Khaadem

“The stirrup leather broke, I was without one iron and unfortunately the race was over - Oisin Murphy, jockey of Khaadem.”

“By reading the form, I knew they were going to go hard, and I couldn't ask for any more. For a nine-year-old gelding against the best sprinters in the world, third is quite a good job. Khaadem thinks he's two, honestly. The winner was head and shoulders above everybody else. It's a shame I couldn't catch Ag Bullet, but third is good enough. Full credit to Charlie Hills. A nine-year-old gelding getting third in a Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint against the best sprinters in the world, amazing effort. The blinkers helped and we've done a lot of gate schooling and the race went really well. The winner was far too good but I'm just delighted with the run - Frankie Dettori, jockey.”

“Khaadem seems to thrive being here. He's nine years old and he won his first race as a two-year-old, so we go back a long way. He's won some fantastic races back in England - two Jubilees at Royal Ascot - and he's won some amazing prize-money, so he's given us all a lot of joy. Horses have such good characters and he's certainly got one. I think we have to go [Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint]. It just makes sense - Charlie Hills, trainer, speaking to Bloodhorse.Khaadem fluffed the start. That's why he was so far back. I got him in a good spot and he decided to run. He's a character and we love him for it - Frankie Dettori, jockey.”

“Khaadem got a fantastic ride there off the pace and he never looked like he was going to get beat; he travelled beautifully through the race. He loves the place and it's the first time he's had the ground, pretty much since he ran here last time. I think fast ground is key to him. He had a lovely pitch, they went a good strong pace in front, but he just travels so well. He's such a versatile horse; he was making the running over five furlongs two years ago. I just really felt there's a different trajectory to running like a good horse over six, and it seems to have suited him very well - Charlie Hills, trainer.”

“I've always had massive faith in Khaadem and that's why I've kept him for so long. He won a Group 2 last year over five furlongs and this year I wanted to try to race him properly again and make sure he got the six well. The horse is very, very fast. He's got his quirks but most good sprinters do and he's just taken time to come to himself - Charlie Hills, trainer.”

“We were pleased with that. It was a little bit loose over on the side Khaadem was but he's run a really good race. We'll definitely look at the Flying Five - Charlie Hills, trainer.”

“Khaadem has never really come back like his Stewards' Cup win until today. It's taken a while and he's a quirky horse, but very talented. He took everything in his stride and the race unfolded perfectly for him. I'm made up. He always wears his heart on his sleeve - Charlie Hills, trainer.”

“We only bought Khaadem at the end of last year from Shadwell and we're over the moon. These are hard races to win but he's just seriously fast. He's a proven horse and the Hays like to have runners in Dubai, so it was an easy decision to make to buy him. You'd have to go to Ascot after that and take on the rockets there and you'd have to keep him over the same trip too - Alex Cole, owner's racing manager.”

“I guess we will have to look at the Group 1 at Haydock. Magical Memory won this race and just got touched off there. I think Khaadem is a very good horse who is only going to get better and better - Charlie Hills, trainer.”

“Khaadem is hugely talented but has his quirks. He's just a bit hot-headed and has been hard to settle, hence the hood in the paddock before. I think Ascot and a stiff six will suit him. He might just prefer a little bit more give in the ground in time but he's an exciting horse - Charlie Hills, trainer.”

“Khaadem is a lovely horse - he's got size and scope. One of the reasons for bringing him here was we wanted to go softly with him, try to give him more experience until we move him up to the bigger races. He's in the Middle Park and Sheikh Hamdan will probably decide where he wants to go, but there's a good possibility he'll go there - Charlie Hills, trainer.”

“Khaadem got struck into when he ran here last time and has grown up a lot since then - Dane O'Neill, jockey.”