Hamad Al Jehani has thoroughly enjoyed competing against "the greatest trainers in the world" as his inaugural season training in Britain comes to a close.
A prominent trainer in Qatar, Al Jehani relocated to Newmarket in the spring to manage a select group of horses for leading owners Wathnan Racing. His operation, based at Tom Clover’s Kremlin House Stables, has achieved seven winners this season, including a Group Three victory in France with Make Me King in the Prix Quincey.
On Saturday, Defence Minister marked Al Jehani’s first runner in a British Group One, and he has relished the opportunity to go head-to-head with established trainers while refining his skills in the heart of British Flat racing.
"I’m enjoying it here. I have some good horses and a great team, which makes my time very rewarding," said Al Jehani. "It’s exciting to challenge some of the best trainers in the world. Training in the UK is completely different from the Middle East, and I need more time to fully understand the racing here."
"We’re focused on learning more about UK racing, and our main goal is to see our horses perform well. We don’t have specific targets; we just want them to put in good performances every time."
One standout moment for Al Jehani was Solar Aclaim’s victory at Goodwood on Wednesday. While it was only a Class Four handicap, the three-year-old sprinter was ridden by fellow Qatari Faleh Bughenaim, who has had success in Arab racing and is part of Al Shaqab’s endurance team.
Bughenaim and Al Jehani have previously teamed up to win the Qatar Derby with Wathnan’s Jeff Koons, but this marked their first win together in Britain, making it all the more special.
"Faleh got his first winner in England, which means a lot to the whole team," Al Jehani noted. "We prepared a horse for Faleh, and he won at one of the greatest racecourses in the world. Solar Aclaim handled the ground well, and Faleh gave him a fantastic ride. It was a very special achievement for us."