Sheikh Ahmed enjoys long-overdue success

While attention has been focussed on the performances of Godolphin's runners during last weekend's major races in England and America, Major General Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Head of Dubai Police and Public Security claimed his own share of racing history at Newmarket on Sunday.

Also a key member of Godolphin Racing Inc., Sheikh Ahmed won his first ever English Classic when 10-1 Ameerat landed the Sagitta 1,000 Guineas.

Ironically the victory came at the expense of Godolphin's Muwakleh, the third favourite in this fillies race.

Sheikh Ahmed, who has been a leading patron of horse racing both in the UAE and in the UK, was unfortunately not at Newmarket to see the horse he bred in Ireland make history. He is reportedly away on a fishing expedition.

But three-time UAE champion trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam, who trains exclusively for Sheikh Ahmed in the UAE, termed Ameerat's victory as being "long overdue."

"If anyone deserves a Classic victory it is Sheikh Ahmed," Selvaratnam said from Singapore yesterday. "He loves his racing very, very much, but he has been a bit unlucky when it comes to finding big race winners. It's a pity he wasn't at Newmarket when the horse won, but I'm sure he will be thrilled with the result all the same. He's one of the most dedicated racing enthusiasts I've ever met."

Ameerat's win also presented veteran trainer Michael Jarvis, who has long trained horses for Sheikh Ahmed, with his first ever success in the Classics.

"I've been second in the Oaks and second in the St Leger, I've won some Classics abroad and an Arc," Jarvis, 62, told the Racing Post. "But I thought I might have been running out of time.
"If you're English and you've been training in England for a long time, it's a big thrill to win one of our Classics. I think it's better than winning the Arc because it's at home."

Ameerat, who is by 1996 Guineas winner Mark of Esteem, is owned and bred by Sheikh Ahmed at Ireland.

Sheikh Ahmed owns the filly's dam Walimu, who was the winner of three races out of nine starts in 1992. She is believed to be standing at Kildangan Stud in Ireland.

The closest Sheikh Ahmed came to winning a classic was in the late eighties when Mtoto shaped like a classic colt. In 1988 Mtoto won three of England's biggest races - the King George, Prince of Wales Stakes and Coral Eclipse Stakes.

Sheikh Ahmed, who also owns 2,000 Guineas flop Toubougg, won the UAE owner's champion in 1998-1999 with a record 58 wins. The year proved a landmark for his Jebel Ali Stables when trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam and retained jockey Willie Supple also clinched the championships in a clean sweep.

Last season Sheikh Ahmed won a creditable 28 races in the UK, just short of his career-best record of 31 wins in 1998. In the past five years he has won over 130 races in the UK alone.
Following her stunning win in the 1,000 Guineas Ameerat has been installed a 5-1 joint-favourite with Muwakleh to win the English Oaks in June.

But Jarvis said in the Racing Post: "I would warn punters to hold fire on the Oaks because she isn't a certain runner at this stage. I will have to discuss it with Sheikh Ahmed. She's in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes."