There are some horses that are extra special, and Haatem is certainly one of those. To see him travel all the way to Kentucky and win the $2 million Mint Millions Invitational is something that gave everyone at the yard an enormous amount of pride.
We have always known what a tough and genuine horse Haatem is. He has been racing at the highest level, and has always given us absolutely everything he has. To now see him producing a performance like that in America, was a very special moment.
It was a brilliant ride from Jamie Spencer. He rode him with plenty of confidence, and when they turned into the straight Haatem was in exactly the position we wanted him to be.
Haatem has given us some fantastic days over the years, from his Group victories in Britain to his performances in the Guineas, and watching him add a major American prize to his CV is another chapter that we will remember for a long time.
There is also something particularly rewarding about seeing a horse that you have known and worked with for so long go on and achieve something on an international stage. Everyone at the yard has played their part in Haatem’s career, and I know how much affection there is for him among the team.
He is a horse who has always given us plenty to be proud of, and he did exactly that again at Kentucky Downs.
To win a race worth $2 million is obviously a fantastic achievement, but for me, it is the manner of the victory that makes it so special. He travelled over there, took everything in his stride and showed that same determination we have seen from him throughout his career. We have seen that character time and time again at home. He has always been a horse who enjoys his racing and takes his work seriously, but he has also got that wonderful toughness that you need to compete in big races.