Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum

NEWMARKET, UK -- Rain has been in short supply in Newmarket for weeks but if the weather can be seen as a metaphor for George Boughey's mood then the spotless blue sky of Monday morning was a pretty good one.  And why shouldn't this 34-year-old be upbeat? After all, his training career, which got underway in 2019, has been on nothing but an upward trajectory over the past seven years. This bright morning, his Craven House Stables contains the favourite for Saturday's Betfred 2,000 Guineas, and it is a yard...

The death of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum has been described as "a hammer blow of epic proportions" as those who worked closely with the owner-breeder come to terms with his unexpected passing. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, a cousin of the Ruler of Dubai and Godolphin founder Sheikh Mohammned bin Rashid Al Maktoum, died in Dubai on Monday. He is believed to have been in his mid-70s. Liam O'Rourke, director of studs, stallions and breeding for the Godolphin and Darley operation, has for many years overseen the broodmare band of Sheikh...

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's Listed Flying Scotsman runner-up Hankelow (Night Of Thunder) exhibited an unflinching attitude and led from pillar to post for a career high in Saturday's G3 Emirates Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, a contest won last year by subsequent G1 Eclipse and G1 Irish Champion hero Delacroix (Dubawi). "He has got such a great mind on him and can only get better," insisted trainer Karl Burke. "I think he will be better on a more level track and I'll see what [jockey] Cliff [Lee] has to say. He'd certainly...

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's TDN Rising Star Bow Echo (Night Of Thunder) was a perfect two-for-two heading into Saturday's G2 Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket and emerged with his unbeaten record intact after dominating his rivals in the one-mile test. "He does look like the best colt we've had at this stage," said trainer George Boughey. "I loved his attitude today, it's the thing that's stood out from the beginning and it was nice to see him get it done. He's always been easy to train and...

Coming into Friday's G2 Joel Stakes a colt on the rise, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Zeus Olympios (Night Of Thunder) emerged from the mile feature with unbeaten record intact and reputation firmly enhanced. Delivered by Clifford Lee to upstage Godolphin's 4-5 market-leader Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath) heading out of the dip, the 2-1 second favourite who had taken the G3 Superior Mile earlier this month drew away to score by 2 1/4 lengths. "I'd say we've definitely got a Group 1 horse," trainer Karl Burke said. "I'd say Rosallion will...

Following an impressive debut win at Newbury last month, TDN Rising Star Bow Echo (Night Of Thunder) denied chief rival Publish (Kingman) to double his tally in Saturday's Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock. Shrugging off that Juddmonte rival inside the final furlong, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's George Boughey-trained 5-6 favourite readily asserted under Billy Loughnane for a length success. Boughey thinks there is a lot more to come. "He's a lovely horse who has shown plenty of ability at home, but he's possibly still quite raw," he said. "He...

Three-time Group 1 winner Rosallion has been withdrawn from the G1 The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday with a bruised foot, according to trainer Richard Hannon. The G1 City Of York Stakes is next on the docket for the colt on August 23. Owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, the son of Blue Point won the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at two and added the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes at three. He has been tantalisingly close to added more top-drawer...

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred 2-year-old colt Bow Echo (Night Of Thunder), who hails from the family of Dubawi, went postward as the 2-1 joint-favourite for Friday's TPT Fire Supports St Michaels Hospice EBF Maiden Stakes at Newbury and returned with a TDN Rising Star rosette after delivering a mightily impressive wide-margin triumph in the straight one-mile test. "His work had been good at home, I thought he'd take a lot of beating coming here today and that was a taking performance," said winning rider Billy Loughnane. "I've sat...

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Hankelow (Night Of Thunder), a 210,000gns Tattersalls December foal turned 750,000gns Book 1 yearling, created a favourable impression with a taking debut success in Saturday's Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Novice Stakes over seven furlongs at York. Accepting a tow in third after breaking on the lead, the 3-1 second favourite was shaken up to challenge soon after passing the quarter-mile marker and was driven out in the closing stages to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths from Crest Of Fire (Phoenix Of Spain). Hankelow is the...

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Reciprocated (Havana Grey), a 210,000gns Tattersalls December foal turned 450,000gns Book 1 yearling, backed up a debut victory at Nottingham earlier this month and made all to register a decisive four-length victory for the Karl Burke stable in Wednesday's Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes at Carlisle. 2nd-Carlisle, £40,000, Nov, 6-25, 2yo, 5f 182yT, 1:15.85, sf. RECIPROCATED (GB) (c, 2, Havana Grey {GB}--Radio Gaga {GB} {SW & GSP-Eng}, by Multiplex {GB}), a June 4 debut winner going just over six furlongs at Nottingham last time, broke...

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred Victoria Harbour (Frankel) followed up a breakthrough success at Thirsk for the Karl Burke stable last month and made all to register a career best on black-type debut in Saturday's Listed BetGoodwin Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood. Holding sway at a comfortable rhythm for most of this late-stage G1 Oaks trial, for which she is not yet entered, the 12-1 chance came under pressure as the pack loomed large passing the quarter-mile marker and she called upon abundant reserves in the closing stages...

Last term's G1 Commonwealth Cup hero Inisherin (Shamardal) had failed to fire in two starts since that Royal Ascot career high and, with the benefit of a recent wind operation, bounced back in game fashion to annex Wednesday's G2 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes at York. Well away from stall one to race in a handy third through the halfway mark in this six-furlong dash, the 11-8 favourite came under pressure to make his challenge along the far-side rail approaching the final furlong and kept on resolutely under a...