Haatem likely to skip Goodwood in favour of Prix Jacques Le Marois

The Richard Hannon-trained

Haatem

is likely to skip the Qatar Goodwood Festival for a tilt at the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville later this summer. 

The three-year-old has been a model of consistency during his career and in-between placed efforts in both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas added a Jersey Stakes win at Royal Ascot to a Craven Stakes victory on his seasonal reappearance.  

Entered in both the Qatar Sussex Stakes and the World Pool Lennox Stakes at Goodwood next week, Hannon is set to wait until August 14th and a trip to Deauville with the three-time Group scorer. 

Discussing the son of Phoenix Of Spain, Hannon said: “Haatem is a gentleman. It’s a pleasure to have him and hopefully a Group One will come his way soon. Hopefully it’s the Prix Jacques Le Marois, but there are a lovely lot of races in him this year and next. 

“He’s a very well bought horse. Horses like him are so hard to replace. You can go to a big race anywhere in the world and he is going to run a super race. 

“He’s ultra-reliable, sound and super talented. In terms of his owners Wathnan Racing, he is a flagship horse for them and they are hard to find and hard to buy. 

“I would never thought he would win the Craven like he did and it’s been a matter of further the he’s gone, the better he has become. 

“A mile and a quarter might happen. He’s in a few races already at that trip, but he’s been a really pleasant surprise with his toughness, his soundness and ability-wise. 

“I know he won a Group Two at Goodwood last year, but I never felt he got the credit he deserved. After that he was running to a level of 100 consistently and now he is running to a level of 116 [official rating] on a monthly basis now.  

“A lot of people have got a lot of love for him. Some of these horses thrive on racing and he is one of them. 

“There are loads of options for Haatem – Australia, America, Hong Kong.”