Hamad Al-Jehani Makes His Mark In Racing With A New Chapter In Europe

A former member of Qatar's national junior show jumping team, he grew up around the world of horse racing and brings passion and expertise to every aspect of his work. As he continues to split his time between Qatar and the UK, Al-Jehani will be based at Tom Clover's prestigious Kremlin House Stables, a renowned training facility in Newmarket.

With Haunted Dream, a talented grey gelding with a rich pedigree tracing back to Oasis Dream, Al-Jehani has already made a notable impact on the racing circuit. This impressive performer has shown his mettle with a decisive win on his first outing in December and a commendable fourth-place finish in the Epsom handicap. His recent second-place finish in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot was particularly impressive, demonstrating Haunted Dream's resilience and potential.

As we delve into the stories behind Haunted Dream, Beshtani, and Make Me King, we explore the plans for these horses and the future of Wathnan Racing. With Haunted Dream set to target the John Smith's Cup at York on July 13th, and Beshtani and Make Me King preparing for upcoming races, we gain insight into Al-Jehani's training philosophy and goals.

The latest achievement saw the Qatari handler being delighted to secure his first winner in Britain as Make Me King outclassed his rivals in a Class 2 Handicap at Newcastle.

We also hear about his experiences working with horses in the UK and his thoughts on settling into his new base at Kremlin House Stables.

Haunted Dream really did well, what do you think about his race?

I was delighted with HAUNTED DREAM’s performance at Royal Ascot. I was keen to put him in a listed race rather than a handicap and him finishing second was a great result. I felt less pressure going into the race as he was not the favourite in the betting; he was beaten by a very nice horse called ISRAR owned by Shadwell (Sheikha Hissa). ISRAR is a regally bred colt out of champion race mare TAGHROODA who won a Group 2 last summer. They were running off level weights in the Wolferton so for HAUNTED DREAM to finish second to him was a brilliant result.

Could you describe Haunted Dream’s running style and how it played to his advantage in the Wolferton Stakes?

There is nothing unique about his running style, but he is an especially tough horse who always tries hard. He is most comfortable being ridden handy in the middle of the field and stays on well over the 1m 2f trip at Ascot.

What is the plan for him next?

I am delighted that he has come out of his race at Ascot fresh and well. His next race target is the John Smith’s Cup at York on 13th July. There will be a maximum field of 22 runners for the race but he should go there with a very good chance. The race carries a prize pot of £200,000 and is one of the top handicaps of the British summer racing season.

What attributes do you believe his sire Oasis Dream has passed down to him that make him such a talented performer?

Oasis Dream was a tough and sound horse; HAUNTED DREAM has certainly inherited this.

Beshtani and Make Me King ran well too. What next for them?

Unfortunately, BESHTANI didn’t handle the fast ground at Royal Ascot; however, I was very pleased with his run on his previous start when he was beaten by a nose on Oaks Day at Epsom. Hopefully, he can return to this level of form once we find him a race on softer ground. We will focus on the Pomfret Stakes, a Listed race at Pontefract, but we will divert elsewhere should the conditions be too dry.

Make Me King ran a pleasing race at Ascot only beaten 7 lengths by a potential group horse. He came out of the race in great form and went on to win a Class 2 handicap impressively on Saturday after a quick turnaround. This was a hugely proud moment as he was my first winner in England. I was very pleased that the Wathnan Racing Manager Ali Al-kubaisi was also with us to see the race.

What are Wathnan Racing's plans or 'big goals' for 2024? What races are you hoping to target? Which horses are being targeted for this?

The general goals and planning for the future of Wathnan are down to the Emir and his team; however, it is clear they have quickly become exceptionally passionate and enthusiastic supporters of the sport in a short space of time. Richard Brown (British Bloodstock agent for Wathnan) has done an incredible job in purchasing four Royal Ascot winners this year and I am sure he will have his eye on a select few talented horses with the Qatar Goodwood Festival in mind.

Have you purchased any nice horses so far this summer? What sales are you planning to attend over the summer?

Wathnan have kindly allocated me a very nice colt that was purchased at the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze Up Sale. He is by TOO DARN HOT out of 5-time winner and listed placed mare called TEARS OF THE SUN. He has settled in well to training and I am looking forward to progressing with him.

I plan to attend the Tattersalls July sale in Newmarket which is Europe’s premier midsummer sale. We will be looking at potential horses who would suit the racing in England but also have a good profile to go back to race in Qatar.

Who inspires you?

I am always open to improving my training methods and there are many people in the industry I admire. If I had to name someone, I would say John Gosden for his excellent communication and mannerisms when speaking to the media, along with being an excellent trainer.

Are you settling well into Kremlin House Stable? What challenges have you faced thus far?

The horses have settled in very well to the prestigious stable at Kremlin House. The stables have housed many group winners in the past for Michael Jarvis, Roger Varian and John Gosden; I hope one day my team and I can add to the list. It is a peaceful setting with easy access to the fantastic facilities the Jockey Club provide on Newmarket Heath. I am grateful to Tom Clover and the Jarvis family for making us feel so welcome.

The challenge for me is to understand all the different tracks and options available in the training ground. There are many gallops which suit horses differently and I am learning which are best suited to each of my horse's needs. I am lucky to have a good team in place here, headed by Tommy Allen who knows the training grounds well.

Is training in the UK different to training in the GCC?

Yes, the training here is very different from back home in Qatar. As I mentioned, the training tracks are different, and I need to keep the horse’s fitter with fast work in between races. I have already learnt a lot and I hope I can make my mark here to challenge the best trainers in Europe. It is an incredible opportunity and I am very grateful to Wathnan for their backing.

With a clear vision for his future and a commitment to excellence, Al-Jehani is poised to make a lasting impact on the racing circuit. His unique blend of experience, a keen eye for talent, and deep understanding of horse training ensure that he will continue to thrive and contribute to the legacy of Wathnan Racing and the broader equestrian community.