Epsom Beckons Once More For Al Sagar

It is 15 years since Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) streaked down the hill at Epsom to give Frankie Dettori his first win in the Derby. For the colt's owners Imad Al Sagar and Saleh Al Homaizi it was also a first Derby victory, but it was their second Classic winner in as many years as Araafa (Ire) (Mull Of Kintyre {Ire})) had landed the previous season's Irish 2,000 Guineas before going on to win the St James's Palace S.

Such success at the highest level for the duo who had previously been champion owners in their native Kuwait then kindled an interest in breeding which led to the purchase of two farms on the outskirts of Newmarket. Together they would become known as Blue Diamond Stud.

Now solely under the ownership of Imad Al Sagar, the stud is a thriving concern, with 40 broodmares in its paddocks and more than 20 horses in training in Britain, predominantly homebreds, with John and Thady Gosden, Roger Varian, Clive Cox, Roger Charlton, Archie Watson, and Andrew Balding. The fruits of the Blue Diamond team's labours, in the paddocks and at the sales grounds over the years, are being enjoyed especially this season, most notably in the prospect of another Classic contender, this time in the Oaks.

Nashwa (GB), a daughter of Frankel (GB) and the former Blue Diamond Stud colour-bearer Princess Loulou (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), trained by John and Thady Gosden, was this week confirmed as being on course for Epsom. This followed some deliberation between remaining in England or heading to France for the shorter option of the Prix de Diane.

“Winning the Derby was incredibly special,” says Al Sagar. “It was a dream come true and it is a very exciting time now, with history repeating itself in a way, to be able to go to Epsom with another Classic contender.”

The breeder admits that choosing between Epsom and Chantilly was not easy, particularly as Nashwa's own stable contains the current Oaks favourite Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). But Nashwa, whose dam, purchased as a yearling by Tony Nerses, won a 10-furlong Listed contest in testing conditions and was runner-up in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet, has given Al Sagar cause for optimism.  Her most recent win, and her second of the year, came over 10 furlongs in the Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial at Newbury, and he points to another facet of the filly which may help her in the Oaks.

He says, “She is improving and the progress she has made from two to three is enormous. Especially in the the last two months she has really flourished. She has become a lot stronger physically and mentally.

“We agreed to have an open mind; it was a difficult decision. Nashwa has not yet run over a mile and a half. The filly has abundant speed as she showed over a mile at Haydock. But pedigree-wise, I know the family, and Frankel throws horses who compete over all kinds of distances. She is the type of filly who relaxes very well. She has a great temperament and she switches off in her races.”

Al Sagar adds, “We are not sure, of course. But she's laidback and also she has a very good turn of foot, so these things I think will help her to get a mile and a half.

“It is a nice problem to have. I hope all our problems are like this.”

Thus far it has been a season with problems mostly far from his mind. In some ways, Al Sagar has already celebrated a Classic winner, even if it was at a slight remove. Back in 2019 at Arqana he bought Zotilla (Ire) from Ecurie des Monceaux for €75,000. Her Dark Angel (Ire) filly foal born earlier that year was subsequently retained by Monceaux and its partners after failing to reach her reserve at the yearling sales, and last Sunday, as Mangoustine (Fr), she won the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

“I bought Mangoustine's dam Zotilla and Manasarova, the dam of Sicilian Defense (GB) on the same day and then both of them had runners in the French Guineas,” he notes. “Sicilian Defense actually ran a very good race when she was short of room.”

Blue Diamond Stud is also home to the well-related Tisa River (Ire) (Equiano {Fr}), purchased in 2020 when her family had come to life through her consecutive Breeders' Cup-winning half-siblings Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}) and Order Of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}). The pedigree was subsequently enhanced by another sibling, Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), the winner last season of the GI Belmont Oaks and GI Beverly D S. 

Tisa River is currently in foal to Frankel, as is Princess Loulou, carrying a full-sibling to Nashwa. Meanwhile Zotilla is in foal to Dubawi (Ire) with a Too Darn Hot (GB) filly foal at foot.

Queen of the paddocks, however, is Pearling (Storm Cat), the sister to Giant's Causeway and Coolmore blue hen You'resothrilling. She gave Blue Diamond Stud its first homebred Group 1 winner when her son Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) won the Jebel Hatta at Meydan and then followed up with victories in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and Irish Champion S. for Roger Charlton during a glorious 2017 season.

Decorated Knight, a close relative to the high-achieving Classic family of Gleneagles (Ire), Marvellous (Ire) and Happily (Ire), is now a resident of the Irish National Stud and has been well supported by his co-owner/breeder.

Al Sagar may yet also have an interest of sorts in this year's Derby field, as still engaged at this stage is Masekela (Ire), whom he pinhooked as a foal after he had admired Masekela's sire El Kabeir at Yeomanstown Stud. The pinhook project just about broke even, but more important was the vindication in Al Sagar's judgement when Masekela won on debut, finished runner-up in the G2 Superlative S.–beaten a short-head by Native Trail (GB), no less–and then subsequently landed the Listed Denford S. for Andrew Balding and owners Mick and Janice Mariscotti.

Al Sagar's main focus, however, is on his burgeoning breeding operation. At the end of 2018 he and Al Homaizi went their separate ways, with much of the stock being offered at auction to dissolve their partnership. Al Sagar bought back a number of the mares, including Pearling, and earlier this year he announced a major restructuring of the Blue Diamond Stud team. Lord Grimthorpe was appointed as racing manager, with Ted Voute becoming chief executive officer, Gerry Meehan announced as yearling manager and Nancy Sexton as bloodstock and media advisor.

“I think Blue Diamond deserved the time and investment and I decided that restructuring was very important for the future of the stud,” he says. “I am very much comfortable with my team and we have started to see very positive results on the ground which I hope will help us to achieve our future goals.”

Al Sagar visits the Newmarket farms, spread across 330 acres, as often as he can from his home in Kuwait, and he likes to be hands-on when it comes to matings.

“I very much enjoy it, especially over the last six or seven years,” he says. “When we first started breeding horses in 2007 we made many mistakes, but I am happy we did it because we learned a lot from it and now we can see things are moving forward with the progeny. With breeding you don't know what you will get, so now our strategy is to upgrade the quality of mares. Broodmares are the foundation for any farm and our strategy is to improve the quality and to have a wide spectrum of bloodlines, such as Scat Daddy, what is remaining of the Roberto line, Blushing Groom line. It is these things that we are focusing on to improve our progeny.”

The owner took some by surprise when announcing Hollie Doyle as his retained jockey in 2020. She remains in that position, with Martin Dwyer as second jockey. The arrangement has already been a successful one, with Doyle having ridden not just Nashwa, but also Nazanin (GB), Majestic Noor (GB) and Extra Elusive (GB) to stakes victories in the green and silver silks of Blue Diamond Stud.

“Things have changed,” says Al Sagar on the topic of retaining a woman as principal rider. “It wasn't an easy decision, but in my opinion Hollie ticks all the boxes as a jockey. I do believe that the gender shouldn't be an obstacle to being a good jockey. Hollie has the brain, has the strength, has the courage, and this is what you need in a jockey. This is now the third year and we are extremely happy.”

Should Doyle become the first woman to ride a British Classic winner when she partners Nashwa in the Oaks, it would doubtless be a moment in which horseracing makes the front pages of the national newspapers for all the right reasons. It would not only be a well deserved success for one of the outstanding jockeys of her generation, but also for the man who has invested passion and thought along with considerable financial reserves into breeding a filly worthy of her place in the field. 

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First Four Mares In Foal To Lope Y Fernandez

Group winner Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) has had his first quartet of mares pronounced in foal, The National Stud announced on Monday. Happy Holly (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), a half-sister to Group 1 winners Lily Of The Valley (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) and Mubtaahij (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is one of the foursome. Other mares in foal to the G3 Round Tower S. hero are Seven Empires (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), herself a half-sister to four black-type winners; and Spain Blues (Fr) (Anabaa Blue {GB}), the dam of G2 Rockfel S. winner Spain Burg (Fr) (Sageburg {Ire}). The five-time Group 1 placed stallion stands for £8,500 in 2022.

“Lope Y Fernandez has taken to his new job very well and the support he has received from breeders has been fantastic,” said Lord Grimthorpe. “He was a talented racehorse who is an excellent physical type, and given the quality of mares visiting him this year we are optimistic about his future.”

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National Stud Undergoes Management Change

The National Stud in Newmarket has undergone a management restructure ahead of the 2022 breeding season, with Tim Lane leaving his role as manager and Anna Kerr assuming the day-to-day running of the stud. Lord 'Teddy' Grimthorpe, who was announced as the new chairman in November, will become executive chairman for the forthcoming season, and former manager Joe Grimwade has returned as head of stud operations.

Outlining the changes on Monday, a statement from the Jockey Club, which owns the National Stud, clarified Grimthorpe's role for the 2022 breeding season as leading the management team and acting in a senior executive capacity for clients and stakeholders. Joe Grimwade, who was also the former manager of The Royal Studs at Sandringham, will in turn “until further notice, support the management of The National Stud and acting as a key point of contact for clients”. The stud's board plans to confirm permanent appointments “at a future date”.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to express our thanks and support to Anna Kerr and Joe Grimwade,” said Lord Grimthorpe. “Anna is an instrumental member of the senior team who has helped The National Stud to navigate well through the challenging pandemic period and contributed to the reputation it has developed over recent years. Joe brings exceptional skills and experience for our clients and his colleagues and we are delighted he has come onboard. I am pleased to accept the invitation to switch from a non-executive to an executive role for this breeding season. Our stallions, boarding, sales and education have all been proving very popular and I'm sure we can build on that progress in the time ahead.”

Tim Lane succeeded Brian O'Rourke as manager of the National Stud in January 2017. Later that year the stud bought Time Test (GB) from Juddmonte. The son of Dubawi (Ire) has risen to become one of the most sought-after young stallions in Britain following some promising results from his first crop of runners in 2021. This season it has welcomed a new recruit to the stallion wing in Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who represents a partnership between Coolmore, Whitsbury Manor Stud, Nick Bradley and the National Stud.

Anna Kerr was appointed as chief operating officer of the National Stud in January 2020. Ten days ago it was announced that Lord Grimthorpe, the former longstanding racing manager to Prince Khalid Abdullah, would take up the same role for Imad Al Sagar's Blue Diamond Stud. He is also deputy senior steward of the Jockey Club and sits on the board of York Racecourse.

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Lord Grimthorpe Appointed Racing Manager To Imad Al Sagar

Lord 'Teddy' Grimthorpe has been appointed as racing manager to Imad Al Sagar, whose Blue Diamond Stud has recently undergone a major restructure. 

A widely respected figure in the racing world who last November took on the role of chairman of the National Stud, Grimthorpe was racing manager for more than 20 years to Prince Khalid Abdullah of Juddmonte Farms, who died a year ago this week. 

Grimthorpe has replaced Tony Nerses and will begin in his new position in February. In addition to his National Stud role, he is also deputy senior steward of The Jockey Club and on the board of York Racecourse, where he held the position of chairman for nine years at the track as Chairman.

Alongside Grimthorpe, Ted Voute will also join the Blue Diamond Stud team as interim chief executive officer while continuing his duties at Eydon Hall Farm and as racing and bloodstock advisor to Prince Faisal's Nawara Stud. He will fulfil the role until a permanent CEO is appointed.

“We have taken the opportunity to restructure our team at Blue Diamond Stud for 2022 and are delighted to welcome Teddy Grimthorpe as Racing Manager,” said Imad Al Sagar. “Tony Nerses was a major contributor to the growth and success of Blue Diamond Stud and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours. 

“Teddy is a widely respected racing figure on an international scale. He played a key role in the sustained success of Juddmonte Farms and with his wealth of knowledge and experience, will undoubtedly prove a valuable asset to Blue Diamond Stud. I am greatly looking forward to working with him.” 

Lord Grimthorpe said, “I am very touched to have been asked by Imad Al Sagar to join his team. He has built up an impressive bloodstock portfolio and I will look forward to being any help I can with his operation. 

“I will continue to be chairman of the National Stud and serve on the boards of both Jockey Club and York Racecourse, all of which should fit nicely into this new role.” 

Imad Al Sagar's original involvement in European racing came in partnership with Saleh Al Homaizi, the pair enjoying notable success with 2007 Derby winner Authorized (Ire) and the previous year's Irish 2000 Guineas Araafa (Ire). In 2010, they established Blue Diamond Stud, which is formed of two farms in the vicinity of Newmarket and has a broodmare band of 40. The stud's most successful homebred to date is the treble Group 1 winner Decorated Knight (GB), who remains in the ownership of Al Sagar and stands at the Irish National Stud. 

Al Sagar and Al Homeizi parted company in 2018, with Al Sagar retaining the stud and buying out his partner in Pearling (Storm Cat), the dam of Decorated Knight, for 2.4 million gns during a partial dispersal of stock.

In July 2020, Al Sagar appointed Hollie Doyle as retained jockey for the Blue Diamond Stud horses. Her contract has been renewed for 2022 as first jockey, as has that of Martin Dwyer, who was appointed second jockey last year. 

In a further new appointment for the stud, Gerry Meehan takes up the role as yearling manager, having previously served a lengthy stint in the same role for Newsells Park Stud. He will also oversee sales consignments under the name of Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) Ltd, with three lots consigned under this banner for the forthcoming Tattersalls February Sale.

Andrew Rawlin, who has been with Blue Diamond Stud for 11 years, has been promoted to mares manager, and Nancy Sexton has been named as bloodstock and media advisor. Sexton is a well-known bloodstock journalist and is also the European representative for the Kentucky-based Schumer Bloodstock.

Al Sagar added, “With such a strong team on board for 2022, I believe we are well placed to not only consolidate Blue Diamond Stud's position as an elite presence within the industry, but also to strive for further growth and success. As such, we have started the year on a positive note and I look forward to a successful year.” 

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