By Tom Frary
Maintaining his unbeaten record in straightforward fashion, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Quddwah (GB) (Kingman {GB}–Sajjhaa {GB}, by King's Best) registered a career-best on Saturday in Ascot's G2 Anne Cowley Memorial Summer Mile. Held back from the Royal meeting with an abnormal blood count having won the Listed Paradise Stakes in May, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained homebred travelled sweetly tracking the leaders on this return. Committed by Callum Shepherd passing two out, the 5-4 favourite had a comfortable half-length margin to spare over Ancient Rome (War Front) at the line.
Where Quddwah's limit is remains hard to quantify, with two novice wins at Salisbury and Newmarket behind him last spring alongside his two black-type successes this term. As a son of the G1 Dubai Duty Free, G1 Jebel Hatta, G2 Balanchine and G2 Cape Verdi winner Sajjhaa with considerable size and scope, he could yet make into a genuine Group 1 horse and connections are understandably keen to try him at that level.
“He never does much in front and is still a bit immature, but he's learning to race now and he's got tons of ability,” Ed Crisford said. “He travels extremely well and put the race to bed pretty quickly really and was always doing enough in front, even though he idles a bit. I think there's plenty more to come; he's unbeaten, he's only had four runs in his life and I think a stronger pace will suit him. We'll have to see what Sheikh Ahmed wants, but he's in the Prix Jacques le Marois as well as the Sussex and that is an option.”
Callum Shepherd added, “He's got that stargazing sort of head carriage, but I never felt vulnerable up to the line, which is a good feeling as a rider. I feel if he'd been given a real challenge late on, he'd have responded to it, but he did everything right. He was probably handier than he's been in some races in the past, but he makes it very simple for his rider and he's a top-notch horse.”
Pedigree Notes
Quddwah is currently the last known foal out of the aforementioned Sajjhaa, a granddaughter of the owner's G3 Lancashire Oaks scorer and G1 Oaks runner-up Noushkey (GB) (Polish Precedent). The family includes the G1 Prix Jean Prat and G1 Japan Cup hero Alkaased (Kingmambo).
Quddwah retains his unbeaten record, holding off Ancient Rome for victory in the Summer Mile at @Ascot for @CallumSheppy and Simon & Ed Crisford… pic.twitter.com/paDknhX8Cd
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 13, 2024
Saturday, Ascot, Britain
ANNE COWLEY MEMORIAL SUMMER MILE STAKES-G2, £140,000, Ascot, 7-13, 4yo/up, 7f 213yT, 1:41.36, gd.
1–QUDDWAH (GB), 129, c, 4, by Kingman (GB)
1st Dam: Sajjhaa (GB) (MG1SW-UAE, GSW-Ity, MSW & MGSP-Eng, $3,784,720), by King's Best
2nd Dam: Anaamil (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Noushkey (GB), by Polish Precedent
1ST GROUP WIN. O-Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Simon & Ed Crisford; J-Callum Shepherd. £79,394. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $156,649. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ancient Rome, 129, h, 5, War Front–Gagnoa (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. O-Mrs Fitri Hay; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Charles Hills. £30,100.
3–Embesto (GB), 129, c, 4, Roaring Lion–Dibajj (Fr), by Iffraaj (GB). (130,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum; B-Deerfield Farm (GB); T-Roger Varian. £15,064.
Margins: HF, NK, NK. Odds: 1.25, 18.00, 9.00.
Also Ran: Royal Dubai (Fr), Beshtani (Fr), Sonny Liston (Ire), Bolster (GB). Scratched: Epictetus (Ire), Sparks Fly (GB).
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