The Strikin Viking finished runn-up at the Curragh last time out © Photo Healy Racing
It could be a huge afternoon in the training career of Hamad Al-Jehani as he prepares to saddle The Strikin Viking for the first time in the Markel Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.
A leading trainer in his native Qatar, he has previously won both the Qatar Guineas and Derby in his homeland before setting up a satellite operation in Newmarket to train for leading owners Wathnan Racing.
Keen to provide Al-Jehani with extra firepower during his time in the UK, he has been chosen by Wathnan to oversee the training of their latest signing – the exciting colt named after Manchester City star Erling Haaland.
After making a fine introduction at York, he ran a big race when upped to Group Two company for the Curragh’s Railway Stakes, agonisingly headed late in the day.
The son of Inns Of Court now dons the peacock blue and old gold silks of Wathnan for the first time, with his new connections pleased with what they have seen so far.
“Hamad is very happy with him and he did a nice piece of work on the Limekilns last week,” said Richard Brown, European racing adviser for the owners.
“He has settled into his new routine really well and has a great temperament. He’s a big, imposing colt and it’s not just about this year with him.
“He was on our radar after he won at York and I thought he was impressive at the Curragh. He’s a thoroughly likeable colt with a big engine and he gave James (Doyle) a great feel last week.
“We’re looking forward to running him in Wathnan’s colours for Hamad. It’s a big day for Hamad, but the horse is in great shape and hopefully he can put up a good showing.
“It’s a very prestigious meeting and a prestigious two-year-old race and it’s exciting to have a colt going there with a good chance.”
Although still a maiden, Andrew Balding’s Tropical Storm could be the one to pose The Strikin Viking the most problems.
He chased home another of Wathnan’s high-ranking two-year-olds when second to Shareholder in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and now steps up to six furlongs on the advice of Oisin Murphy.
“It was a great run in the Norfolk and he was caught a little wide on the wing and was a bit lonely, but he put his head down and kept on it really well,” said Richard Ryan, racing manager for owners Teme Valley Racing.
“Oisin has ridden him on two occasions and on both occasions fed back to us he was keen to ride him over six furlongs, so it looked a logical race for him based on rider comments and he’s trained really well leading up to it.
“He’s got a very good mind, he’s strong and has an admirable attitude and hopefully those attributes will be useful at Goodwood.”
Billboard Star has improved markedly since a gallant third over course and distance on debut, shedding his maiden status on Newmarket’s July course before returning to finish runner-up to Whistlejacket in the July Stakes.
“He’s a lovely horse and it wasn’t a surprise he ran really well in the July Stakes,” said trainer Eve Johnson Houghton.
“I think he’ll go close in the Richmond. He’s run at Goodwood before, so we know he handles the track and we’re very hopeful.”
Paul and Oliver Cole won this with Royal Scotsman two years ago and will saddle King Of Bears, who stepped up on his first start to win in good style at Newbury second time around.
The Waco Kid, who was back in fourth behind King Of Bears on that occasion, has also gone on to score at the Berkshire track and represents Hugo Palmer and Ryan Moore.
Michael O’Callaghan’s Irish raider Black Forza and Clive Cox’s Windsor maiden scorer Aparajeo are other winners in the field, with Alice Haynes’ Listed-placed Big Cyril and Ed Bethell’s Intrusively completing the line-up.
