One of the unluckiest of top-class horses finally gained his Group One reward when Mukhadram slipped away from his opponents in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Trainer William Haggas could not hide his delight after the five-year-old’s career-defining moment after near misses in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Dubai World Cup and the 2013 Eclipse when he was hampered by the ultimately successful Al Kazeem.
Mukhadram often attempts to dominate from the outset, but on Saturday he had Somewhat to carry out the leg-work for him.
Paul Hanagan found the race unfolding perfectly as he kicked clear with more than two furlongs (400m) remaining and still retained a two length advantage over Trading Leather by the post.
With rain falling earlier in the afternoon, it proved a little too wet for 5-2 favourite The Fugue, who ran sixth.
Haggas wants to make Mukhadram into a blue-chip stallion prospect for owner-breeder Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to bits, he so deserves to win a good race,” Haggas said.
“He was unlucky last year, he probably wasn’t the winner, but the winner lay over him and it cost him second.
“He has stamina in his pedigree, he’s a resolute galloper, and I’d like to ask Sheikh Hamdan if I can run him in the King George.
“It’s three weeks away, and we’ll enjoy the moment first.
“I have always wanted to have a go at the King George, I thought if he was going to improve a bit it would be at a mile and a half (2400m).
Jim Bolger was pleased with the run of last year’s Irish Derby winner Trading Leather after he was beaten in a messy affair at the Newmarket Guineas meeting. The first two could now meet again at Ascot.
“I’m delighted with his effort after the Newmarket debacle,” he said.
“We’ll look at the King George and later on the Arc and the Irish Champion Stakes.”
The Fugue’s rider William Buick said the ground conditions were squarely to blame for her effort.
“The ground has become loose and she doesn’t like it, simple as that,” Buick said.
