It’s not very often you would expect a Catterick maiden winner to be lined up for a classic campaign but that is exactly what could lie ahead for Mohab in 2016. Usually it’s the bigger tracks that see the future stars race but every now and again races just fit in with the season and dictate where you will run. It’s not unusual for Kevin to use one of his local, smaller tracks to run a future star. In 2005 Palace Episode made a winning debut at Catterick before going on to win the Acomb Stakes at York and eventually winning the Racing Post Trophy and securing a Group 1 victory.

Mohab came to Hambleton Lodge after a £90,000 bid secured him from the Guineas Breeze up sales. Consigned by Willie Browne’s Mocklershill Stables, Kevin knew that he had received a youngster who had already been taught by one of the best in the breeze up game. Having breezed well and stood up a very nice individual, Kevin was excited to get him home and find out how big the engine was. From day one Mohab showed some class but he was definitely showing that he would need a little bit of time, looking as though 7f or a mile would be his trip. 

Mohab’s sire, Sir Percy has been quietly going about his business and turned out some nice individuals. His results have been improving and he looks like a young sire who could go on to develop into a very good producer of quality horses. Sir Percy was champion 2 year old himself, winning the Dewhurst over 7f before going on to Classic success in the Derby as a 3 year old. Although this doesn’t determine what his offspring should be like it does have a little bit of an affect and Kevin believed that a little bit of time would help Mohab

DEBUT

Hambleton Lodge is ideally located in relation to many of Britain’s tracks, it is very central making most courses very accessible. Kevin is very fortunate to have a fantastic racecourse like York just down the road and having a winner there is always special. Over the years Kevin has been known to introduce a nice 2 year old at York, horses like Astaire, The Grey Gatsby and Blaine all won there first time out before going on to group success. Now it was Mohab’s turn, Kevin had waited and the 7f median auction maiden was the race selected for his debut run. Despite never being seen on a racecourse, Mohab had attracted the punter’s attention who backed him into 11/8 favourite. This was obviously connected to Kevin’s record with 2 year olds at the Knavesmire  but there was also plenty of confidence from the yard as Mohab’s work suggested that he was a nice horse. 

The pre-lims went well and Mohab took to the occasion like a pro, not turning a hair despite the big crowds and huge noise surrounding the track. After calmly cantering to the start and settling into the stalls the race began. There was no fuss from Mohab as he broke well under Graham Lee and sat in just behind the early leaders. The pace was fair and Mohab got into a nice rhythm showing no inexperience through the first furlong. The race was going exactly to plan and Mohab travelled through the first half like the good horse Kevin felt he was. With the minimal amount of fuss he sat in behind the leaders, ready to pounce when the chance cam. The field round the home bend and headed into the long straight at York. The pace quickened with 3f to run and Mohab looked poised to challenge. He continued to travel strongly and Graham was happy to delay his final push. As the 2f marker came the race was on and it was time for Mohab to lay down his challenge. After travelling so strongly it looked as though he was the most likely winner. As Graham asked for his effort there was no response. It was the first time Mohab had come under pressure and the first time he had come off the bridle. It was all new to the 2 year old and he didn’t know what to do. Graham gave him as much help as possible, cajoling him to try and gt a run from him. The two leaders had kicked clear but as they entered the final furlong Mohab suddenly began to understand what was happening. With a late surge Mohab tried to reel in the leaders but it was a task too far. Despite the inexperience shown, Mohab had run with great credit and was obviously the horse to take out the race. He had shown plenty of ability and Graham couldn’t speak highly enough of him when he jumped off in the winner’s enclosure.

CATTERICK

Kevin knew what horse he had on his hands and the debut run at York confirmed that. From day one Mohab looked a group horse in the making and Kevin was keen to get him there sooner rather than later. Having made his debut in July there was an idea of running him just a few weeks later at the Ebor festival. The group 3 Acomb stakes was the race that was being targeted but the question was whether Kevin could squeeze a race in before. The worry was the time between races but in the end it was decided that he needed another run. The inexperience shown at York would be his downfall if upped into pattern company. 

There were plenty of 7f maidens at that time of year but Kevin wanted to find an easier opportunity for his juvenile. Mohab was entered in plenty of maidens but it was the Catterick race that was decided on. There is no such thing as a certainty but it did look the easiest race and a very good chance of gaining experience whilst also gaining  a win. 

Mohab’s form was far and away the best in the race and there was no support for any of the newcomers so his odds were very short, being sent off the 1/3 fav. From start to finish there was only one winner and Mohab justified everyone’s support. Catterick is not the easiest track with it’s undulations and sharp nature. Mohab jumped well and once again tracked the leaders. The downhill start created a very quick pace and this seemed to help Mohab get into his rhythm easily. From that point the race was a formality with the favourite cruising through the race. Mohab turned for home and took the lead while Graham still hadn’t moved. After taking the lead the son of Sir Percy then pulled clear whilst still hard on the bridle. With just over 1f to run Graham loosened the reigns and Mohab pulled further clear putting daylight between himself and the rest. By the time they crossed the winning line the margin was a huge 8 lengths but it could have easily been double that. 

It was a convincing victory and although it wasn’t the strongest race you couldn’t help but be impressed with Mohab. He had shown a lot more of a professional attitude during the race and showed that he had learnt from his debut. This result didn’t affect the future plans but it just helped to prepare him for the step up. 

ACOMB STAKES

The group 3 Acomb Stakes was the plan all along and after showing no ill effects from his Catterick win, Mohab was given the green light to take his chance. It was back at York which did give Mohab a little bit of an advantage as he had made his debut there. York has a long pull out where the horses have to cross the track to get to the parade ring. This, along with the huge crowds, can give some a little fright. 

The Acomb has produced some nice horses and it was a race that Kevin won with future group 1 winner Palace Episode. Looking through the field there was no distinct star but plenty who looked as though they could improve to be one in the future. This was shown in the betting as there were two 4-1 joint-fav with Mohab closely following at 5-1. It looked an open affair and it was going to take one of them to grab the race and make it their own. 

Mohab had been the utmost professional from day one and he once again showed a great temperament through the preliminaries. Graham Lee continued his association with the Sir Percy colt as they looked to make the leap to group winner. Just like he did on his first two starts Mohab jumped well and tracked the leader. This time he was a little closer up and was with the early leader. The pace was nice and fair, allowing the field of ten to run close together. Mohab was in a nice rhythm and like always he travelled strongly through the early stages of the race. 

By halfway the field already headed into the home bend, ready to enter the long home straight at York. Graham had Mohab tracking the leader’s every move and he looked to be in the prime position to lay down his challenge. Despite Kevin’s charge travelling strongly, the same could be said for the rest of the field and there was no clear choice of winner just yet. With little over 3f to run Graham began to wind up his mount and the 2 year old responded by lengthening his stride and trying to stretch the rest. Mohab was now eye to eye with the leader and he looked a huge threat but there were a couple in behind who were waiting, looking dangerous. Mohab laid down his challenge inside the 2f marker but he couldn’t get past the leader and looked to be treading water a little. The dangers that lined up behind quickened past now and took the race under their control. Mohab tried his heart out but he was just not going anywhere. He ended up coming home in fifth place, beaten just over four lengths but ran better than the bare result suggested. 

There was a little air of disappointment but Graham quickly changed that with his comments. Having felt Mohab travel very strongly he said the ground was very tacky and his mount just couldn’t get his feet out of it. As well as this Graham felt that he was going to be better in time, allowing him to grow up and strengthen. Before rushing off to weigh in he did happen to mention that he felt he could be a very good horse at 3 years old. With this information now in hand Kevin felt a lot happier and straight away began planning for the rest of the year. 

There was a decision to make, should he run again this year or should he be put away for next year. Kevin thought long and hard and it was decided to compromise, keep Mohab in training and see how he fairs in the next couple of weeks, hopefully he can mature and there could be another race in him. He did the latter and so a month later Mohab headed to the St Leger meeting for a 7f Listed race. Again Kevin’s 2 year old ran with huge credit to finish third but he showed that it was enough for this year and he was quickly sent away for a winter break. 

2016

It was a good season for Mohab as a 2 year old but he just fell short of the top level. He has always shown that he is a very good horse but Kevin and Graham Lee felt that it was probably just a little bit too much too soon. Having had a good, long winter break down at the National Stud in Newmarket, Mohab certainly looks more like the finished article. He has grown and strengthened, filling out his frame and now looks a lot more ready to take on the best. If this maturity brings about improvement also, then Mohab will surely be a 3 year old to follow. Kevin certainly believes so and the first port of call will be a tilt at a classic if Mohab proves himself worthy. So where could we see him head to in 2016??

There are two possible routes that Mohab could go down and it will mirror the path that The Grey Gatsby took en route to Classic glory. He has an entry in the English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas so first stop will be a trial for one of these events. Depending on Kevin’s thoughts, Mohab will be tried either over 7f or a mile. The 7f group 3 Greenham has proved to be one of the best trials in recent years, the race that the mighty Frankel won before his 2000 Guineas romp. There is the 7f Listed European Free Handicap at Newmarket’s Rowley mile but this does tend to be the weakest trial due to the weight differences that occur. The Grey Gatsby tackled the group 3 Craven Stakes over a mile on his seasonal return and this could be an option for Mohab, over the course and distance of the 2000 Guineas. 

The rest of the season will depend on this first performance. Winning well in any of these trials could see Mohab tackle one of the Guineas. If there was a feeling that the mile would be on the short side then he could be aimed at the Prix Du Jockey Club, the French Derby. Kevin won this with The Grey Gatsby and he went through the Guineas route before stepping Gatsby up to 1m2f. If Mohab was to do the same there could be two options to use as a trial for France. The 1m1f Fielden Stakes is a Listed event at Newmarket, although the problem with this is that it is at the Craven meeting so there would be a choice to make between this and the  Craven. The race that would be more attractive if the 1m2f route was taken would be the group 2 Dante. It has been the best Derby trial, it is at York which makes it special to Northern trainers and it is a race that launched The Grey Gatsby into the public’s attention. 

Depending on results and how Kevin feels the horse ran will determine what the season holds. Mohab is in full training at the minute and been pleasing in the work he has done so far so he certainly looks as though he retains all the ability he has shown throughout. With the season fast approaching he will now step up his training and hopefully he can follow in Gatsby’s golden footsteps into group and classic glory.