Shadwell gelding blew away the cobwebs to prevail in Rose of Lancaster at Haydock.
Anmaat’s Triumphant Return at Haydock Sparks Ambitious Plans for Future Glory
In a dramatic comeback that had racing enthusiasts on the edge of their seats, Anmaat, the Shadwell-owned gelding, marked his return to the track with a thrilling victory in the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock. This win, following a lengthy 439-day absence due to injury, has reignited excitement within his camp, with ambitious plans now in motion for his future.
Anmaat has always been a horse of immense potential, steadily climbing the ranks through a series of valuable handicaps before securing his first Group Three victory in the Rose of Lancaster Stakes back in 2022. That triumph set the stage for greater achievements, as he immediately stepped up to Group Two level, capping off the season with a memorable win in the Prix Dollar at ParisLongchamp. That victory, achieved on testing ground, proved that Anmaat was not only talented but versatile as well.
The 2023 season saw Anmaat return to action with a stellar performance in the Gordon Richards Stakes, where he was narrowly beaten by none other than Derby hero Adayar. Not one to rest on his laurels, Anmaat went on to break new ground by landing his first Group One title in the Prix d'Ispahan in May. However, this outstanding achievement would be his last race of 2023, as injury sidelined him for over a year, casting uncertainty over his future.
That uncertainty was laid to rest this past weekend as Anmaat made a triumphant return in the Rose of Lancaster Stakes, the very race that had once served as his springboard to higher honors. With Jim Crowley in the saddle, Anmaat started as the 8-11 favorite and, despite the long layoff, displayed his class and determination by prevailing by a neck over Jack Channon’s Certain Lad.
Speaking after the race, trainer Owen Burrows expressed his relief and satisfaction at seeing Anmaat back to his winning ways. "He seems fine after Saturday, and that was the most important thing to us, that he's come out of it well," Burrows said. "It was very pleasing to get him back on the track – and for him to be able to win was great."
The victory was not only a testament to Anmaat’s resilience but also to the careful management by his team. Burrows revealed that he had initially considered targeting the York Stakes, a race won by Alflaila, but ultimately decided to opt for the Rose of Lancaster, a decision that proved to be perfectly timed. "I had half earmarked the race Alflaila won at York for him, but that was just going to come a few weeks too soon," Burrows explained. "He'd won the Rose of Lancaster before, and with Alflaila winning the York race, it's actually worked out perfectly."
Now that Anmaat has blown away the cobwebs, the focus shifts to the future, with Burrows keen to see how his star performer progresses in the coming weeks. "He took a run last year; he was second to Adayar in the rearranged Gordon Richards, and he took a big step forward," Burrows noted. "I'd like to think he would be similar this time. We were fortunate that there was no Adayar to contend with, and we were good enough to get away with it."
As for what’s next, the options are plentiful but require careful consideration. Anmaat holds an entry for the Irish Champion Stakes, but Burrows cautioned against rushing him back into top-level competition too quickly. "He's got an Irish Champion Stakes entry, not to say that will come too soon, but we might not want to put him straight into something like that," he said.
The British Champions Day at Ascot in October also looms large on the horizon, with Burrows noting that Anmaat has already proven his ability to handle soft ground. However, before any decisions are made, Burrows plans to consult with Sheikha Hissa, Angus Gold, and Richard Hills to devise the best possible strategy for their prized gelding.
"We'll just let the dust settle," Burrows concluded. "I'll speak to Sheikha Hissa, Angus, and Richard, and we'll make a bit of a plan."
As the racing world watches with bated breath, one thing is clear: Anmaat is back, and the sky’s the limit for this remarkable horse. His journey from injury to potential Classic contender is a testament to his talent, determination, and the unwavering belief of those who guide his career.
