Sheikh Fahad '100 per cent' committed to British racing despite sponsorship cuts

Qatar Racing's manager David Redvers has insisted Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's support and interest in British racing will not change despite the ongoing sale of Longholes Stud, his plans to spend more time in the US and cutbacks to sponsorship elsewhere in Europe.

Qipco Holding, of which Sheikh Fahad is a director, has stopped sponsorship of the Irish Champion Stakes and French Derby but Redvers said it would continue to be one of the biggest investors in British racing.

Qipco will continue the multi-million sponsorship of the Champions Series in addition to deals with Royal Ascot and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Redvers also confirmed Qatar Racing have no plans to reduce their number of horses in training in Britain.

Speculation had ensued when news broke of Sheikh Fahad's Longholes rehabilitation and pre-training centre being put on the market, with the sheikh planning to spend time in America with his Californian wife, Sheikha Melissa.

Sheikh Fahad puts Longholes Stud up for sale as he spends more time in US

However, Redvers said: "Sheikh Fahad has got an exciting team of horses in training, as good as he's ever had. We invested considerably at the yearling sales last October, we've got a thrilling bunch of two-year-olds and I can't wait to see them.

"We're still continuing with the Champions Series, the King George and as official commercial partner with Royal Ascot and none of that has changed."

Qipco British Champions Day: one of the highlights of the Flat seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

He added: "People have made the understandable mistake of adding two and two together and made seven, over the fact that Sheikh Fahad has decided to sell Longholes and is spending a bit more time in America as he's married a lovely Californian lady.

"He's 100 per cent committed to British racing and we're still the number one non-bookmaker sponsor of British racing. We're enormously supportive of the industry and there's absolutely no intention for that to change."

Redvers, who also owns and manages Tweenhills Stud, added his voice to calls for racing to resume as soon as possible to safeguard jobs in the industry. The BHA has yet to announce when the sport will return, although plans are in place to begin as soon as the government relaxes the current lockdown restrictions.

"It's imperative that we get back as soon as possible," he said. "Where we are is a huge advantage and the protocols [for behind closed doors racing] that have proven to work in other countries can be brought across – it's not reinventing the wheel but we need to crack on.

"We have to make the best of the difficult scenario we're in to safeguard everybody's jobs. The sooner we're racing then we can unveil our weapons for the season."

Kameko: smart son of Kitten's Joy is set to start off in the Qipco 2,000 GuineasCredit: Edward Whitaker

The star prospect among those weapons for the Qatar Racing team is impressive Vertem Futurity Trophy winner Kameko.

The son of Kitten's Joy is to start off in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, for which he is a general 12-1 chance.

"The plan starts with the 2,000 Guineas and we'll have to wait and see when that is," added Redvers. "Assuming it's as planned, the first weekend of June, that's what he's aiming for.

"He's in all sorts of races and he's our flagship horse going into the season. He's exciting his trainer [Andrew Balding] and the jockey [Oisin Murphy] can't wait to ride him."

Watch Kameko win the Vertem Futurity

Meanwhile, Longholes has been garnering plenty of attention since being put on the market at the start of April. Sheikh Fahad purchased the 217-acre property in 2013 and it is estimated to be worth more than £6 million.

"Longholes has been attracting an extraordinary amount of interest," Redvers said. "It's unsurprising as it's one of the most historic farms in Newmarket. It's now been taken to a state-of-the art level with the rehabilitation and breaking facilities.

"The only problem we've got is it's very difficult for people to come and see it. We're expecting things to move quickly when lockdown is relaxed."

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