Hamad Al-Jehani’s juvenile has scored at Newmarket and Haydock.
The unbeaten son of Too Darn Hot, Defence Minister, has been supplemented into the Dubai Duty-Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, a big step up for the emerging colt. Trained by Qatari newcomer Hamad Al-Jehani, the Defence Minister runs tomorrow at Newbury in the Group Two contest with an untarnished record from two starts, winning at Newmarket and Haydock. The three-year-old initially caught the eye when breaking his maiden at Newmarket in style, then confidently defying a penalty at Haydock to make it two wins from two starts.
His performance has drawn much praise on these pages, all the more so given the relative inexperience of his trainer, who is taking up the mantel of building a reputation going steadily about his business in the competitive European circuit. Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing, said, "He's still quite green for a breeze-up horse, and I believe there's much more to come. His run at Haydock showed that he's progressing well. He defied the penalty with real authority, and I think he had plenty left in the tank as he crossed the line."
Despite a bright start, the Defence Minister faces a stern test when he lines up for the Mill Reef Stakes on Saturday. Cool Hoof Luke, winner of the Gimcrack Stakes, sets a benchmark, having already delivered Group Two form, while Aidan O'Brien's Ides of March took the Round Tower Stakes. And with the depth of field—fully ten horses arriving one day, six of which were chasing the five-furlong listed Umm Qarn Hurdle—it will be interesting to see if this can get the Defence Minister through to the latter stages of the meeting.
Hamad Al-Jehani knows his horses inside out, which is not surprising. As a trainer, he oversees only a minuscule string of 10 horses in his yard, but among them is the Defence Minister, who is enjoying a simply stellar season. Indeed, his success has been widely acclaimed within the racing community, as many recognize the results he achieved in a relatively short period. Brown commended Al-Jehani's efforts and particularly underlined the trainer's rapid adaptation to European racing. "Hamad has done a tremendous job.". Coming from Qatar and learning the intricacies of the gallops here is no small feat, but he's put together a great team around him, and they're all doing a fantastic job," Brown added.
Next up for Al-Jehani is another burgeoning star in the box: Diego Ventura. That colt was an extremely impressive winner on his debut for Al-Jehani when scoring in the Maimonides Ascot Stakes, following a victorious racecourse debut at Naas, where he proved too strong for Magnum Force from Ger Lyons's yard. Brown is bullish about the colt, given that he was proving adaptable, especially for a performance at Ascot, but nothing has been decided for his next appearance. Diego Ventura impressed me at Ascot, Brown said. "A lot went wrong during that race, but he still managed to win, which says a great deal for his ability." The connections are still debating their options for him, and Brown will be getting together with owner Hamad Al Kitbi to discuss a plan for his future.
As the Defence Minister prepares for his toughest test, things are shaping up to be an exciting contest in a stiff competition at the Mill Reef Stakes. For Al-Jehani, it is another occasion to tap the growing talent in his stable as a trainer and establish himself in the European racing scene. The racing enthusiasts will be watching out for the appearance of the Defence Minister to see if he can uphold his unbeaten record and carve his mark in the vaunted Group Two race.
