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| Staff Writer |
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Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's recent decision to remove ten horses from Roger Varian's Newmarket yard is seeing swift developments, with several high-profile runners finding new homes across the racing landscape.
Leading the charge is the smart Aimeric, now residing at Karl Burke's North Yorkshire base. The 108-rated gelding could make his debut for new connections as soon as this weekend, with the Listed Weatherbys Solutions August Stakes over 1m3½f at Windsor on Saturday evening a potential target.
Burke, enjoying a surge in firepower, has reportedly welcomed three of Sheikh Obaid's former Varian inmates. Alongside Aimeric, the Yorkshire handler is now overseeing Boiling Point, already a Listed winner this term having claimed the King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket in May.
Heading across Newmarket is Irish Derby fourth Matsuri, earmarked to join the burgeoning string of George Boughey once recovered from a recent setback. The Sea The Stars colt, a US$882,000 Tattersalls purchase by Varian in 2022, earned a lofty official rating of 114 after his unlucky fourth behind Los Angeles in the Gr.1 Irish Derby at the Curragh last month.
While ten horses have departed Varian's Carlburg Stables, it's understood Sheikh Obaid's Group One winners Rosallion and Inisherin are remaining with their current trainers. The owner's decision to split with Varian ends a successful nine-year partnership that yielded multiple top-level triumphs globally, including with the likes of Postponed and Defoe.
Other notable movers include 109-rated handicapper Botanical, last seen finishing runner-up in the John Smith's Cup, and a quartet of winning three-year-olds: Kinako Mochi, Gracious Leader, Immortal Knight, and Esprit Queen. Two juveniles, once-raced Megaphone and the 67-rated Style King, complete the exodus.
Reflecting on the split, Varian said: "Sheikh Obaid is a passionate and committed supporter of racing across the globe and I wish him and his horses all the best in the future."
With these high-profile horses finding new homes, the racing world will be keenly watching their progress under fresh guidance, particularly as the autumn campaign season approaches.