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Plus: Mike Ryan answers 5 quick-fire bloodstock questions

Trainer Owen Burrows has confirmed that his Shadwell owned stable star Anmaat is on course to make a seasonal reappearance on Sunday 25th May. The dual Group 1 winning son of Derrinstown Stud resident Awtaad is set to run in either the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp or the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. 

Angus Gold, Racing Manager for Shadwell Estate, said: “Anmaat is in very good form and Owen Burrows is very happy with him, though he still has a few kilos to lose before he is at his racing weight. The plan is to start him off at Longchamp or at the Curragh on the same day, after which the Prince of Wales’s Stakes would be on the agenda.” 

Anmaat was last seen at Ascot in October winning the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes, when he showed class and guts to defeat Calandagan. The 7-year-old’s previous Group 1 win had been in the 2023 renewal of the Prix d’Ispahan and were he to repeat that success he would become the race’s first dual winner since the great Goldikova. 

Above left: Dual Group 1 winner Anmaat; Above right: Oaks entry Falakeyah 

With the Flat turf season now beginning in earnest, Shadwell are looking forward to racing some beautifully bred homebred colts and fillies. Last week saw an impressive winning debut for Munsif, a colt by Sea The Stars, sire of Baaeed, out of a half-sister to Classic winner Taghrooda, in the care of Roger Varian. Among those entered at Newmarket this week is Altareq (Frankel x Aneen), trained by John and Thady Gosden, from the family of Classic winning Awtaad. 

Angus Gold said of Altareq: “This horse had immaturity issues last year which kept him off the track, but he is now ready for a run. He is a full-brother to a good filly called Al Asifah who looked high-class until she went wrong. I am sure this horse will benefit from the experience of an outing, but I hope that he will make up into a decent horse by mid-summer – he is out of a half-sister to Awtaad, from one of our strongest families.” 

Falakeyah (New Bay x Alaflaak), trained by Owen Burrows, holds an Oaks and Prix de Diane entry. Out of an unraced half-sister to the dam of Baaeed and Hukum, she won on debut at Wolverhampton in November. 

Trainer Owen Burrows said: “Falakeyah is an exciting filly and we are looking forward to running her. She was very impressive at Wolverhampton and she’s done well physically through the winter and spring. She’s a big filly, who takes a little bit of knowing, and her recent work has been pleasing. 

“We thought she was going to be a 10-furlong filly, but Jim (Crowley) has intimated that she has got plenty of speed, so we might start at a mile in the Conqueror Stakes, a Listed race at Goodwood in May, otherwise, we have the option of the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Guineas meeting over 10 furlongs.” 

Shadwell’s other Classic entries are Elwateen in the 1000 Guineas and Almeraq in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. 

Thoroughbred Thoughts - 5 quick questions for Mike Ryan 

In the first of a series, Mike Ryan answers five quick-fire bloodstock questions. A world-renowned agent as well as an incredibly-successful breeder and owner based in Lexington, Mike has been in the industry for over 50 years. He set up Mike Ryan Bloodstock in 1981. 

1. Proudest moment as a breeder? 

It would have to be co-breeding Always Dreaming, the Kentucky Derby winner of 2017, with my late friend and partner Gerry Dilger. Second would have to be breeding More Than Real, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner for Bobby Flay. 

2. Which Shadwell stallions are you supporting in 2025? 

I’ve bred two mares back to Baaeed this year and will continue to support him. I am thrilled with the two well-bred yearling fillies we have by him and I am excited to send them to Ireland to prep for the Tattersalls October Sale. 

3. One piece of bloodstock advice for your younger self? 

Spend time working in Australia and or Japan, and also work for a top international trainer either in Europe or the US. 

4. One thing you would like to see changed in the thoroughbred industry? 

I would really like to see the purse structure for European races improve, particularly in England. 

5. A horse to follow in 2025? 

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