Youth Spirit owner relishing Derby after nearing end of two-country quarantine

The prospect of seeing Youth Spirit carry his colours in the Cazoo Derby on Saturday will be all the sweeter for owner Ahmad Al Shaikh, who is nearing the end of a prolonged spell in quarantine in two different countries to make sure he can be at Epsom.

For Al Shaikh, who lives in Dubai, the time, money and effort he is going through to be present for the Classic is all worth it due to his love of racing and of the Derby itself.

“I’ve been in Greece for 12 days as from Dubai you cannot come directly to the UK, and I have to quarantine in my home in England until Friday too,” he said. “But if you want to come and see the Derby you make the effort and you have to spend a lot of money, but I love the race. This is the only thing that matters for me this week and you have to do a lot of things if you love the sport.”

Al Shaikh had been part of the Maktoum entourage for the Derby victories of Nashwan and Lammtarra, among others, and has owned horses in his own right for 15 years, enjoying success with the likes of Emaraaty Ana and Classic places with 150-1 shot Glory Awaits in the 2,000 Guineas and 50-1 chance Khalifa Sat in last year’s Derby.

“It was a surprise for me last year, that’s the truth,” he said. “When he came second last year it was like I won the Derby. When you go with an outsider you never expect them to go as well as he did. I had dreamed he would be fifth or sixth, so I was so very happy and I hope I can be again this year.”

Khalifa Sat: second in last year's DerbyCredit: Pool

In Youth Spirit, Al Shaikh, trainer Andrew Balding and jockey Tom Marquand have a stronger contender than Khalifa Sat, with the three-year-old impressing when winning the Group 3 Chester Vase last month.

The performance prompted a change of plan away from the Prix du Jockey Club and towards the Cazoo Derby, and Al Shaikh believes the Classic is a more open race than the betting indicates and that his 25-1 shot should not be overlooked.

He said: “I think I have a chance of winning just like everyone else –I have a lot of faith in my horse. When I saw the latest entries I think ten of them are the same level, it is not like it is in the betting. I am sure about that.

“I don’t think there should be a horse who is short odds and I think someone at bigger odds will win the Derby this year. Anyone can win the Derby and I have a lot of hope as my horse will make the distance, we are not worried about this at all. I am excited.”

He added: “I leave all the race plans and tactics to Mr Balding. He’s very happy with the horse and with what he told me and I’m confident in them all. It’s the best racing in the world and the best race in the world.”

Glory Awaits (blue blinkers) chases home Dawn Approach in the 2013 2,000 GuineasCredit: Mark Cranham

British racing has been under scrutiny this year with owner unrest at prize-money levels, the prospect of more racing being tied into future financial deals and a potential over-reliance on foreign investment on the Flat.

However, Al Shaikh, who has 15 horses in training with the likes of Balding, David Simcock and Karl Burke, remains passionate about British racing believing the prestige of the competition softens the blow of inadequate prize-money.

“If we talk about the prize-money it is not the best at all, that’s very true,” he said. “But the quality of the races and the opposition makes you feel you are running with the very best.

“Yes, the prize-money is important as we need to be able to cover ourselves. We don’t have a money machine to just keep paying for it again and again. So we have to budget for less money coming in for expenses. I’ve sold a lot of horses before and with that money I’ve been able to cover myself.

“We can run our horses anywhere in the world, but in England we feel like we are at home and that’s an important reason we like being here. We do not feel we are strangers, people are welcoming and they support us coming to race here.”

Racing Post exclusive offer. New customers can get £30 in free bets. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 6 x £5 bet token. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets redeemable on horse racing only. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.