Sheikh Fahad rides first winner in famous Town Plate

Sheikh Fahad rode his first winner when landing today's Newmarket Town Plate, a three-and-three-quarter-mile marathon run over the July Course.

Riding the eight-year-old gelding Almagest, Sheikh Fahad closed down the long-time leader, ridden by local MP Matthew Hancock, inside the final furlong and raced to victory by four and a half lengths. The winner, who was leased for the day from the stable of trainer Robert Stephens, scored in a time of 6mins 57secs 15 horses ran.

Following the race, Sheikh Fahad said: ‚"I'm very thankful to Robert Stephens and the horse's owners for allowing me to ride him it's an unbelievable feeling to ride a winner, and to do it in this famous race makes it very special.

‚"It was a very long way, but Kevin Darley [former champion jockey] keeps me very fit he is the toughest drill sergeant I know! I ride out every day, which helps, and I do a lot of gym work.‚"

Hancock, riding the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding Medieval Chapel, was among the early pace-setters, and he steadily drew clear to establish a very big lead. With two furlongs to run Medieval Chapel was still 30 lengths clear, but Sheikh Fahad had sent Almagest in pursuit, and with a perfectly-timed run he collared the leader.

Reflecting on how the race unfolded, Sheikh Fahad said: ‚"He was very relaxed going to post, and when we set off I was quite happy, but after four furlongs he dropped the bit and I just had to squeeze him up some of the others had kicked on and I didn't want to give away too much ground.

‚"I took my time until we came back onto the racecourse proper, with two and a quarter miles to run, and from there I kept him interested by passing one horse at a time. At the four-furlong pole I thought I would be placed, but was sure Matthew had stolen the race. However, my horse kept staying on and the leader started to come back to me. My horse quickened as we came up to him.‚"

Sheikh Fahad, who has ridden in a handful of charity races, has shed five and a half stone (about 35kg) since taking up riding. He is booked for two more charity-race rides in Ireland as part of the Corinthian Challenge that is raising money for Injured Irish Jockeys, and he also plans to ride in the Mongolian Derby later this month.

As a member of the Al Thani family which sponsors the QIPCO 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the July Course was an appropriate venue for Sheikh Fahad's first winning race ride. And it is just as well for Oisin Murphy and Colin Keane that his very meagre diet does not allow further weight loss. ‚"If only I could ride at 9st,‚" said the Sheikh.

Picture of Almagest and Sheikh Fahad, in yellow colours, racing past runner-up Medieval Chapel inside the final furlong: Dan Abraham