'Maybe it's because I'm a woman'

Claims by Criquette Head-Maarek that Al Shaqab Racing removed a handful of horses from her yard because she is a woman were described as "utterly ridiculous" by the organisation's Harry Herbert yesterday.

Sheikh Joaan Al Thani's Al Shaqab operation enjoyed what Herbert called the "greatest" of times with Head-Maarek, who saddled the mighty Treve to consecutive victories in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2013 and 2014.

However, that relationship seems all but over after the Chantilly trainer, part of one of French racing's greatest dynasties, suggested her gender was a factor in losing Al Shaqab's patronage.