Muhaarar Trounces Sprint Rivals at Ascot

Sheikh Hamdan's homebred Muhaarar underscored his rank as Europe's top sprinter Oct. 17 when he earned a fourth group I win this year in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint at Ascot.

 

The 5-2 favorite in the 20-horse field, Muhaarar was under a stout hold from jockey Paul Hanagan while up close behind Heaven's Guest's early pace. The 3-year-old Oasis Dream colt made his winning move to lead with more than a furlong to run and charged clear to a sparkling two-length victory.

 

Twilight Son went to second inside the final eighth but was never going to catch the winner, who covered six furlongs on good turf in 1:13.44. Danzeno finished third, another 1 1/4 lengths back.

 

Muhaarar's comprehensive win was his fourth successive at the top level, following the Commonwealth Cup in June at Royal Ascot, the Darley July Cup at Newmarket, and the Prix Maurice de Gheest Aug. 9 at Deauville, his previous start 69 days ago.

 

The tight turns at Keeneland took a trip to the Breeders' Cup off the table.

 

"We had been thinking of America (for the Breeders' Cup Mile, gr. IT, Oct. 31)," Sheikh Hamdan said, "but whereas European sprinters race in a straight line, in America they go round a bend and that tends to slow the Europeans up, and at Keeneland it is one furlong and then turn and turn.

 

"Muhaarar had three group I races in six weeks and then we decided to give him a break to go for this race. It's a special day for the horses and the crowd, and we wanted him to be here."

 

Muhaarar, trained by Charlie Hills, has an overall record of 7-0-3 from 11 career starts. 

 

"He's been very straightforward," Hills said. "He certainly has the will to win and he's got a beautiful temperament and great looks. He's gone a little bit in his coat in the past two days, but I think that was a career best.

 

"He's improved with each run this year. I gather no three-year-old has won four consecutive group I (sprints) since 1980."

 

Muhaarar, whose dam is the stakes-placed Linamix mare Tahrir, is likely now to retire to Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell Stud in Norfolk.

 

Hanagan, however, has made no secret that he hopes the colt will stay in training as 4-year-old.

 

"It's like getting into a Ferrari and putting your foot down when you want to," the jockey said.