NO gloating, but behind closed doors a warm smile of satisfaction.
That’s how the late Prince Khalid Abdullah would have received his brilliant York winners Item and Kalpana on the Knavesmire this week.
How the late, great Prince Khalid Abdullah would have got so much joy from seeing Item and Kalpana win at York this week Credit: PA
Prince Ahmed joins jockey Colin Keane and Juddmonte’s Barry Mahon to celebrate Kalpana’s success in the Yorkshire Oaks Credit: PA
Abdullah’s pink, green and white silks have been carried by some of the sport’s most treasured names, including Known Fact, Rainbow Quest, Dancing Brave, Kingman, dual Arc heroine Enable, Breeders’ Cup Classic romper Arrogate and, for most, the greatest horse of all time in the unbeaten Frankel.
On Wednesday it was a son of Frankel who snatched the week’s feature Group one International Stakes, sponsored by Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms.
And on Thursday Kalpana’s Yorkshire Oaks victory brought back memories of another Abdullah star as the rocket 2,000 Guineas winner from 1993, Zafonic, is in her family line.
Frankel landed the 2012 International, as did the operation’s Twice Over in 2011. Both were trained by Sir Henry Cecil.
Prince Ahmed, a son of Abdullah, was on hand to greet Item and Kalpana.
I spoke to him on ITV after the latter’s success but was lucky enough to catch a rare and private chat with him following Item’s last gasp flourish and wondered how much his father would have enjoyed the continued Juddmonte legacy.
“My father was a very reserved man, and you don’t see him emotional,” Prince Ahmed explained.
“But when we were in private his smile was as wide as it could ever come. I have seen him at many joyful occasions but whenever his horse won a big race like this one it makes the whole week for him. We as children would take advantage of that!”
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When Abdullah passed away in 2021 there were rumours that Juddmonte Farms would be wound up, that perhaps his sons were not so bitten by the racing bug.
But the reality has been nothing like that. Things may well be run a little differently, but racing fans can be assured the colours they have grown to adore are going nowhere.
“Racing and breeding means a whole lot to us,” Prince Ahmed continued.
“And not only to me – my brothers, my sisters and even the grandchildren.
“When we see the green, pink and white it just brings us so much joy and so much pride of what my father has done.
“Selling the operation was a no-brainer for us to say no to.”
Item is now arguably the best three-year-old in training.
Prince Ahmed added: “It is very, very exciting. I talked to Andrew Balding and told him I was so emotional winning the King George (VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot with Kalpana) but I think I’m even more emotional winning the Juddmonte International.
“I can see my father over and over and over and I’m glad I have brought my children here to see what I have seen when I was their age. I’m so excited.
“Breeding a horse like Item, having the sire and I must admit running in the company he was with is just unbelievable. There were unbelievable horses in this race. I think it’s the best race of this year.
‘Just being in the company of the good horses is good enough for us. But to beat them is special.
“My father always liked this race, and we have such fond memories of it in the 80s and 90s. It reminds me of my father everywhere I go seeing his colours.”
Juddmonte could win today’s big betting race, the Sky Bet Ebor, with Tarriance, who might well go off favourite for Balding.
But I’m hoping for a big run from HOPEWELL ROCK who stepped up to this afternoon’s trip of 1m6f at Goodwood (Tarriance behind) and saw it out well to win a handicap off a mark of 101.
He’s up 4lb here to 105 but he’s a very lightly raced horse and he could be open to bundles of improvement.
In the early stages of his career, he coped with wet ground very well so if it doesn’t dry out much the surface will be no problem and he’s got a cracking draw in stall three.
Callum Rodriguez picks up the ride for George Boughey and I’m a little surprised James Doyle has ditched him for Wathnan’s other runner Opportunity.
I’ll chance a few quid each-way.
I also believe TEN BOB TONY is a cracking place bet in the Group one Sky Bet City of York Stakes.
The Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes fourth is arguably better at seven furlongs than a mile and goes on any surface.
Good luck!
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