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Harris' Hurdler Khan off to stud in France

It's quite rare for winning hurdlers to escape intact for a career at stud but Milton Harris' Khan has done that and now moves to France for a breeding spell.

Not many jumps horses escape intact to embark on a stud career in France after winning races but that is the plan for Khan after securing his fourth victory of the season at Ludlow.

A Group 1 winner on the Flat in Germany in 2018, the eight-year-old has proved another tidy purchase by trainer Milton Harris, who is enjoying a solid campaign.
Since winning at Plumpton a year ago, Khan had added to his win tally with further victories at Fontwell in June, Huntingdon in October and Lingfield in November.
Khan was a 100-30 chance for his latest test in the Ludlow Brewery Handicap Hurdle and prevailed by a cosy three lengths under Harry Reed.
Harris said: "He's a lovely horse to be around with great character and he's actually going to Pau as he's got a job as a stallion - he leaves on Wednesday!
"That was his last run for us today, which is a shame as I think he'd have won again. He'll be covering mares soon and hopefully we'll get a few of his offspring back to train one day, you never know.
"He won a Group One as a four-year-old and just lost his way and then we got him. A lot of credit must go to Christian von der Recke as he found him for me and recommended him.
"He's a gentleman of a horse who has been an absolute pleasure to be around."
The Wiltshire trainer went on to forge a double on the card, with Mullenbeg registering a simple success in the Watch On RacingTV Mares' Open NH Flat Race.
Bought for 42,000 guineas after running well in two Irish point-to-points, the 15-2 chance made an eye-catching debut under Mitchell Bastyan.
"She shows enough at home without showing loads, which is probably the best way to have them," Harris added.
"I hoped she'd finish in the first three. Did I think she'd win like that? No. She's obviously a good mare.
"I'm going to enjoy today, but I'd say we'll look towards Newbury and/or Aintree, something like that."
Harris has now sent out a personal best of 35 winners this season and has a realistic Cheltenham Festival contender on his hands in leading Triumph Hurdle hope Knight Salute.
He said: "I've had good seasons with prize-money in the past, but we've not had 35 winners before.
"We're having a good season and I've got no complaints. If we can, we'll try to get close to 50, but let's get to 40 first!"

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