Todd Pletcher says he is feeling very positive about the prospects of four horses that have arrived from Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
Pletcher has seen an influx of promising talent head to his yard after the retirement of long-time USA-based Shadwell trainer Kiaran McLaughlin last April, and the latest quartet have already made an impression.
Ajhar, an $800,000 Keeneland September 2018 purchase and son of Tapit and Grade 2 winner Jojo Warrior, and Ashiham have both joined the Dallas-born trainer’s stable, with Ashaab and Grade 2-placed Ajaaweed making up the quartet.
There are high hopes for the new arrivals and 52-year-old Pletcher, an 11-time Breeders’ Cup winner, is very happy with the horses he is getting from Al Maktoum.
“It’s a tremendous-looking group of horses and a real tribute to the programme,” he was quoted as saying by Sports News Ireland.
“They’re not only well-bred, but very good-looking individuals. The ones that we got in from Kiaran were in excellent condition.
“We’re starting to get a few in from South Carolina and those are looking well. We’re excited about the opportunity and are very enthused about training for Sheikh Hamdan and Shadwell.”
