He could be the one: Tregoning excited for Mohaather future as he targets Foret

Marcus Tregoning believes Mohaather is capable of putting him “back on the map” with the Derby-winning trainer targeting the Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Foret with the three-year-old.

Winner of the Greenham Stakes on his only run this season, Mohaather has been absent since after picking up an injury, but Tregoning remains excited about the future for Hamdan Al Maktoum’s lightly raced colt.

He said: “He’s at Shadwell [owner’s stud] at the moment but he’s just about to start cantering and I should have him back in about a month’s time. They’ve been very pleased with him and we’re looking forward to the back end of the season. He’s always been a sound, straightforward horse to deal with and he was looking very exciting before the injury.

“Hopefully he can do what we think he can do and be the horse to put us back on the map. It would be nice to have a race before the Foret but we’ll have to see what happens this autumn; a seven furlong Group 1 on autumn ground looks ideal. He’ll be taking on good ones in that race, but I’d like to think he'll be one of the good ones.”

Tregoning, 59, has handled a number of quality horses during his career, such as multiple Group 1 winner Nayef, Derby hero Sir Percy, classy stayer Askar Tau and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Mubtaker.

However, recent years have offered slimmer pickings for the trainer, aside from the exploits of dual Cambridgeshire winner Bronze Angel, and the emergence of Mohaather in the colours of long-time backer Sheikh Hamdan has proved a boon for the yard.

Tregoning also feels he has started to properly find his feet, and got the right staff to match, at his base at Whitsbury Manor Stables, having relocated there from Lambourn in 2013.

He said: “We’ve had a dearth of real quality horses here but Mohaather is potentially one of the best milers about this season, so it’s hugely exciting.

Sir Percy (right) wins the 2006 Derby for Marcus TregoningCredit: Paul Cranham

“He’s still got to go out and do that but he did look exciting, so it’s still good to have him and to have the support of Sheikh Hamdan. It’s very important for him to have horses of his quality and I hope we'll get to see that this year, and next year as well.”

He added: “Good horses are a bit like buses, if you wait around long enough one will come. I’ve been riding out the storm for a little bit, but fortunately the horses have been in good form generally and we’re looking forward to getting Mohaather back and seeing what he can do.”

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