Blow for Kevin Philippart de Foy as prominent owner removes more than 20 horses

Kevin Philippart de Foy has lost more than 20 horses owned by Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah after turning down an approach from the prominent owner to be his private trainer.

A member of the Kuwaiti royal family, Sheikh Abdullah had centralised his string in Newmarket this season with Philippart de Foy, having previously spread his horses around the likes of Richard Fahey, Andrew Balding, David O’Meara, and John and Thady Gosden.

The 24 horses overseen by Philippart de Foy included Juan De Montalban, a dual winner at Ascot this year, and Cadillac, purchased for £500,000 on the eve of Royal Ascot from trainer Jessica Harrington before going on to finish second in the Wolferton Stakes and the Steventon Stakes at Newbury.