Shahama a rising star for Munnings after maintaining unbeaten record at Meydan

The sky appears to be the limit for the exciting Shahama, who maintained her unbeaten record in cosy style when landing the Group 3 UAE Oaks Presented By JAFZA at Meydan on Friday.

By Ashford Stud's proven Grade 1-winning sire Munnings, the three-year-old looks to have much bigger targets ahead of her, but she proved far too good for her six rivals here when pulling two lengths clear despite missing the kick.

Owned by KHK Racing, who spent 2,700,000gns on Akhu Najla - a Kingman half-brother to Qicpo 2,000 Guineas hero and Tally-Ho sire Galileo Gold - at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2020, this filly cost a six-figure sum when making $425,000 to Fawzi Nass from Eddie Woods at last year's Ocala Spring Sale.

Shahama had won a maiden at Meydan by nine lengths on her first start in December and followed that up with another clear-cut success in the UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial. She then pulled nearly four lengths clear when landing the Listed UAE 1,000 Guineas late last month.

She was bought for $425,000 by trainer Fawzi Nass at Ocala last April and is the ninth foal out of the prolific Belong To Me mare Private Feeling and a half-sister to Preakness Stakes hero and Ashford Stud sire Lookin At Lucky, a champion at two and three, as well as dual Grade 2 winner Kensei. Private Feeling is in turn a half-sister to Grade 3 scorer Great Charmer.

Speaking on the Dubai Racing Channel, jockey Adrie de Vries said: "She was a little bit upset by the big screen, it was the first time she saw that today, the music [was playing on course], she sat down a bit in the stalls and jumped a bit awkward and the kickback was pretty bad.

"She’s push button, a jockey's dream, she gets you out of trouble from any position. When she hit the front she started to jump shadows as well so I think there was something left in the tank."

De Vries said a UAE Derby tilt would be up to connections but suggested that a return to America would be among other possible options.

Lookin At Lucky, who stands the 2022 season for a fee of $15,000, is responsible for Breeders' Cup Classic hero Accelerate, Kentucky Derby victor Country House, Beldame Stakes winner and Breeders' Cup Distaff runner-up Wow Cat and Champions & Chater Cup winner Panfield.

Shahama's own sire and fellow Ashford Stud resident Munnings is responsible for five individual top-flight winners including Spinster Stakes scorer I'm A Chatterbox, Madison Stakes victress Kimari, who was also second in the Commonwealth Cup and Queen Mary, plus last autumn's Champagne Stakes victor Jack Christopher.

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