Sheikh Hamdan | Horse Racing Free Tips

Muhtathir Passes Away at 25

Four-time highweighted Muhtathir (GB) (Elmaamul-Majmu, by Al Nasr {Fr}), who won twice at the highest level for Godolphin, has passed away from the infirmities of old age, Shadwell Stud announced on Tuesday. The 25-year-old chestnut was bred and raced by Shadwell and trained by John Gosden through his 3-year-old season, where he claimed the G2 Celebration Mile. He was also second in the G1 French 2000 Guineas. For the rest of his career he bore the silks of Godolphin and was trained by Saeed bin Suroor to victories in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at five and the G1 Gran Premio Vittorio di Capua the year prior.

Retired with eight wins from 23 starts, he spent most of his stud career at Haras du Mezeray in France, where he sired 18 black-type winners on the Flat, 12 at group level. Doctor Dino (Fr), Mauralakana (Fr), Satwa Queen (Fr), Mille et Mille (GB) and Indonesienne (Ire) made up his quintet of Group 1 winners. As a broodmare sire, Muhtathir has sired 10 black-type winners so far, including Group 1 winners Holdthasigreen (Fr) (Hold That Tiger), Robin of Navan (Fr) (American Post {GB}) and Mkfancy (Fr) (Makfi {GB}). He is also starting to make an impact in the National Hunt sphere, with Cheltenham Festival winner Envoi Allen (Fr) and Grade 1 hurdler Quel Destin (Fr).

“Muhtathir was a hugely talented performer on the racecourse and transferred that ability and will to win to his stock,” said Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster. “He produced several high-class Flat performers and in his later years became a highly sought-after sire of jumpers. He was still hugely popular this year, covering a limited book of 40 mares at €6,000.

“I must give a special mention to the team at Haras du Mezeray, who did a superb job managing the horse and giving him the platform to flourish in his second career.”

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Battaash Camp Eyeing Breeders’ Cup Bid

Shadwell’s speedy MG1SW Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is being considered for a start in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 7, if he exits the Oct. 4 G1 Prix de l’Abbaye in good form. A winner of the GI King’s Stand S. at Royal Ascot in June, they grey took his fourth G2 King George Qatar S. at Goodwood on July 31 and won the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. at York on Aug. 21.

“He’s only had three runs this year,” said trainer Charlie Hills to Sky Sports Racing. “He’s fresh, he’s well and is in great shape. I couldn’t be more pleased will how Battaash is training.”

“He looks very proud at what he is doing. His enthusiasm levels are great. As long as the ground stays reasonably good for France then that’s where we’ll go.”

Added Hills on the prospect of the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland in November, “There’s every chance. If he was really impressive in the Abbaye and he’s fit and well we’ll have to speak to Sheikh Hamdan and he’ll make the decision.”

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Jim Crowley Reaches 2000-Win Milestone

Champion jockey Jim Crowley rode his 2000th winner aboard Shadwell’s Modmin (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) in the Ladbrokes Supporting ‘Children With Cancer UK’ Novice S. at Goodwood on Sunday. Crowley, who rides is the retained rider for Sheikh Hamdan’s operation, was previously a jumps jockey based in the north.

“It has been a fantastic season so far and I hope it continues,” said Crowley. “It was nice to do it here as it’s my local track. I’ve got a lot of fond memories here and to ride it in these colours for Marcus [Tregoning] was nice.

“Battaash at York was a highlight the first year and Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) winning in the fashion he did in such a good race here (Sussex S.), those three really stick out for me and it is hard to pick one.”

“It is massive [becoming retained rider for Sheikh Hamdan]. I felt very fortunate to get the job. When I was champion jockey that probably got me noticed. It is a dream come true and touch wood it is going well.”

The Shadwell colours have been firmly in the limelight this season, with Crowley aboard such stars as MG1SW sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), G2 Duke Of Cambridge S. heroine Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), GSW Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Enbihaar (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}), a MGSW who won the G2 Lonsdale Cup S. at York last out.

Crowley is not resting on his laurels, however, and said, “We’ve got some lovely horses coming through at the moment and I’m a big fan of Enbihaar and hopefully they just keep coming. It’s not easy as some big operations have lean years, but at the moment we are having a good run. It’s not impossible to get 3,000. It might seem a long way away now stood here, but so did 2,000 and so did 1,000. We will keep batting away and see where we end up.

“I’d love to win a Classic as I’ve been second in an Oaks and two St Legers, not that I’m counting. That is the one thing I would love to do, as I’ve rattled the crossbar in most of them.”

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Flying Five Option For Battaash

The G1 Flying Five S. is the lone European Group 1 over five furlongs missing from Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire})’s CV, and the 6-year-old gelding could get the chance to collect that Curragh prize on Sept. 13.

Sheikh Hamdan’s Battaash is unbeaten in 2020, having taken Royal Ascot’s G1 King’s Stand S. prior to a fourth consecutive score in the G2 King George Qatar S. in July. He was last seen defending his title in the G1 Nunthorpe S. on Aug. 21.

“We will keep all the options open for Battaash and just see how the horse is and go from there,” said trainer Charlie Hills. “I’m happy though with the way he has come out of the York race. We have got Ireland, France for the Abbaye, then America for the Breeders’ Cup and they are probably the only three races for him. We will have a chat with the team next week. No decision has been made, but Ireland has certainly not been ruled out.”

Hills also provided an update on another of his Glorious Goodwood winners, Juddmonte’s promising 3-year-old Tilsit (First Defence), who won the G3 Thoroughbred S. He could step up to Group 1 company for the G1 Prix du Moulin on Sept. 6 or take in the G2 Boomerang Mile at Leopardstown on Sept. 12.

“He had a small setback which meant we missed a few days with him, so we had to miss the Celebration Mile at Goodwood on Saturday,” Hills said. “I’m very happy with the horse now and he worked really well on Wednesday. The Moulin is an option and there is the Boomerang Mile which he would need supplementing for, but I’ve still got to talk to the team at Juddmonte first.”

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