James Doyle was unhappy with how his mount was moving on the way to the start.
Haatem seems to have avoided significant injury after his unexpected late withdrawal from the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday. Having won the Craven Stakes in his three-year-old debut, Richard Hannon's colt later secured a third-place finish in the 2000 Guineas and closely contested the Irish equivalent against his esteemed stablemate, Rosallion.
Following his acquisition by notable owners Wathnan Racing, Haatem celebrated a notable victory in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, raising expectations for his return to Group One competition in France. However, James Doyle expressed concerns regarding the horse's movement en route to the start, leading to the swift decision to declare the son of Phoenix Of Spain a non-runner.
Breaking: Haatem has been withdrawn from the Group 1 Jacques le Marois! pic.twitter.com/64PCwT6MJm
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 11, 2024
Following an initial X-ray that showed no abnormalities, Haatem has returned to Britain for further assessment, and there is optimism that no significant damage has occurred.
"He has traveled back successfully, and we were all eager to have him return as soon as possible," stated Richard Brown, the European racing adviser for Wathnan.
"We are conducting a thorough examination, and we expect to have more information within the next 24 to 48 hours. However, the preliminary signs suggest that it is not a serious issue.
"James mentioned that he took a few awkward steps and felt something was off, prompting him to stop immediately. We will evaluate the situation further in the coming days.
"We do not believe it to be a serious matter, but we will exercise all necessary precautions. "All plans are currently on hold."
