As Wathnan Racing went on its pre-Royal Ascot spending binge, it was the purchase of 3-year-old colt Haatem that showed quite how serious Sheikh Tamim, the Emir of Qatar, was about the meeting.
Winner of the Craven Stakes (G3) and placed in both the English and Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1), Haatem would not have been easily or cheaply pried away from Kuwaiti royal Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah, and yet there he was in the Wathnan silks.
Dropped back in trip to seven furlongs from a mile in the June 22 Jersey Stakes (G3), and conceding weight to his 18 opponents, Haatem, the poster boy for his burgeoning new owner, dug down deep and delivered.
There was only a short head at the line between Haatem and Kikkuli , Juddmonte’s half brother to the great Frankel , but his victory ensured those who assembled the Wathnan Racing team for Royal Ascot week could feel considerable satisfaction.
“It’s been fantastic, an unbelievable week,” said Olly Tait, Wathnan Racing’s senior representative. “It’s a huge honor to be involved with horses of this caliber. It was lovely that Wathnan got off to the start that it did last year, and this year has been similarly fantastic.
“This week means a lot to everyone in the industry, it’s one of the set piece weeks of the year, and there’s no one involved in racing in any way that wouldn’t want to be involved with winners here.”
The scale of Qatar’s head of state into ownership in Britain was clearly on display during Royal Ascot, with 28 horses carrying Sheikh Tamim’s silks.
Haatem followed Queen Mary Stakes (G2) winner Leovanni , Norfolk Stakes (G2) winner Shareholder , and handicap winner English Oak in winning at the Royal meeting for Wathnan. Kentucky-bred Shareholder also represented a breakthrough for the 2-year-old colt’s sire, Taylor Made Stallions’ still-rising stalwart Not This Time .
Sheikh Tamim, whose brother Sheikh Joaan operates Al Shaqab Racing and cousin Sheikh Fahad acts as principal for Qatar Racing, has rapidly expanded his racing interests in two years. While not commenting on what it has cost Wathnan to assemble such a squad, Tait did not deny it had taken in the region of £3 million to secure the operation’s final winner.
“I obviously wouldn’t comment on that but, like him, we bought horses who could perform well here and in the future,” Tait said. “He came here with a big reputation and that was well deserved on what he had done. To win a race that deep giving away weight, I thought he performed like a lion. It was fantastic to watch just how game he was.”
Wathnan Racing advisor Richard Brown congratulates James Doyle after winning onboard Haatem in the Jersey Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting
Haatem’s victory was particularly pleasing for trainer Richard Hannon, not only due to his affection for the horse but his belief that the success could act as an inspiration for others.
“He’s one of my favorites, and if ever a horse deserved to win, it was him,” Hannon said. “He cost 27,000 guineas and we couldn’t sell him as a yearling, he was the last one we sold, just like it was with Canford Cliffs, and he turns to gold.
“Our yard is an eat-in, not a takeaway, and it’s good that these owners come in and keep the horses in the yard. For all the people here today, the people watching, horses like him are an incentive to get involved in the game.”
Haatem and rider James Doyle after winning the Jersey Stakes
