Dettori takes Al Thani post
Al Thani is one of the rising stars of the owning and breeding ranks with the likes of St James’s Palace Stakes runner-up Toronado, Group One winner Olympic Glory and French 2,000 Guineas hero Style Vendome among his horses.
He also recently purchased Naas Listed winner Sandiva, who Dettori partnered when second in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Al Thani, who also has the Marco Botti-trained Planteur in his British-based team, owns the Haras de Bouquetot stud farm in Normandy.
* Al Kazeem leads a small but select field of eight horses confirmed at the five-day stage for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.
The Roger Charlton-trained five-year-old has emerged as a force at the highest level this season and will be seeking his third straight Group One success after the Tattersalls Gold Cup and, most recently, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He just got up to edge out the enterprisingly-ridden Mukhadram that day and the runner-up is in line for a rematch having been left in by William Haggas.
Aidan O’Brien is three-handed with Queen Anne victor Declaration Of War, St James’s Palace third Mars and last year’s triple Classic hero Camelot.
The Fugue, third to Al Kazeem at the Royal meeting, represents John Gosden, who won the race last year with Nathaniel.
* Alive Alive Oh is to go straight to the Darley Irish Oaks after being a late withdrawal from the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
The Tommy Stack-trained filly was taken out of the 10-furlong Group One after she was found to be in season on the morning of the race. “Unfortunately she came in season yesterday morning. She was due to come into season at the weekend. It’s a shame she didn’t last until this morning,” said Stack’s son and assistant, Fozzy.
“She’ll go straight to the Irish Oaks now.”
