Marcus Tregoning, known for winning the Derby, is also closely associated with Nayef, the 2002 Juddmonte International winner. Tregoning had trained under Major Dick Hern and was eager to work with Nayef, half-brother to the great Nashwan.
Nayef's career started promisingly with a debut win at Newbury and a victory in the Autumn Stakes. However, he faltered in the Guineas but rebounded to win three Group Threes and then his first Group One at Newmarket. “I was trying to repeat the success we had with Nashwan, starting Nayef in a Conditions race rather than a maiden,” Tregoning recalled. “Despite early setbacks in the spring, he bounced back to win the Champion Stakes.”
Nayef’s four-year-old season was set to start with the Dubai World Cup, but he was rerouted to the Sheema Classic due to Sheikh Hamdan's other horse, Sakhee, being targeted for the World Cup. Nayef excelled on dirt and won the Sheema Classic convincingly. “He was the best I ever had him while training for the Dubai World Cup,” said Tregoning.
Back in Europe, Nayef returned to top form by the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but only finished second to Golan. His victory in the Juddmonte International at York was particularly sweet, as he held off Golan in a thrilling finish. “He was in top order for the York race and proved himself a very sound and talented horse,” Tregoning noted.
Nayef, now 26 and living well at Shadwell, was known for his versatility and soundness. Tregoning praised Sheikh Hamdan for his patience, allowing Nayef to continue racing and winning, including the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at five. “Nayef was versatile, sound, and a top horse. Richard Hills rode him brilliantly in the Juddmonte, and on the day, he was just the better horse,” Tregoning concluded.