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| Staff Writer |
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Qatari trainer Hamad Al-Jehani is aiming for a significant handicap victory this month after securing his first win in Britain last weekend. Al-Jehani, who is based in Newmarket and trains a small number of horses for the Emir of Qatar's Wathnan Racing, celebrated his breakthrough with Make Me King in the 7f handicap at Newcastle.
Make Me King had previously performed well in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, ultimately finishing eighth. However, with a more patient ride, the 4YO, formerly trained by Andre Fabre, demonstrated resilience and delivered a noteworthy triumph for his trainer.
"I'm very glad for me and all my team to have my first winner [in Britain]," said Al-Jehani. "Make Me King shows a lot of ability in his work and I was happy to see him win nine days on from Royal Ascot.
"He's not a front-runner, like how we saw him at Royal Ascot, so James [Doyle] was patient on him and gave him time to be confident, and he showed a good turn of foot."
Make Me King was among the trio of runners for Al-Jehani at Royal Ascot. Among them, Haunted Dream achieved the best result, finishing as the runner-up to Group 2 winner Israr in the Listed Wolferton Stakes.
Haunted Dream performed impressively at the royal meeting and is now poised to participate in the John Smith's Cup at York on July 13.
"We did great at Royal Ascot and although unfortunately we didn't have the winners, Haunted Dream was second behind a nice horse in Israr," the trainer said.
"He's entered in the John Smith's Cup at York and the plan is to go there."
Al-Jehani has rapidly climbed the training ranks in Qatar and now manages a team of 80 horses in Doha.
Last season, he achieved the highest number of winners with a total of 58. Following his move to the lower yard of Tom Clover's Kremlin House Stables in Britain, which was arranged through a deal with Wathnan's racing adviser Richard Brown, Al-Jehani has fielded ten runners in the country.
"I'm very happy," said Al-Jehani. "Tom Clover is a really nice guy and I always thank him for his hospitality and it's great to be in a yard with such heritage."