No wonder Kia Joorabchian is seeking divine intervention - he's taking a truly extraordinary gamble

They were words offered, at least partially, in jest but it was entirely understandable Kia Joorabchian would look to the Lord Almighty for reassurance on his recent yearling purchases.

“God, I hope we haven’t bought a dud,” Joorabchian said in the Racing Post's Big Read this weekend, in which the owner discussed his recent spending splurge at the bloodstock auctions.

What happened during those few weeks, and particularly during an astonishing three days in Newmarket last month, represent an extraordinary gamble by Joorabchian to try to break racing’s hegemony. In such circumstances, anyone could be forgiven for asking for a little bit of divine assistance.