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Maraahel set to return in 2008


Maraahel with Sir Michael Stoute after winning the Hardwicke Stakes

by David Milnes


MARAAHEL, who completed back-to-back wins in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in June for Sir Michael Stoute, is expected to race on at the age of seven in 2008.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's eight-time winner is on the market as a stallion prospect, but the owner has yet to receive a good enough offer to retire him.

Winner of nearly £1 million in win and place prize-money, Maraahel won three times last season, including his defeat of Scorpion at Royal Ascot.

The son of Alzao came close to ending his Group 1 losing sequence, which stands at 14, when beaten a short head by stablemate Notnowcato in the Juddmonte International at York in 2006.
Angus Gold, racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan, said: "As it stands we haven't had a good enough offer on Maraahel and it now looks probable that he will stay in training.

"He's wonderfully consistent and Sir Michael Stoute thinks that he would be up to winning again in Group company."

Maraahel would join a strong team of older horses at Freemason Lodge for 2008, as it is also set to include Ask, Distinction, Mountain High, Promising Lead, Hi Calypso and, possibly, Papal Bull.