Top-class six-year-old in the hunt for major autumn prizes.
Owen Burrows' six-year-old star, Anmaat, is set to return to the Prix Dollar at Longchamp after skipping the Irish Champion Stakes. The Shadwell-owned gelding, who made an impressive return from a 439-day layoff to win the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock in August, is now focusing on another trip to Paris in October.
Anmaat’s career already boasts significant wins, including the 2022 Prix Dollar, Group One Prix d'Ispahan, and another Rose of Lancaster victory. Burrows and his team opted for the familiar Group Two race at Longchamp rather than throwing him into the deep end at the Irish Champion Stakes, viewing the latter as too steep a challenge after his recent return.
“Anmaat's going to the Prix Dollar on Arc weekend, and if all goes well, we’ll look at the Champion Stakes a few weeks later,” Burrows explained. "We felt the Irish Champion would have been throwing him to the wolves a little bit. He’s a Group One winner already, but we liked the idea of giving him the Group Two race, and then all being well, he could back it up two weeks later."
Burrows is cautiously optimistic about Anmaat’s current form. “We’re pleased with how he is, he’s in a really good place. Fingers crossed he stays there for the next two weeks.”
If all goes according to plan in Paris, Anmaat could head to Qipco British Champions Day in October to contest the Champion Stakes, rounding out what has already been a successful season following his remarkable comeback.
