Sakhee tops Galileo in European ratings

Sakhee's claim to be the best older horse in training received a further boost when he topped the European standings above dual Derby winner Galileo.

The Godolphin four-year-old, who produced a top-class performance to win the Juddmonte International at York last week, was given a handicap rating of 131 yesterday, 1lb more than the Irish champion Galileo.

Sakhee, last year's English Derby runner-up who was absent for a little over a year with a setback in training following a knee injury and a subsequent operation, is owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Industry.

Commenting on the colt's evaluation BHB senior handicapper Nigel Gray said in the Racing Post: "Sakhee produced a really powerful-looking performance at York. It has added spice to the races to come. We are looking forward to Galileo against Fantastic Light and now we have another very serious mile and a quarter horse, who has already shown himself to be a serious mile and a half horse as well.

"When the pressure was applied three furlongs out, Sakhee was two lengths in front of Grandera and at the line he had increased the advantage by at least another five lengths. He just powered away from them," he added.

"With both Medicean and Black Minnaloushe running a little below their best, Grandera is the best guide to the form and I have him running to a similar level to the Eclipse. Through him, Sakhee comes out at 131, calling the seven lengths 12lb."

Sakhee's rating, a provisional mark until the International Classifications are decided at the end of the season, has been raised from 123.

However, he is still rated behind Sinndar, his conqueror in last year's Vodafone Derby, whose Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe success helped him achieve a final figure of 132.

Five times in the last six years a horse from the four-year-olds-and-upwards division has topped the standings. Last year Godolphin's Dubai World Cup winner Dubai Millennium topped the International Classifications with a rating of 134.

Only 1996 Dubai World Cup winner Cigar and Godolphin's 1999 Emirates World Series Racing Championship winner Daylami have been rated higher when given a 135.

However, enthusiasm should be tempered to a degree, for should Galileo win Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on his return to 10 furlongs he is likely to reclaim the mantle of 'best horse in Europe.'

In the wake of the rating's honour Sakhee's next assignment is most likely the Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket on October 20 though a shot at the Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe, which runs on October 7, has not been ruled out.

Sakhee is a fourth favourite behind stablemate Fantastic Light for the Longchamp highlight with even Frankie Dettori having hinted that the race was 'a strong possibility.' Precise plans, however, will be made by Sheikh Hamdan.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said in the Post: "Future plans are undecided. He's well entered up in all the top races. We'll be talking to Sheikh Hamdan to finalise his autumn campaign in the near future.

"Obviously Sakhee produced a great performance at York. It was great to see him back reproducing the form he showed last year and hopefully he can go on from that."

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe latest odds:
7-2 Fantastic Light, 5-1 Aquarelliste, 6 Hightori, 7 Sakhee, 8 Anabaa Blue, 12 Lailani, Chichicastenango, Mirio, 14 Egyptband, Maille Pistol, 16 Alexius, Grandera, 20 Mr Combustible, Morshdi, Tobougg, 25 bar