Elm Park a first British Group one victory for Qatar Racing

It followed another fabulous effort in an overseas race by his stablemate, Side Glance, who finished fourth, but beaten just half a length, in Australia's Gr.1 Cox Plate. Both horses are trained by Andrew Balding at Kingsclere near Newbury.

Elm Park (pictured), who is owned in partnership with the syndicate Kingsclere Racing, was a second Group One winner in Britain for Sheikh Fahad following Lightening Pearl's victory in his Pearl Bloodstock colours in the 2011 Cheveley Park Stakes.

Following Elm Park's win, Sheikh Fahad said: "I haven't seen a horse gallop like that. He glides through the ground and his mental ability and calmness for a two-year-old is quite remarkable. In terms of next year's Derby that is the best performance by a two-year-old this season."

Ridden by Andrea Atzeni, the Andrew Balding-trained Elm Park made all the running and pulled clear in the closing stages to win by 2¾l and ½l from Aloft and Celestial Path.

Atzeni, who takes over from retiring Jamie Spencer as Qatar Racing's first jockey at the end of this year, said: "He travelled beautifully and I kept it simple - it was like riding a piece of work. Winning this means a lot after taking the new job."

Reflecting on the 2014 season for Qatar Racing, Sheikh Fahad told Channel 4 Racing: "Like any operation it has needed time and we knew this would be a year of quality not quantity. We've got the best bunch of two-year-olds to look forward to at three next year.

"I've a great team behind me, and when a horse becomes available we look at the form and the ratings and have a discussion. I have the final say, but it's a team decision."

Trainer's father Ian Balding with Sheikh Fahad
and Andrea Atzeni after today's Racing Post Trophy
win by Elm Park

Elm Park was recording his fourth straight victory having run five times. He was bred by Balding's mother, Emma, and was owned solely by Kingsclere Racing until Sheikh Fahad bought a share in September. Late that month the colt won the Gr.2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes, and he started favourite to land today's big race, the final Group One of the British season.

Sheikh Fahad said: "I've just spoken to Andrew [Balding] by telephone and he is so happy. He is in Australia with Side Glance who ran another great race earlier today.

"We hope to have six or seven runners at the Breeders' Cup [at Santa Anita] next week. I feel sad that Peace And War misses the juvenile fillies' dirt race because she was one I was most looking forward to, but she has a minor problem and we want to make sure she is okay for next year's Oaks. In her absence our best chances are probably with Secret Gesture and Just The Judge."

Main picture: Dan Abraham