Hukum seals 'wonderful' first Group 1 for Owen Burrows in Coronation Cup

Friday: Dahlbury Coronation Cup, Epsom

When the axe fell on the Shadwell empire following the death of Hamdan Al Maktoum last year, Owen Burrows was arguably cut the deepest as he relocated to new premises with a significantly slimmed-down string having previously been a private trainer for the operation.

However, as Shadwell ‘rationalised’ the number of horses, Burrows held on to Hukum and at Epsom was able to revel in a first Group 1 success and his biggest prize since striking out alone.

“He’s been a wonderful horse for me,” Burrows said. “I’m thrilled he’s done it, for myself and for everyone back home. It’s been well documented it’s been a tough 12 months but I’m thrilled for everyone.

“It’s massive. We have reduced numbers now but we still have a good team and it means a lot to do it for Shadwell and Sheikh Hamdan’s family.”

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As Shadwell cut back through much of last year, the mantra repeated was the operation would have fewer horses but the ones who remained would ideally be competing in the best races.

Baaeed, the year younger brother of Hukum, has led the way with his triumph in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes last month and is expected to add the Queen Anne Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot to his haul.

Hukum may get more chances to add further top-level successes in Britain following his victory at Epsom under Jim Crowley, with Burrows and the rest of the Shadwell team initially believing an international campaign would be needed for the five-year-old to get his Group 1 victory.

Owen Burrows with Hukum after the colt had given him his first Group 1Credit: Mark Cranham

“I thought he was pretty impressive there,” Burrows said. “We’ll have to see where he goes next, anywhere there’s a little bit of juice in the ground although he’s versatile. He’s in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud, he’s in a German Group 1 in August, the Irish St Leger and also in Canada.

“I thought this might be his only sighting here this year in England but we might have to change our thinking now.”

That stance was supported by Angus Gold, Shadwell’s longstanding racing manager, who was particularly pleased for Burrows.

“I’m delighted for Owen and his team,” he said. “It’s been a tough time for them and for everybody since Sheikh Hamdan died. We have a smaller team, and they have a smaller team, but we wanted to keep the best ones and the horses we thought could be winning on days like today.

“I thought Jim gave him a terrific ride on a course that the horse wasn’t totally in love with and it’s days like today that are so important to Shadwell. It’s a wonderful result for Sheikha Hissa and her family as well as Owen, especially with this horse.

“He’s won his Group 1 now so why not have a bit of fun? We thought he might have to go off to Germany to do it, but something like the King George has to be an option for him now.”

Hukum’s triumph came at the expense of last year’s winner Pyledriver, who is also being pointed at the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

William Muir, co-trainer of the five-year-old, said: “He's run a tremendous race. Have we ever made the running – no but he lobbed away in front so you couldn’t make any qualms on that.

“Turning in I’m thinking Hukum is cantering and on his day Hukum was better than us today. We’ve beaten him the last two times and he has beaten us today, there is not a great deal between us.

“He looked fabulous. The King George has now gone through my mind if he goes home and is really well. He's in the Hardwicke but after that and a long break I think we'll go to the King George.”

A step back up in trip is likely for third-placed Manobo, with trainer Charlie Appleby reporting the pace was too quick for the stayer.

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