Dubai: Shaikh Mohammad Obaid Al Maktoum has a fondness for drawing inspiration from his native Dubai, when it comes to naming his race horses.
As a result Zabeel Prince, Ajman Princess, Lady of Dubai and Emirates Queen have all carried his yellow racing silks to victory in some of the biggest races in the UK.
On Wednesday, it was the turn of Ajman King to join that illustrious list when he won the £50,000 City and Suburban Handicap at the Epsom Spring meeting. First run in 1851, the 2,000 metre contest originally attracted top-class racehorses in the 19th and early 20th century.
Trained by Roger Varian at Suffolk, Newmarket, the four-year-old son of Loup de Vega, the pride of Ireland’s Ballylinch Stud, justified strong favouritism under Andrea Atzeni to win by a comfortable length from the Silvestre de Sousa-ridden Dash Of Spice.
Atzeni said: “Ajman King is a nice horse and he kept on nicely when I asked him to quicken.
“I was impressed with the way he picked up and it was a smart performance. I think he could step up to 12 furlongs.”
Shaikh Mohammad Obaid, a hugely successful owner, claimed his biggest victory at Epsom in the summer of 1998 when the Luca Cumani-trained High-Rise won the Group 1 English Derby, arguably the greatest flat race in the world.
He was also the proud owner of Postponed, winner of major Group 1 races including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Juddmonte International Stakes and Coronation Cup, in England, the Prix Jean Romanet in France and the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.
Meanwhile, legendary Newmarket trainer John Gosden got his 2018 season off to a flyer when he saddled a four-in-a-row led by Crossed Baton, who won the £50,000 Blue Riband Trial in impressive fashion. It was Gosden’s second successive victory in the famous race after the brilliant Cracksman 12 months ago.
No decision has been made yet about whether the Derby is the target for Crossed Baton and Gosden explained: “We’ll see how he comes out of this race — he handled the track pretty well and he has won. There is obviously, the Investec Derby to consider. It is a step at a time at this time of year, but it’s wonderful to win a nice Listed race here at Epsom.
“He is already in the Derby and that is a nice option. We’re thrilled with the horse and he’s shown the benefit of his recent win at Kempton. It’s lovely to win this race again.”
