Top-class six-year-old in the hunt for major autumn prizes.
Owen Burrows' star horse, Anmaat, has his sights set on the Prix Dollar following a strategic decision to bypass the Irish Champion Stakes this weekend.
The six-year-old made a successful return to the racetrack after a lengthy absence of 439 days, clinching the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock in early August. This comeback was particularly impressive given the duration of his layoff and showcased his evident talent.
Anmaat’s impressive resume includes previous victories in the Rose of Lancaster, and the Group One Prix d'Ispahan, and he is also the reigning champion of the Prix Dollar from 2022.
With the upcoming race at Longchamp in October now firmly on the agenda, connections felt it was wise to forgo the more challenging Irish Champion Stakes in favour of a return trip to Paris.
"Anmaat's going to go to the Prix Dollar on Arc weekend," Burrows confirmed. "That’s the plan for him, and if everything goes well, he could target the Champion Stakes at Qipco British Champions Day a few weeks later."
The decision to skip the Irish Champion Stakes was made with caution, as 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 preferred the idea of giving him the opportunity in the Group Two race first, and then, all being well, he could back it up two weeks later."
Burrows expressed satisfaction with Anmaat’s current condition, stating, "We're pleased with how he is; he's in a really good place. Fingers crossed he can stay there for the next two weeks and go into the race in the form he’s in at the moment."
