The Coolmore and Godolphin juggernauts continue to tower over the British flat racing scene, claiming all four Classics between them so far in 2025. However, beneath the Aidan O’Brien and Charlie Appleby-fronted operations, new names are threatening to shake up the established order – none more so than Wathnan Racing.
The venture of The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, burst onto the British racing scene in 2023 and has made their presence felt in double quick time. In less than three seasons, Wathnan Racing have compiled a list of results many owners can only dream of. Labelled an emerging force almost from the moment their first runner went under starter’s orders, they have already moved past that “emerging” tag.
Wathan Racing are a very real threat to the biggest names on the biggest stages racing has to offer. Hot on the heels of their best ever Royal Ascot Festival, Wathnan have the Qatar Goodwood Festival firmly in their sights.
Five Star Royal Meeting
Wathnan made their first Royal Ascot appearance in 2023 when striking a double blow in the staying events of the Queen’s Vase and Gold Cup. Returning in 2024, they added the Buckingham Palace Stakes, Jersey Stakes, Norfolk Stakes and Queen Mary Stakes to their Royal collection.
Four winners represents a fine total for any owner at one of the classiest, most competitive meetings of the season. In 2025, Wathnan trumped even that haul, with the following five stars all making their way to the Ascot winners’ enclosure.
- French Master – Copper Horse Stakes
- Lazzat – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
- Humidity – Chesham Stakes
- Crimson Advocate – Duke Of Cambridge Stakes
- Haatem – Wolferton Stakes
No owner picked up more wins at Royal Ascot 2025. Coolmore matched that tally and picked up the leading owner award as a result of more second-place finishers over the five days.
Next Stop Goodwood
Following their success at Royal Ascot in their debut year, Wathnan Racing was surprisingly not represented at the 2023 Qatar Goodwood Festival. However, the operation made no mistake on their debut appearance in 2024.
A battling performance from French Duke who takes the @Coral Daily Rewards Shaker Handicap under a strong ride from @the_doyler for the @varianstable yard! pic.twitter.com/oPhaMDQxNt
— Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) July 31, 2024
At the end of the five-day fixture, four Goodwood gongs adorned the Wathnan Trophy cabinet courtesy of French Duke (Coral Daily Rewards Shaker Handicap), Haunted Dream (Bentinck Conditions Stakes), and Artagnan (Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap). Not the highest profile contests to win at the meeting, but three winners, nonetheless.
Fast forward to 2025, and Wathnan will no doubt hope to at least match the tally of 2024 and secure at least one of the higher-class events. Looking at their potential team, they have every chance of doing just that. Less than two weeks before the meeting kicks off on Tuesday, 29 July, Wathnan have a massive 41 entries across the five days.
Of course, not all will line up in their respective engagements, but it seems safe to assume a significant team presence in Sussex as July turns to August. If Wathnan are to better their 2024 winning total, the market suggests the following quintet are the most likely to strike.
Scenic
Snapped up by Wathnan Racing in July 2025, this Lope De Vega filly claimed the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes in 2024 and added the Group 3 Bronte Cup to her haul in 2025.
Last sighted finishing a close second to the highly regarded Estrange at Haydock, she currently tops the market for the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes on Day 5.
French Master
Another recent addition to the squad, French Master joined Wathnan on June 11 this year. Sent to Royal Ascot for his first assignment in his new silks, he produced a thunderous late effort to claim the Copper Horse Stakes. He looked every inch a Group horse in a handicap that day and will get the chance to prove it in the Goodwood Cup on Day 1.
Blue Brother
Formerly based in France with Gianluca Bietolini, this Intello colt won twice in his homeland before joining Wathnan in February 2025. He blew his chance when stumbling at the start in the Royal Hunt Cup, but if returning to the form of his fifth in the Grade 1 Qatar Derby, he has every chance in the Coral Golden Mile Handicap on Day 4.
Night Raider
This rapid Karl Burke runner is a perfect four from four on the all-weather but has yet to strike in six outings on turf. However, his blistering pace took him towards the head of affairs at halfway in the King Charles III Stakes, and he still led at the furlong pole in the July Cup. Dropping down to Group 2 level, the speedy 5f of the King George Qatar Stakes might suit him well.
Crimson Advocate
The 2025 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes winner also holds an entry in the Lennox Stakes but is more likely to tackle the Group 1 Nassau Stakes on Day 3. Striking over course and distance in the Listed Conqueror Fillies’ Stakes in May, she is not without a chance if reproducing the electrifying finishing burst of her Royal Ascot success.
With live challengers lurking throughout the handicap and novice events, Wathnan has a realistic shot at setting a new best total at the second major meeting of the summer months. They are mixing it with the big boys and wins in the most prestigious races, including the Classics, will surely come.
