Tregoning hails Sheikh Hamdan’s ‘passion for racing’
Trainer remembers his great sense of humour too.
Trainer Marcus Tregoning recalled a man with a great “love for racing” and sense of humour as he led the tributes to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. The Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and owner of a string of Classic and Royal Ascot winners, has died at the age of 75. He was associated with a succession of the most famous racing figures of the past 30 years, both equine and human. Tregoning has known Sheikh Hamdan for even longer, having first met him as assistant to Dick Hern – trainer of 1989 Derby winner Nashwan, in his famous blue-and-white silks.“I’ve been associated with Sheikh Hamdan’s operation for over 40 years, and it’s been a great one for me,” said Tregoning. “Our association started in the early 1980s when Sheikh Hamdan bought Height Of Fashion from the Queen. “That was the start of the horses coming to West Ilsley, which was where Dick Hern was training.” Among those earliest arrivals were siblings Nashwan and multiple Group winner Unfuwain. From those days of “tremendous excitement” right up until the Sussex Stakes-winning campaign of Mohaather just last season, Tregoning has treasured Sheikh Hamdan’s company as well as his brilliant horses. “The early ones were Unfuwain and Nashwan – both out of Height Of Fashion,” he said. “It was a tremendous excitement getting those, and it snowballed from there. “We’ve had a long happy association, because we’ve had so many good ones. “Sheikh Hamdan’s enthusiasm for racing was such good fun. “Obviously, we’ll all miss him. It was just tremendous times we had, with all those good horses.” Tregoning, who went on to train a Derby winner, Sir Percy, in his own right for another owner Anthony Pakenham, credits Sheikh Hamdan for helping to underpin his career. “I was lucky enough to take over from Dick Hern when he retired – and in many ways, I suppose I wouldn’t have trained a Derby winner if I hadn’t had Sheikh Hamdan’s support,” he added. “He was always good fun, and loved it – he had great passion for racing. “Mubtaker was a very serious Group horse year after year after year, and still racing at the age of nine. “When he was second in the Arc to Dalakhani, it was like he’d won the Arc for Sheikh Hamdan – he was so proud of him. He came up and stroked him, and it was extraordinary.” The same qualities were apparent on gallop visits too. Tregoning added: “A couple of years ago he was here with me at Whitsbury, having the usual banter and usual fun – and loving seeing all his horses. “What a lot of people didn’t see, which I was very lucky to see, was his sense of humour. “He had a great love, a passion for racing, and he loved talking about the horses and looking at them and talking about their pedigree, their temperaments – and what they might do. “I have to say he was very easy to train for, because generally speaking he’d leave most of it to me. “But obviously he had tremendous input too, and it was just always good fun.” Tregoning also remembers his pre-eminent owner also offering to help out with a less glamorous task too. “He had this great sense of humour,” he said. “When he came to see me last time, which is now a couple of years ago, I had a real clapped-out Range Rover – which I’ve still got to this day. “As we were leaving to go back to his helicopter, the Range Rover wouldn’t start – and he said to me ‘Marcus, shall I get out and push?’. “The fun was always there. He was always laughing, and a great guy to train for. “We send out all our thoughts to his family. It’s a huge loss. “It’s a big blow to racing in general, because his operation is huge.” Kevin Prendergast’s association with Sheikh Hamdan also stretches back to the late 1980s, with Tanwi giving them an early big-race winner in the Group Three Leopardstown Stakes in 1989. Awtaad, the Irish 2,000 Guineas victor, and Madhmoon, runner-up in the Derby in 2019, were more recent class horses the County Kildare trainer had for him. “It’s very sad news,” said Prendergast. “He was with me for more than 30 years. He was a great man, a great owner -and he will be sadly missed by all. “I think I trained the last winner for him – Alhaazm on Friday night (at Dundalk). “I won the Irish 2,000 Guineas for him with Awtaad in 2016 and I was second in the Derby for him two years ago (with Madhmoon). “They were two highlights, but I had an awful lot of luck for him over the period of time he was with me, and I found him nothing but a gentleman and very loyal owner.”
Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Ramatuelle ruled out of Breeders’ Cup Mile bid
French ace scratched from Del Mar contest following veterinary advice.
-
Horse Racing
Yahagi has every faith Forever Young is ready for Classic battle
‘Perfect preparation’ for Kentucky Derby third heading into City Of Troy clash.
-
Exciting times as Brighterdaysahead starts off at Down Royal
‘One step at a time’ for Grade One-winning mare, who was expected to go chasing this season.
-
Joseph O’Brien expecting Classic show from ‘right type’ Troy
But Kieren Fallon sounding note of caution ahead of Del Mar blockbuster.
-
Grand Sefton not on the agenda for Minella Drama
Donald McCain happy to wait for other targets with Old Roan winner.
-
Eydon back on familiar ground at Newmarket this weekend
High-class five-year-old was fourth in the 2000 Guineas two years ago.
-
Charlie Appleby launching dual assault on Juvenile Turf
Aomori City and Al Qudra chasing Breeders’ Cup gold at Del Mar.
-
Wathnan juveniles all set for Breeders’ Cup battle
And Mick Appleby hunting race repeat, this time with Big Mojo.
-
‘It will be great if he could win’ – Bin Suroor rooting for City Of Troy
Godolphin trainer knows what it is like to come close to Breeders’ Cup Classic glory.
-
Hobson ‘can’t wait’ to unleash Fugitif at Cheltenham
Paddy Power Gold Cup again the aim for Prestbury Park fan.