tradition of late include the G1 Prix Morny runner-up Parliament Square (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and the G3 Prix du Calvados scorer Queen Bee (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}). Still to race for Infallible are the 3-year-old Alaadel (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a yearling filly by Frankel (GB) and a full-brother foal to this winner.
Saturday, Ascot, Britain
FRED COWLEY MBE MEMORIAL SUMMER MILE S.-G2, £120,000, ASC, 7-9, 4yo/up, 8fT, 1:40.88, g/f.
1–@MUTAKAYYEF (GB), 127, g, 5, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Infallible (GB) (GSW & MGISP-Eng, $314,279), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Irresistible (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB)
3rd Dam: Polish Romance, by Danzig
(260,000gns Ylg '12 TAOCT). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-William Haggas; J-Dane O'Neill. £68,052. Lifetime Record: 12-3-7-2, $265,841. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dutch Connection (GB), 127, c, 4, Dutch Art (GB)–Endless Love (Ire), by Dubai Destination. O-Godolphin; B-Mrs S M Roy (GB); T-Charles Hills. £25,800.
3–Gabrial (Ire), 127, g, 7, Dark Angel (Ire)–Guajira (Fr), by Mtoto (GB). (25,000gns Wlg '09 TATFOA; £48,300 Ylg '10 DONPRE). O-Dr Marwan Koukash; B-B Kennedy (IRE); T-Richard Fahey. £12,912.
Margins: 2 1/4, HD, 1 1/4. Odds: 3.50, 5.00, 25.00.
Also Ran: Custom Cut (Ire), Richard Pankhurst (GB), Kodi Bear (Ire), Convey (GB), Toormore (Ire), Blond Me (Ire), Battle of Marathon. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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