Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum

On a sunny Tuesday, 84,492 patrons were on hand to witness the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) win the 163rd G1 Melbourne Cup. There were so many layers to the victory of Without A Fight. The 7-year-old gelding has arguably been in career best form, winning the G1 Caulfield Cup S. last start and joined a rare collection of Thoroughbreds to claim both Cup races in the same season--the latest being the great mare Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm). The victory also served as back-to-back victories for...

   Beautiful sunshine bathed ParisLongchamp on its biggest day and Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere proved a fitting opener to the action with Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}--Rosaline {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) dominating the closing stages of this up-to-scratch renewal. Brilliant in Ascot's Listed Pat Eddery S. in July but disappointing when third in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster last month, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred was truly on song here to provide Sean Levey with all the good vibrations in this qualifier for the GI...

Karl Burke annexed the 2018 edition of Deauville's G3 Prix de Cabourg with Comedy (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) and the Spigot Lodge conditioner doubled his tally in the six-furlong contest after last month's G2 Norfolk S. third Elite Status (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) pounced for a decisive success in this year's renewal. The 6-4 joint-favourite, who had earlier powered to a runaway success in Sandown's Listed National S., was positioned behind the leader in second after a level break. Looming large on the bridle passing the quarter-mile marker, he was...

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}--Rosaline {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) became his first-crop sire's third stakes winner when scooting to an impressive four-length triumph in Saturday's Listed Flexjet Pat Eddery S. at Ascot. The 11-1 chance, who annexed his June 7 debut over 6 1/2 furlongs at Newbury when last seen, raced under cover in eighth through the early fractions of this straight seven-furlong test. Making eyecatching headway on the bridle once past halfway, he cruised to the front with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining...

Newmarket's Weatherbys British EBF Maiden S. is one of those key races that can uncover a class act and Friday's renewal of the seven-furlong July Festival test may have witnessed another as Arabic Legend (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}--Sheikha Reika {Fr}, by Shamardal) earned a TDN Rising Star tag. Withdrawn from his intended start at Doncaster last month after becoming upset in the stalls, the second foal out of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's GI E.P.Taylor S. heroine was always travelling strongly on the wing with Rob Hornby trying to contain him...

Royal Ascot began with a one-two for Frankel (GB), but it was the 33-1 shot Triple Time (Ire) and not the higher-profile Inspiral (GB) who came out on top after a thrilling finale to Tuesday's opening G1 Queen Anne S. Remarkably, both were having their seasonal debuts but were able to shake off any rustiness to ensure that Juddmonte's giant dominated proceedings in this qualifier for the $2-million GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita in November. Denied a run in the G1 Lockinge S. due to a bout...

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Group 1-placed Novakai (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is in good order ahead of a run in the G1 Prix de Diane later this month, trainer Karl Burke revealed on Saturday. A debut winner at Doncaster, she was second in the G2 May Hill S. two starts later back at that venue in September and ended her year with another second-place effort, this time in the G1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket a month later. She made her 2023 in the G3 Musidora S. at York...

Havana Grey (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}) notched a one-length tally in the 2017 renewal of Sandown's Listed Racehorse Lotto National S. and the second-crop sire left his mark on the contest once more after his Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum-owned son Elite Status (GB) powered to a hugely impressive success in the five-furlong dash. The 5-2 favourite had opened his account with a three-length triumph in his May 6 debut over the same trip at Doncaster and jumped to the head of ante-post betting lists for Royal Ascot's G2 Norfolk...

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's 3-year-old colt Cold Case (GB) (Showcasing {GB}--Killermont Street {Ire}, by Dream Ahead) closed his six-race juvenile campaign with victories in Doncaster's £300,000 Weatherbys 2-Year-Old S. and Redcar's Listed Two-Year-Old Trophy and came back off a 214-day break to register a game success in Wednesday's G3 British Racing School 40th Anniversary Commonwealth Cup Trial S. at Ascot. The 5-1 chance was in the squat position as the gates flew open and recovered to race on the front end after the initial strides. Scrubbed along when headed...

Dubawi sired his second new group winner in two weeks and 163rd overall when Prince Eiji (GB) got the job done over a sloppy main track in the 1600-metre $150,000 G3 Firebreak S. Presented By Longines. The first three home were all from the Doug Watson barn, as Everfast (Take Charge Indy) was 1 1/4 lengths back in second, a half-length to the good of Thegreatcollection (Saint Anddan) in third. Several lengths off the pace in second as Ever Given (Kodi Bear {Ire}) opened up leaving the chute, Prince Eiji...

Newmarket's G1 Royal Bahrain Sun Chariot S. can throw up a surprise from time to time and Saturday's renewal was responsible for one of the biggest of that kind as Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's 16-1 shot Fonteyn (GB) (Farhh {GB}) denied TDN Rising Star Laurel (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in a 3-year-old domination. Reserved early off the strong pace by Neil Callan, the Kevin Ryan-trained homebred whose previous best success had come in the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Fillies' S. at York May 13 enjoyed a run up the stand's...

With the build-up to Royal Ascot reaching fever pitch down South, Kevin Ryan unveiled the well-bred Glenlaurel (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}--Nada {GB}, by Teofilo {Ire}) in Thirsk's six-furlong Vickers.Bet Extra Places At Royal Ascot EBF Fillies' Novice S. on Tuesday and she outclassed overmatched rivals to attain 'TDN Rising Stardom' in hugely impressive fashion. The 9-1 chance dwelt as the gates opened and raced in rear through the initial fractions. Making eyecatching headway hard on the steel from halfway, she cruised into contention approaching the final furlong and powered...