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Plenty of cause for cheer at the meeting for Shadwell

There was plenty of cause for cheer in the performances of Shadwell’s representatives at Royal Ascot last week.

It was undoubtedly MOHAAFETH who provided the highlight with his impressive victory in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes.

The son of FRANKEL, bred by Normandie Stud out of the Listed-winning SEA THE STARS mare FRENCH DRESSING, is now unbeaten in four starts at three for William Haggas. “He’s always been a nice horse and I thought he looked great today,” said the trainer after the race.

MOHAAFETH could now run in the Group 1 Eclipse at Sandown on July 3, provided he gets his favoured good or firmer ground.

Shadwell runners also finished runner-up in three contests at this year’s royal meeting.

ESHAADA found only LOVING DREAM too good in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes, staying on well despite racing a little keenly and having to travel wide early in the race.

The Roger Varian-trained filly had won both her previous starts, including the Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial Stakes. The Racing Post analysis stated “there should be more to come from her and she may prove the best of these in the long run”.

ESHAADA is a Shadwell homebred by Nunnery Stud resident MUHAARAR out of MUHAWALAH, a winning NAYEF full-sister to Sheikh Hamdan’s dual Group 1 hero and Derrinstown Stud sire TAMAYUZ.

DANYAH, a four-year-old by INVINCIBLE SPIRIT out of 1,000 Guineas runner-up CUIS GHAIRE, ran a close second in the Buckingham Palace Handicap for Owen Burrows, while SAMOOT, a DUBAWI filly out of Fred Darling Stakes winner MUTHABARA, filled the same position in the Sandringham Handicap. Both are Shadwell homebreds.

Another who carried the operation’s illustrious blue and white silks with distinction at Royal Ascot was HUKUM.

The four-year-old homebred, by SEA THE STARS out of the Listed-winning KINGMAMBO mare AGHAREED, was one of Sheikh Hamdan’s sensational six winners at the meeting in 2020 and one year later he finished a fine third to WONDERFUL TONIGHT in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes.

Away from Royal Ascot, perhaps the most eye-catching effort by a Shadwell horse in the last week was put up by HUKUM’s three-year-old full-brother BAAEED when he remained unbeaten in two starts with a seven and a half-length success in a Newmarket novice stakes.

The Racing Post reported that the colt won “in devastating style” and “looks a fine prospect”.

Another exciting performer for Shadwell at Newmarket in the last week was TAWAHUB, who carried Sheikha Hissa’s silks to victory in a competitive handicap.

The homebred daughter of KINGMAN “had too much in reserve for her rivals” and won “going away”, reported the Racing Post.

Results at the royal meeting also threw up some important pedigree updates for Shadwell, not least the convincing victory of PALACE PIER in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes.

The John Gosden-trained colt, who tops the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for the first half of 2021, is out of BEACH FROLIC, a daughter of Nunnery Stud stalwart stallion NAYEF.

He is also a three-parts brother to TATWEEJ, a winner for Sheikh Hamdan who is now ensconced in the Shadwell broodmare band.

TATWEEJ delivered her first foal, a filly by AWTAAD, in January and she was covered this year by FRANKEL.