Mohaather gains Breeders' Cup Mile berth with Sussex Stakes win
Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Mohaather was an emphatic winner of Wednesday’s Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood. The 4-year-old’s victory earned him a guaranteed starting position in the $2 million TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile through the international Breeders’ Cup Challenge.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge is an international series of stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 6-7.
Mohaather stepped up in class and swept home late to score his first Group 1 success in style. The smart son of Showcasing (GB), trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Jim Crowley, showed his brilliant turn of foot to score by three-quarters of a length from three-time Group 1 winner Circus Maximus in second.
Tattersall Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) winner Siskin suffered his first defeat to finish third, with QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner (G1) Kameko fourth after a troubled trip.
Mohaather completed the mile in 1:38.75 over a course listed as good.
Winning jockey Jim Crowley commented: “The race didn’t go to plan. I was quite well marked throughout. The horse really got me out of it. I had to let the race unfold and then pull him around.
“I got to the back of Siskin and once he saw daylight he flew. Obviously giving weight away I think it was a very special performance. Just the way it panned out – he was exceptional.”
Marcus Tregoning, celebrating his first Group 1 success since landing the Derby with Sir Percy in 2006, was delighted with his winning colt’s performance.
“It was a little bit of a nightmare, but I knew that if he got out that he would have the speed. He has got a very good turn of foot as you can see. He finds heaps under pressure.
“I couldn’t have been more happy with him and the team have done a great job. I am very lucky to train horses for Sheikh Hamdan. He has been an avid supporter.
“I thought he would win. All the indications were that we had him right. He’s done nothing but please me.”
Mohaather is now joint favorite at 4-1 with UNIBET for the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile, alongside Godolphin’s Pinatubo, and Tregoning believes his colt has the tactical speed for Keeneland.
“It’s always possible. We know he has the tactical speed to go around those tighter tracks. It’s what you need. This horse has got so much pace.”
Mohaather becomes the fifth horse this year to gain a “Win and You’re In” berth for the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile. He joins Vardy, winner of the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate (G1) in South Africa; Raging Bull, who captured the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita; Gran Alegria, who took the Yasuda Kinen (G1) in Japan; and Circus Maximus, winner of the Queen Anne (G1) at Royal Ascot.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for Mohaather to start in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile, which will be run at 1 mile over the Keeneland turf course. Breeders’ Cup also will provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.