3 minute read

Richard Hannon’s Haatem recorded the biggest success of his career to date when landing the Group 2 Nicholson Gin Vintage Stakes at Goodwood this afternoon.

The son of Phoenix Of Spain bumped into the dual Classic favourite City Of Troy when a well-beaten runner-up in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket (July) last time, but had no such issues amongst easier company this time around.

Haatem was always in touch with his rivals and kept on well in the closing stages towards the middle of the track to score comfortably by a length at the line. The Charlie Hills-trained Newbury debut winner Iberian (10/3) ran on strongly to grab the second spot but was always struggling to reel in the well-backed 9/4 market leader.

The winning trainer Richard Hannon, who was enjoying his first win in the contest that his father won five times, said: "I'm very pleased. He's a lovely horse and he deserved that after running so well in the Coventry and the Superlative. He was very unlucky in the Woodcote, he did [fluff that start that day] and he didn't get any luck on the inside – that was a hard day, I thought 'it's all going wrong'. But days like today, you realise you get your luck back."

On his thoughts coming into this race, Hannon said: "I thought this was his day and could be his Derby, but he will get better as the year goes on and he is a horse big enough for next year. He's not about being a two-year-old, he ran here the first time, and he has improved all year. He is a Group 2 winner now, so obviously we will have to look at Group Ones, but he is getting better.

"He has to improve to take on the real big guys, but he is doing that with every run."

On how Haatem compares with Rosallion, Hannon added: "This horse [Haatem] has won a very good race today, and Rosallion might be the best we've had for years. But this fellow is a quiet achiever and gets better every day.

"Rosallion looks very much out of the ordinary and he has always worked like that, and he won like that. This lad [Haatem], he's your mate, tries hard every day and gets better."

Speaking with ITV Racing, jockey Sean Levey said: "On paper, he deserved to win this. He ran into an exceptional horse [City Of Troy] of Mr O'Brien's last time out in the Superlative Stakes and his form stood out today. I would have been disappointed if he did get beaten.

"He's a big horse with plenty of scope and he will keep improving. It's a sharp track here and as much as he has a classy way of travelling, I did feel he was a bit workmanlike through the line and he gave the impression that going up to a mile might get a little bit more out of him. He doesn't have anything else to prove this year, but we'll proceed with time in mind.

"I thought City Of Troy was exceptional with no chink in his armour, but this lad has so much improvement in him."

He added: "He definitely deserves that. For a big horse, he hasn't missed any dances and he's been unlucky to run into a couple of exceptional horses without getting his head in front.

"I think missing the break at Epsom was just a blip. Epsom is Epsom - it's a funny start at the top of the hill there, and he'd gone there with little experience. I think it was just one of those things. Maybe a few things got to him on the day - it was definitely out of character because he's very straightforward.

"He's definitely a horse you'd side with. I think the handicapper has him bang on and off that mark and with the scope he has, there's no doubt that with every month he can improve. With a winter on him, he could be anything next year. He'll no doubt improve through the winter. He's one of those - you'd mistake him for one of the older handicappers in the yard, day to day. You'd be looking forward to what's going to happen to him over the winter."

Paddy Power introduced Haatem at 66/1 for next season's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.