London // Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid threw a curve ball into the European turf season on Thursday when it was announced that Taghrooda would take on the colts in next week's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
Taghrooda was on course to run in Friday’s Irish Oaks at the Curragh alongside Tarfasha, who now is the Minister Of Finance’s sole representative in the fillies Classic.
Taghrooda will bid to become the first three-year-old filly to win Ascot’s mid-summer showpiece since Pawneese in 1976 and to add to Nashwan’s sole win in the race for Sheikh Hamdan in 1989.
Angus Gold said Mukhadram, Sheikh Hamdan's other runner set for next week's race, could still take his chance, although he suggested Paul Hanagan will almost certainly ride the filly.
Trainer John Gosden had wanted to restrict Taghrooda to running against her own sex, and full credit for the bold and sporting move goes to the owner.
“Sheikh Hamdan called John Gosden yesterday,” Gold said. “Taghrooda only has three more runs left in her career, so he wanted to go for the big one.
“We think she is very good and it would be great to win such a race with her before she retires at the end of the season.”
If Mukhadram does drop out, the Juddmonte International at York next month is another viable option.
Tarfasha heads a field of 11 fillies for the Irish Oaks following her impressive run into second behind Taghrooda in the English Oaks at Epsom last month.
Marvellous, who was sixth at Epsom, spearheads a strong entry for Aidan O’Brien, who also will saddle Bracelet, the Royal Ascot winner, Tapestry, the English 1,000 Guineas sixth, and Palace.
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