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| Staff Writer |
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Angus Gold, Shadwell’s racing manager speaks with Ten Furlongs to take stock of a decades-long career, and how he’s channelling the experience he gained during his time with Sheikh Hamdan into Shadwell’s future.
Q: What are Shadwell’s plans for the upcoming GCC racing season?
A: We have sent over a few horses including Maydanny who was with Mark Johnston. For the horses which are trained in Europe that might come out to race in the world cup in Dubai, we are considering Hukum for the Sheema Classic with Owen Barrows, and perhaps Mohaafeth with William Haggas and Minzaal might work with Owen Burrows for the Sprint.
Q: What are your thoughts about the performance of your horses?
A: Shadwell horses have been doing better over the past season. Sheikha Hissa hopes to build Shadwell up again over the next couple of years. She hopes to get some nice young horses to come out and race in the Carnivals. Hopefully, we will be able to do that. We have to choose the right ones to promote.
Q: Do you foresee buying more horses to supplement Shadwell-bred horses in training?
A: Going to sales in the next couple of years is Sheikha Hissa and her family’s decision. We had to go through this process of reducing the numbers significantly, which we have nearly completed with the February sale in England.
This is a year of rationalising and taking stock of everything while observing what the family wants to do going forward. Hopefully, we will have 70 to 80 relatively decent horses in training, winning some graded races around the world. It is up to the family whether or not they want to buy horses or just keep going with homebreds for the immediate future.
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Q: Finally, 2021 made it your 35th year at Shadwell. How has your journey been?
A: I was blessed to work for a man like Sheikh Hamdan. There aren't many men like him, in any world, let alone in our world. I was fortunate to have him in charge and also work closely with him. Not just for his investment, but his enthusiasm, knowledge, wisdom, and his particular love for every aspect of his business.
It's only dawning on me now how lucky I was. At that time, we took everything for granted. I miss my conversations with him, his wisdom, and his ideas. I was lucky to be around him for so long. His passion for this business till the day he died was remarkable. We are very happy to have Sheikha Hissa, with her family supporting her, who are keen to honour Sheikh Hamdan's legacy and continue with a reduced number of horses.
The stud is paramount, that's what Sheikh Hamdan put so much time, effort, thought and money into. He would want it to continue and hopefully, between us and all the various stud managers, we will be able to continue to make it as successful as we possibly can.