Wathnan Racing's Haatem Claims Jersey Stakes
Date
6/23/2024 11:07:27 PM
(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Wathnan Racing recorded their fourth victory at Royal Ascot as Haatem claimed the Gr 3 Jersey Stakes in a thrilling finish on Saturday.
On the final day of the Royal Ascot, Carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing for the first time, Haatem struck the front in the hands of James Doyle and looked set to go on to a comfortable victory.
However, Harry Charlton's Kikkuli had other ideas and the half-brother to Frankel ensured backers of trainer Richard Hannon's would have a nervy wait on their hands after flashing home to force a photo finish.
A short pause would follow before the judge confirmed Haatem had clung on to land the spoils by a diminishing short-head Johnny Murtagh-trained Chicago Critic came third.
Winner of the Craven Stakes in April, the high-class Haatem returned to Newmarket to finish third in the 2000 Guineas before finding only his esteemed stable-mate Rosallion too strong in Gr 1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh three weeks later.
On Saturday, the colt enjoyed his day in the sun and gave Wathnan Racing a record fourth victory at Royal Ascot.
“He carried a penalty, he got there very easily, and he deserved his day in the sun. Hopefully, he'll have plenty more. It was a very deep race, there were 20 runners, and it was not your normal Jersey,” said Hannon.
“It's great for Wathnan, they bought a lot of horses, and it was so important they had success and they've earned it.”
Jockey Doyle was all praise for Haatem.“He's an absolute warrior,” said Doyle.
“It wasn't his ideal set-up today, but we've come up with a plan and it worked. If he had got beat, he would have been robbed because he responded well. What a horse,” he said.
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