Andrew Balding And Qatar Racing Part Ways

[Wandering Eyes]

Qatar Racing has removed its six horses from Andrew Balding's Kingsclere yard. The news was confirmed by the trainer's wife, Anna Lisa, speaking at Newcastle on Friday.

Anna Lisa said, “Andrew and Sheikh Fahad just had differences and we just decided that it was probably best to go our separate ways.”

Balding's association with Sheikh Fahad's operation has been particularly fruitful. Since Qatar Racing was established in 2012, Balding has been training for the operation which has resulted in a quartet of Group 1 winners:  2000 Guineas winner and Group 1 sire Kameko (Kitten's Joy), Elm Park (GB) (Phoenix Reach {Ire}), Side Glance (GB) (Passing Glance {GB}), and New Century (GB), by Kameko. The last-named horse won the 2024 GI Summer Stakes in Canada and was fifth in Wednesday's G3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

In 2025, Balding's string has been hitting on all cylinders, with 44 winners already, including a double at Newcastle on Friday during the All-Weather Championships with Storm Star (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Berkshire Whisper (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Kirsten Rausing's Almeric (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) won the Listed Feilden Stakes for the stable on Tuesday. Juddmonte's Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) struck in last week's G3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury. Divina Grace (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) captured the G3 John Porter Stakes on the same card.

Qatar Racing has been expanding the countries it operates in, and enjoyed a win in the U.S. with GIII Pucker Up Stakes heroine Waves Of Mischief (Into Mischief) last year. Sheikh Fahad's silks are also regularly seen in Australia, Ireland, France and Japan.

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