Blow To Varian as Sheikh Al Maktoum Ends Support

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The 2024 campaign has had its highlights for the Newmarket yard of Roger Varian, with the Group 1 triumph of Charyn in the Queen Anne Stakes and Elmalka’s 1,000 Guineas victory the pick of nine wins at Listed level or above. Throw in a big handicap success in the John Smith’s Cup, and the Varian operation has amassed over £2.3m in total prize money – a successful season by most standards.

Away from the big race wins, this has been a challenging year for the 45-year-old. Stable star King Of Steel has missed the season through injury, and back in May, powerful owner Kia Joorabchian removed his horses from the yard. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of it for Varian, who received another significant blow this week.

Al Maktoum Calls Time on Nine-Year Association

When thinking of Roger Varian’s most famous successes, the yellow silks with black spots of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum are the colours which most immediately spring to mind. Carried by Coronation Cup and Hardwicke Stakes hero Defoe, Juddmonte International, Dubai Sheema Classic, and Coronation Cup champ Postponed, among others, the Varian/Al Maktoum partnership has combined to great effect on the biggest stages.

No doubt Varian and Al Maktoum will enter the winner’s enclosure on many occasions to come, but it won’t be together. Recent seasons have witnessed the Sheikh increasingly calling upon the services of Karl Burke, Kevin Ryan and Richard Hannon, and this week brought the announcement that the final 10 Al Maktoum-owned runners in the Varian yard would continue racing elsewhere.

Exactly where these horses end up remains to be seen, but with Hannon winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes with Rosallion, Ryan claiming the Commonwealth Cup with Inisherin, and Burke landing six contests at Listed level or above, it seems reasonable to assume that trio are the most likely candidates.

Whilst no doubt a disappointing blow for the yard, Varian issued a typically classy statement in the wake of the announcement, saying “I would like to convey my sincere thanks to Sheikh Obaid for all the opportunities that he has given me over the last nine years. Together we have had a long and fruitful association, enjoying many wonderful days in Britain – not least at Royal Ascot – and overseas, including seven Group 1s.”

The Ten Seeking Pastures New

Given the Group 1 success of previous seasons, the current crop of Al Maktoum runners in the Varian yard were yet to live up to the standards set by their predecessors. Nevertheless, the following 10 will be missed by Varian and his staff.

  • Boiling Point – Son of Too Darn Hot who landed the Listed King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket in 2024.
  • Botanical – Three-time winner for Varian, whose final start for the yard saw him finish second in the John Smith’s Cup off a mark of 107.
  • Esprit Queen – Promising Invincible Spirit filly who finished second in a Pontefract Novice event on her only start for the yard.
  • Glam De Vega – By Lope De Vega and out of a Listed winning mare, this chestnut was a perfect two from two as a three-year-old but missed all of 2023 through injury. Yet to rediscover his form in 2024.
  • Gracious Leader – Nicely bred sort (by Siyouni and out of the Group 3 winning mare Dame Du Roi), but disappointing so far with only a Class 6 handicap win to his name.
  • Kinako Mochi – Three-year-old who has shown signs of ability in all three starts and broke her duck last time out at Yarmouth.
  • Matsuri – Undoubtedly the biggest blow is the loss of this Sea The Stars colt, who followed up an eight-length romp at Leicester with a close fourth in the Irish Derby.
  • Megaphone – Once raced son of Kodiac who finished five and a half lengths adrift of subsequent Group 2 winner Ancient Truth on his sole start at Newmarket.
  • Style King – Son of Dandy Man who showed very little in three starts in Maiden/Novice company. Heads elsewhere following a gelding operation.
  • Warm Spell – Juvenile Novice winner but injury hit since. Showed some encouraging signs on his final outing for Varian at Chester, but handicaps appear to be his limit.