'We all know owners need luck and, fortunately, Shaikh Khalid seems to be lucky'

Given the uncertain nature of racing and breeding, spending big is not always the same as spending well. However, having burst onto the scene with some seismic sales ring purchases, KHK Racing has quickly converted a portfolio of hefty investments into a set of significant racing achievements.

Chief among the successes is St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov, who provided KHK Racing with a maiden Group 1 triumph. Just six days later, Sakheer dropped a big hint he could be the owner’s second top-flight winner with a bloodless success in the Mill Reef Stakes.

Both colts are trained by Roger Varian and were sourced on behalf of KHK Racing, the nom de plume of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, son of the King of Bahrain, by bloodstock agent Oliver St Lawrence, with the former a £480,000 buy and the latter a €550,000 acquisition.