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Derby update: Mohaafeth heading to Epsom with ‘enormous confidence’

3 minute read

Mohaafeth’s attempt to claim a third Derby for the late Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Shadwell operation will be underpinned by the enormous confidence he gained from his latest victory, according to racing manager Angus Gold.

MOHAAFETH winning the Betfair Newmarket Stakes (Listed)
MOHAAFETH winning the Betfair Newmarket Stakes (Listed) Picture: Pat Healy Photography

The son of Frankel burst into contention for the Epsom Classic when he won the Newmarket Stakes (Listed) by five lengths on Guineas weekend to post his third victory in a row. The William Haggas-trained colt will now bid to emulate Nashwan and Erhaab, winners in the famous Shadwell silks in 1989 and 1994.

"Mohaafeth has come out of his race at Newmarket really well and William said he was bouncing after the race," said Gold.

"I saw him on Saturday and he physically looks a lot stronger than he did last year. He is not built like a big long-striding horse. When you look at him he looks like he is a mile and a quarter horse but I'm sure he will stay a mile and a half.

"You love to see a horse travel like how he did at Newmarket," Gold went on. "It gives the horse enormous confidence. He has now won three races this year and after doing that last time he will pretty much have his head in his chest and his confidence must be good.

"When a horse travels like he did last time at Newmarket it is always a sign they have some sort of class."

Mohaafeth was a maiden until March this year, finishing seventh and third in two outings as a two-year-old before scoring on the all-weather after he turned three. "He won well first time out at Lingfield then he came out and improved again second time out on his first outing at Newmarket and then last time back at Newmarket he stepped forward again," said Gold.

"To that degree it has been a pleasant surprise but with a horse bred like how he is he was only going to get better as a three-year-old."


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