Impressive at Lingfield, and twice at Newmarket, William Haggas' Chestnut Colt was a favourite for the Epsom Derby. However, he was a late withdrawal from the race, with the going cited as a reason to focus on Royal Ascot instead.

This turned out to be a shrewd move as Mohaafeth won the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes as the 11/8 favourite. He beat Roman Empire by one-and-three-quarter lengths, taking the lead over one furlong out and holding on strongly.

Break to glory

In his first race in September 2020, the Doncaster Maiden Stakes, Mohaafeth slowly got into his stride, and simply was not enough to touch the leaders, weakening towards the end of the race, finishing 7th out of 10.

A month later at Salisbury, Haggas' colt impressively finished 3rd from 12, tracking leader Belloccio throughout the Novice Stake.

And after a 169-day break, Mohaafeth returned in astounding form, completing a hattrick of wins in 2021. The first came at Lingfield in March, followed by two success at Newmarket in April and May.

Fighting talk!

William Haggas says Mohaafeth will "be up for a fight" in next month's @CazooUK Derby, and sees Bolshoi Ballet as the biggest threat to all at @EpsomRacecourse ?
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 16, 2021

Three wins on the bounce for Mohaafeth set Haggas up comfortably for the Epsom Derby, priced at 8/1. However, he ended up focusing on Royal Ascot instead, where he was victorious in the Hampton Court Stakes.

Mohaafeth connections

Owner William Haggas has had numerous winners in Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Australia.

He trained his first winner in 1987, before training two British classic winners. Haggas trained Shaamit, the winner of the 1996 Epsom Derby, as well Dancing Rain, the winner of the Epsom Oaks in 2011.

Trainer William Haggas. Issue date: Monday February 8, 2021.

These were his first two wins in his first two British Classic races. His third, Vow, came fourth in the 2012 Oaks. Largely thanks to the exploits of Dancing Rain, he finished joint seventh in the 2011 British Champions Series trainers' table.

In 2013, Haggas was appointed to be a part of the Royal Trainers, where he trained his first winner for the Queen, Purple Spectrum winning the maiden race at Windsor in May 2014.

Jockey Jim Crowley rode Mohaafeth to victory twice of the three races at Newmarket, as well as in his first two stakes at Doncaster and Salisbury. He was also on board for his win at Royal Ascot.

Mohaafeth pedigree

Mohaafeth is the son to sire Frankel and dam French Dressing. Frankel was unbeaten in his fourteen-race career and was the highest-rated racehorse in the world from May 2011.

Son to Galileo, Frankel won the Royal Lodge Stakes 2010, Sussex Stakes 2011 & 2012, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 2011, Champion Stakes 2012 and many more.

With a pedigree full of success, and with a Grand-Sire of Galileo, it would be no surprise if there was further success for Mohaafeth.

Mohaafeth

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In the run up to the Epsom Derby, Mohaafeth had a great return to racing after a 169-day break.

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