Group double for Kingman on Saturday

Kingman had two new Group winners on Saturday, with four-year-old colts Quddwah and Alsakib winning the Gr.2 Summer Miles Stakes and Gr.3 Silver Cup Stakes respectively.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News and European Bloodstock News, 14th July 2024:

Maintaining his unbeaten record in straightforward fashion, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Quddwah registered a career-best on Saturday in Ascot's Gr.2 Summer Mile. Held back from the Royal meeting with an abnormal blood count having won the Listed Paradise Stakes in May, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained homebred travelled sweetly tracking the leaders on this return. Committed by Callum Shepherd passing two out, the 5-4 favourite had a comfortable half-length margin to spare over Ancient Rome at the line.

Where Quddwah's limit is remains hard to quantify, with two novice wins at Salisbury and Newmarket behind him last spring alongside his two blacktype successes this term. As a son of the Gr.1 Dubai Duty Free, Gr.1 Jebel Hatta, Gr.2 Balanchine and Gr.2 Cape Verdi winner Sajjhaa with considerable size and scope, he could yet make into a genuine Group 1 horse and connections are understandably keen to try him at that level.

"He never does much in front and is still a bit immature, but he's learning to race now and he's got tons of ability," Ed Crisford said. "He travels extremely well and put the race to bed pretty quickly really and was always doing enough in front, even though he idles a bit. I think there's plenty more to come; he's unbeaten, he's only had four runs in his life and I think a stronger pace will suit him. We'll have to see what Sheikh Ahmed wants, but he's in the Prix Jacques le Marois as well as the Sussex and that is an option."

Just over an hour later, Alsakib triumphed in the Gr.3 Silver Cup at York, his first blacktype success and Kingman's 50th individual Pattern-race winner. Ridden towards the back of the eight-runner field, the Andrew Balding-trained four-year-old was one of the first off the bridle and only had one horse behind him when the field swung for home. However, he absolutely relished the good to soft ground and found plenty for pressure in the straight, grinding his way to the lead a furlong out and then determinedly holding off Al Qareem and Wise Eaglein a tight finish.