Royal Ascot Race Report: Wathnan Racing Rises to Prominence
The rise of Wathnan Racing, the free-spending new force in horse racing, was a significant storyline during the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting. As reported by David Ord, the operation led by Racing Manager Richard Brown showcased their ambition and financial muscle, emerging as a major player on the biggest stage.
Brown, entrusted by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to spearhead Wathnan’s venture, left no stone unturned in his pursuit of success. The team’s meticulous preparation, including a detailed presentation to secure the services of top jockey James Doyle, highlighted their determination to build a stable capable of challenging the sport’s established powerhouses.
“If you come into market place and just buy everything, you ruin it for yourself. So you have to go in, value the horse and if you’re lucky enough to value the horse correctly you buy it, if you don’t you walk away because there’s always another one.”
- Richard Brown, Wathnan Racing
The breeze-up sales proved a new frontier for Wathnan, where they purchased 12 six-figure lots. Seven of these made it to Royal Ascot, and the team’s savvy placement of these horses with trainers known for developing such prospects paid dividends. Victories for Leovanni in the Queen Mary Stakes and Shareholder in the Norfolk Stakes, along with placed efforts from Electrolyte and Columnist in the Coventry Stakes, showcased the fruits of their labor.
While Wathnan’s wealth may suggest a bottomless pit of resources, Brown emphasized the disciplined approach adopted by the operation. Every horse is carefully assessed and valued, with a strict budget in place that limits their spending. This prudent strategy allowed Wathnan to miss out on some high-profile purchases, like the £8.1 million sale of Sparkling Plenty at the Goffs London Sale, where they stuck to their valuation despite the frenzy.
As the focus turns to the next phase of Wathnan’s development, the potential emergence of stallion prospects from their burgeoning juvenile and three-year-old teams will be a crucial decision point. Whether they opt to retain or sell such assets will be a key indicator of their long-term vision for the operation.
In a week where Godolphin endured a second successive blank at Royal Ascot, Wathnan Racing finished as the runner-up to the powerhouse Coolmore organization in the leading owners’ table. The questions are no longer about their seriousness, but rather the limits of their ambition as they continue to make their mark on the sport of kings.
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