Rashabar Rekindles The Sangster Legacy With A Victorious Display At Royal Ascot

Manton Thoroughbreds driven passionately forward by Sam Sangster, the son of the legendary Robert Sangster, has established itself as one of the most notable syndicates of recent years. In an exclusive interview with Ten Furlongs, Sangster takes us on an incredible journey through the world of racing through a lens only decades of experience can bring. He chats about Rashabar’s incredible victory in the Coventry Stakes at the recently concluded Royal Ascot meeting. Although, Manton Thoroughbreds and Sangster co-own Rashabar, the horse rode in the famous silks of Robert Sangster making the victory beyond momentous for him and the team.

From a dissection of the 2024 Coventry Stakes, a premier juvenile contest and Rashabar’s performance, to his relatable struggles and achievements with Manton Thoroughbreds, and the overall enduring passion & kinship in thoroughbred racing, Sangster takes us through his role in Rashabar’s incredible win and his plans for the immediate future.

Please describe the emotions you felt when Rashabar won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot 2024, especially considering the significance of the late Robert Sangster's silks being carried by the horse.

I take great pride in it. It's special to me because of my family's involvement in maintaining the legacy left by our father. My brother Adam owns a stud farm in Australia, while Ben manages a top-quality broodmare band. My nephew Ollie is now training horses with many running in our colours, and I work with Manton Thoroughbreds.

When the horse crossed the line, a rush of emotion overwhelmed me, knowing what we had achieved in that moment. Waiting for the photo finish felt excruciating, but when they finally announced him as the winner and I saw our colours on the big screen, the warmth and love from everyone involved with the horse was overwhelming.

Without the owners, these colours would not have continued. I brought everyone together, and without them, Manton Thoroughbreds would not have survived its first year. They are a crucial part of our work, especially Brian and his team for their contribution. I feel a strong sense of pride, as it was a moment of great pride for me and my family. It's truly a team effort.

When I was 16, my father passed away, and I wasn't involved in the industry at that time. I later moved to Australia and started working with my brother Adam in my twenties. Working in racing was never a clear path for me.

I truly embraced the Australian approach and learned a lot about the significance of syndicates and how they are the backbone of Australian racing.

Looking at it now, I couldn't give you the exact percentage of syndicate horses winning group ones. However, around 80% of Group One horses are purchased from sales in Australia, which really caught my attention.

After spending nearly four years there, I returned in 2013/14 and made the decision to start forming a syndicate. We began with a small syndicate called Decadent Racing and then joined forces with Brian to establish Manton Thoroughbreds.

What sets Rashabar apart from other 2YO colts that you have been involved with in the past?

I believe he has an exceptional mindset. Even in high-pressure settings like Royal Ascot, where the crowd is large, he remains composed despite only having two starts as a two-year-old. His mental composure was evident in his previous runs before Chester, which had a similar atmosphere with big crowds and loud music. He seemed unfazed, almost as if it was routine for him, similar to walking around at home.

Another notable point is that the horses at Manton are trained in a quiet environment, unlike the hustle and bustle of Lambourn or Newmarket with numerous horses and cars.

Despite the tranquil setting, the horse transitioned from Chester to Ascot seamlessly, remaining relaxed and conserving energy. It's a pleasure to be associated with a horse like him, as his composure and winning performance demonstrate his potential for a bright future.

How was Rashabar identified and selected for purchase as a yearling at the Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale, and what were the key attributes or qualities that stood out to you and Brian Meehan during the selection process?

Arqana of Deauville is a challenging sale to attend if you're looking to buy. We were there with an order to purchase a filly for a valued client who had specific criteria for the sale. The average price range hovers around US $150,000 to US $200,000, so we approached the situation with a realistic mindset.

My colleague Brian and I always conduct thorough research and put a lot of effort into studying pedigrees. We've been successful with stallions that may not be as trendy as others.

Typically, a first-season sire commands a premium due to the excitement around its unknown potential, compared to a horse that has been a long time retired off the track, such as the Holy Roman Emperor, who may not be as fashionable at his current age. Despite this, he remains very popular in Hong Kong.

However, we closely examined him because we believed he fit our criteria due to being sired by an unpopular stallion and being the first foal out of a Camelot mare.

Additionally, he appeared late in the sale. We had to strategise and decide who we could purchase him for. I suggested to Brian that if he seemed within reach, we should try to acquire him for the syndicate.

Our annual budget allows us to buy six horses with a total of £300,000, giving us an average of £50,000 per horse. When he appeared, we ended up surpassing that budget.

Despite this, we were impressed by his physical attributes, as he stood out from all the other Holy Romans I've seen in the last five years in terms of strength, depth, and balance.

He had a commanding presence, and I genuinely believed the Hong Kong Jockey Club would be interested in buying him. However, we took the chance and were thrilled to acquire him, which reinforced the importance of being present, closely following horses, and trusting our judgment and confidence.

Could you walk us through Rashabar's journey leading up to the Coventry Stakes and the key moments that shaped his success at Royal Ascot?

You really have to pay attention to the form of these 2YOs, especially with Royal Ascot approaching so quickly. Brian played a crucial role in this process. He immediately recognised that the Coventry was the ideal race for the horse. This insight came quite early, even before he had raced at Newbury.

We already knew he was promising and performed exceptionally well in training. He stood out among the speedy and sharp early types, both physically and in terms of his mentality. He effortlessly handled everything and showed an impressive mentality.

Furthermore, his pedigree suggested that he could handle longer distances. That's why Brian pinpointed the Coventry and suggested that we challenge him. We entered him in the Newbury race, which is always a strong maiden, and he performed admirably. After that, we aimed to find another race for him to win before heading to Coventry, where he was somewhat of a longshot.

Unfortunately, luck wasn't on our side at Chester as he had a wide draw and got off to a slow start. At Chester, being on the back foot from the start puts you at a disadvantage for the entire race.

Despite this, he finished remarkably well and came very close to the winner after having to maneuver around the field, posting the fastest furlong final time. Then, when he won the Woodcote Stakes, I gave an interview right before Royal Ascot. When asked about his chances, I mentioned that many might consider him a 25 to one shot, but I personally thought of him as a 10 to one shot. However, I didn't realise that he would actually be offered at 80 to one.

How does the syndicate model employed by Manton Thoroughbreds help create a more inclusive and rewarding ownership experience for members?

I guess our goal has always been to provide a personalised experience for each owner. Everyone is familiar with the fact that they have direct access to me. I make it a point to have regular conversations with the owners.

This partnership, Rashabar, is our ninth, and as we enter our 10th year, we launch a new one each year. We've had newcomers who have never owned a racehorse before. Therefore, we strive to keep things simple and ensure that everyone feels included, avoiding getting lost in racing terminology.

When it comes to our approach to the horses and our hospitality, we ensure that there's something for all the owners when they attend races.

We organise open days at the yard where people can visit and observe the horses at different stages, from when we initially acquire them to the middle and end of the season. This provides them with a sense of the horses' development throughout the season. Additionally, we take pride in our effective communication.

Brian effectively communicates the horses' development on race days through our active WhatsApp group, where all owners and their family members can join. We aim to create a sense of community and inclusivity. Word of mouth has brought new owners to us, allowing diverse individuals to enjoy the experience of being part of a team.

He's a strong supporter of our work. We have supporters in the United States and Australia who are deeply passionate about racing. With six horses, there are ample racing opportunities throughout the year, making this model particularly appealing to those who have a genuine love for the sport.

What are some of the challenges faced by 2YO horses like Rashabar when preparing for high-profile races like the Coventry Stakes?

I believe that soundness is crucial, and mental preparedness is equally important. Even at Ascot, where horses with immense potential compete, being mentally prepared is key. Ascot can be an overwhelming place, even the parade ground feels like an amphitheater.

For a young horse that may have previously won at a smaller track in front of a crowd of 1000 people, Ascot can be a different and daunting experience, potentially causing anxiety. I'm trying to paint a picture.

Could you shed some light on the decision-making process behind starting Manton Thoroughbreds and the vision you had in mind when founding the partnership with Brian Meehan?

Brian and I thoroughly evaluated the industry at that time and observed a decline in owner breeders in the yard despite promising numbers. Brian has always followed a model of purchasing horses and then selling them to trusted owners out of the yard. This model remains unchanged today. When I initially got involved, we began with small syndicates and soon realised that owners wanted more racing opportunities, which was challenging to provide with just one horse. This realisation led us to the decision to form syndicates of six, which seemed like a modest number at the time.

We anticipated that each horse would have an average of three to four runs per year, ensuring ample racing for all syndicate members. With an average price of US$50,000, we were the ones underwriting the venture. If no owners purchased shares, we would be responsible for covering the costs. However, this approach was manageable for us. With an average of $50,000, we were confident in our ability to acquire promising colts within budget by carefully researching and staying within our means at the sales.

I believe we've been consistent in achieving our goals every year. While there have been a few years that didn't go as planned, that's just how racing goes. Overall, our venture has been great and it's only improving with time.

When we started, I was 26 years old, which was quite young for the industry. It was a bold move for Brian to partner with a 26-year-old, but my lifelong exposure to racing added a level of maturity.

Our partnership continues to mature, with Brian and I understanding each other's strengths more deeply. This understanding is evident in the increasing quality of the horses we have worked with over the past five years.

How did the partnership between Manton Thoroughbreds and trainer Brian Meehan come about, and how has it contributed to the success of horses like Rashabar?

I devised a plan while living in Manton, where my brother was managing a syndicate running horses in their colours. When he decided to close the syndicate, I felt a strong desire to continue in a larger capacity. After crafting a business plan and presenting it to Brian, we enthusiastically embarked on this venture.

Our first year was a great success, with the sale of a horse, Christ Church, to Hong Kong and Smuggler's Moon winning at Newbury and then claiming a listed race at Epsom before being sold to Hong Kong.

This early success confirmed that our approach was effective, resulting in satisfied owners reinvesting. The second year brought another win with Barraquero claiming the Richmond Stakes, but we also faced two challenging years.

It was truly a 50-50 partnership between Brian and me, and we jointly handled all yearling purchases outside of Manton Thoroughbreds at that time.

Over the past 10 years, we have acquired many exceptional horses, both within and outside the partnership, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next decade.

In what ways do you see Rashabar's success at Royal Ascot impacting the future direction of Manton Thoroughbreds and the horses you choose to invest in?

I believe that after a success like that, many people tend to increase their budgets and raise their expectations.

Personally, I find that the current numbers are very manageable for investors. Doubling down may lead to unrealistic expectations, with some assuming that a larger budget guarantees a Royal Ascot winner every year.

The current model works well, and if there is enough demand, the potential for growth lies in running two syndicates simultaneously, resulting in 12 horses. However, I wouldn't change the structure significantly.

Considering the success Rashabar has achieved at such a young age, how does this reflect on the overall strategy and goals of Manton Thoroughbreds in terms of nurturing and developing young talent in the racing industry?

Brian plays a pivotal role in nurturing and developing two-year-olds. While I am involved in the selection process, once the horses leave the sales and the breakers and enter Brian's yard, it's primarily down to him and his exceptional team.

His track record with 2YOs speaks for itself, with numerous successes in prestigious races like the Prix Morny, which he has won twice, and the Richmond, which he has won three times. His expertise with 2YOs is a significant factor in the success of Manton Thoroughbreds in this area.

How does the legacy of your father, Robert Sangster, influence your approach to horse racing and the choices you make as a principal of Manton Thoroughbreds?

My father was very well known for being a humble guy, very generous with his time and a listener. I strive to embody these qualities in my role as principal of Manton Thoroughbreds and in all aspects of my life, passing on these values to my children as well.

I hope that my approachability is evident to my owners. Over the past 10 years, I have not encountered any conflicts or issues with any of my owners, which is something I take great pride in.

Looking ahead, what are the next steps for Rashabar in terms of his racing career and potential future appearances?

Brian has a strong interest in the Breeders Cup and has achieved significant success there. Considering the stamina in his lineage, particularly from being out of a Camelot mare, we believe that he will have no trouble handling the mile towards the end of the season.

Our plan is to keep him lightly raced until the Breeders Cup, with the Prix Morny being the obvious choice, especially as he is French-bred and is eligible for the bonuses.

Additionally, Brian has previously won the race twice, making him well-equipped to prepare the horse for such an event. This strategy fills us with confidence as we approach the upcoming races.

Lastly, can you share any memorable or defining moments from Rashabar's journey that stand out to you as particularly meaningful or inspiring?

Two weeks before Ascot, during his final grass workout, we had three established jumps jockeys join us, including well-known Brandon Powell. As Brandon worked with Rashabar, I could see his curiosity about the horse, especially knowing that Rashabar would be running in the Coventry Stakes the following week.

I observed the expressions of the jump jockeys as the three horses continued with their exercise. Rashabar stayed about three lengths behind them and effortlessly overtook them. As I watched Brandon's reaction, it was clear that we were in for an impressive performance.

That was the moment when my excitement peaked. He is a horse that will continue to progress. His mental maturity is akin to that of a four-year-old, and I believe he has a very promising future ahead of him.

As Rashabar's victory at Royal Ascot cemented its place in racing history, Sangster's remarks offer a glimpse into the triumphs and tribulations of his family's storied racing legacy. From the humble beginnings of Manton Thoroughbreds to the present day, Sam has been instrumental in nurturing and developing young talent in the industry. With a deep respect for his father's values and a commitment to his own unique approach, Sangster continues to chart a course for success at Manton Thoroughbreds. As he looks to the future, one thing is clear: the Sangster name will remain synonymous with excellence in racing for generations to come.