The legendary Sir Michael Stoute turns 75 today and what better way to celebrate than with a winner! He has just one runner out today and it runs in the 6.15pm at Wolverhampton this evening.
Running in the famous colours of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, his only runner today is MARDOOF. This is a colt with a serious pedigree, by Irish 2000 Guineas winner Awtaad.
It has been an extremely successful season for the owner who is undoubtedly a huge contributor to British horse racing. At first glance, it is a surprise to see him trading at his current odds of 20/1.
Only four of the eleven runners in the field have seen a racecourse yet. Experience can be a huge advantage in a race of this nature. It will be a major surprise if Mardoof didn’t leave his debut run well behind him tonight.
His debut was at Kempton last month and he was clearly just out for some experience. Slowly away, he was rushed up to chase the leaders, was ridden too aggressively and naturally faded away two furlongs out.
There is no doubt that the horse will strip much fitter today and with the cobwebs blown away, we’ll see a big run tonight hopefully. Sheikh Hamdan also runs Hasanaat in the race for trainer Owen Burrows, another runner with experience.
Jim Crowley rides the Burrows runner which some might say is a negative for people who want to back Sir Michael’s horse. Jim has first pick on all of the Sheikh Hamdan runners and has picked the other one. That isn’t to say he has got it right, of course.
As the great man celebrates his 75th birthday, we found it fascinating that he just saddles one runner across the UK today. Let’s hope the legend can round off today with a whisky and a winner.