Ihtimal outclasses her rivals in UAE 1,000 Guineas

Ihtimal, a three-year-old daughter of Shamardal, made her seasonal debut a very successful one when running out the easy winner of the UAE 1,000 Guineas at Meydan.

Settled off the pace under a confident Silvestre de Sousa, the Godolphin filly travelled superbly throughout and once asked to quicken as the field entered the home straight, responded in tremendous fashion and simply outclassed her rivals to win going away by three and a quarter lengths.

Never out of the first three in six starts as a juvenile, Ihtimal won the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes en route to victory in the G2 Park Hill Stakes. She rounded off her two-year-old season with a creditable third in the G1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket, where she was chasing home the talented Iffraaj duo of Chriselliam (who went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf) and Rizeena (winner of the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes).

After the race her trainer Saeed bin Suroor indicated that she was likely to have one more start in Dubai and could then head back to Newmarket for the English 1,000 Guineas, due to take place on 4 May.

Bred by Darley, Ihtimal is the first foal to race out of Eastern Joy, herself a half-sister to G1 Prix Diane Hermes winner West Wind. They are from the family of the great racemare Balanchine, who won both the English Oaks and Irish Derby.

Shamardal is also sire this year of Hong Kong Classic Mile (local G1) winner Able Friend, plus the well-bred fellow Stakes winner Emblems. He stands at Kildangan Stud at a fee of €50,000 October 1st Special Live Foal.