Wathnan Racing Targets British Champions Day Glory at Ascot with Six Runners

Mdmar – Ascot

Wathnan Racing heads into Qatar Racing British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday with six runners across three races, including five contenders in two prestigious Group 1 contests, as the Qatari racing operation seeks a major victory at the climax of the British Flat racing season.

The prestigious fixture features five Group 1 races and more than £4.3 million in prize money, bringing together some of the world’s leading thoroughbreds, jockeys and trainers.

Gregory and Opportunity Lead the Staying Challenge

Wathnan Racing will be doubly represented in the £500,000 Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup, run over approximately two miles at 1:30 pm British time (3:30 pm Doha time).

Gregory, trained by John and Thady Gosden and ridden by James Doyle, returns to Group 1 competition in outstanding form following two consecutive Listed victories this season.

The six-year-old produced a remarkable 11-length success in the Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes at Newmarket in September, demonstrating that he retains his considerable ability after overcoming several physical setbacks.

Gregory also holds a special place in Wathnan Racing’s history, having provided the operation with its first Royal Ascot victory in the 2023 Group 2 Queen’s Vase.

Joining him is Opportunity, trained by William Haggas and partnered by Tom Marquand.

The four-year-old enjoyed a successful campaign, highlighted by victory in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot, followed by a second-place finish in Group 3 company at Goodwood and third place in the prestigious Ebor Handicap at York.

His step up to Group 1 company and the extended distance will provide a significant examination of his stamina and class.

Their principal opponents include St Leger winner Highwayman and Prix du Cadran hero Caballo De Mar.

Triple Wathnan Assault on the Champions Sprint

Wathnan Racing also fields three strong contenders in the £500,000 Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes, contested over six furlongs at 2:05 pm British time (4:05 pm Doha time).

Kind Of Blue, trained by James Fanshawe and ridden by newly crowned British champion jockey Billy Loughnane, returns to the scene of his memorable Group 1 victory in 2024.

The five-year-old recently ended a lengthy winless spell with an encouraging success at Kempton on 30 September, providing renewed confidence ahead of his return to Ascot.

Paborus, representing trainer Edward Bethell with Daniel Tudhope aboard, arrives after an excellent runner-up performance in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Although beaten by Almeraq, Paborus finished comfortably ahead of the remaining opposition, suggesting he could once again be competitive at the highest level.

Completing the sprint trio is Division, trained by William Haggas and partnered by Wathnan Racing’s retained jockey James Doyle.

The three-year-old has repeatedly demonstrated his quality in elite sprint company, notably finishing third in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and runner-up in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in France.

Division has yet to register a victory this season, but his consistency against top-class opposition makes him an interesting contender.

The Wathnan trio faces a formidable challenge from Almeraq, whose victories at Royal Ascot and Haydock have established him among Europe’s leading sprinters.

Torito Completes the Wathnan Line-up

Wathnan Racing’s sixth runner, Torito, contests the concluding £200,000 Balmoral Handicap over one mile at 4:35 pm British time (6:35 pm Doha time).

The six-year-old, trained by Ed Walker and ridden by James Doyle, returns following an absence from racing since July.

Torito faces a competitive field of experienced milers and will be attempting to produce an improved performance under his new trainer.

A Major Opportunity for Wathnan Racing

With five runners seeking Group 1 glory and a sixth taking part in the competitive Balmoral Handicap, Wathnan Racing has assembled a varied team capable of competing across both staying and sprint distances.

The return to form of Gregory and Kind Of Blue, together with the progressive profiles of Opportunity, Paborus and Division, provides several promising opportunities for the Qatari operation.

A victory at Ascot would represent a significant achievement and a fitting conclusion to another ambitious British racing campaign for Wathnan Racing.

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The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.