Haatem set for Goodwood test ahead of Royal Ascot
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 19 May 2026
Richard Hannon is confident the Fitzdares Festival Stakes at Goodwood on Friday will provide the “ideal” preparation for Haatem in his bid for more Royal Ascot glory next month.
The Wathnan Racing-owned son of Phoenix Of Spain will make his seasonal reappearance in the 10-furlong Listed contest in West Sussex to get his five-year-old campaign up and running.
Hannon admitted Haatem will come on for the run before another tilt at the Royal meeting, where he is hoping to win for the third successive year following triumphs in the Jersey and Wolferton Stakes.
“He’s in great form. This is his warm-up race before he goes in search of a hat-trick of wins at Royal Ascot three years in a row – that’d be nice,” the Marlborough-based trainer said.
“It’s an ideal race. He could have gone to France, but I prefer Goodwood as it’s only up the road.
“He’s going to need it. He needs his run every year. He’s a big, big horse, but I still think he’s pretty close to being at his best and everyone here is very much looking forward to him running.
“This horse has got a huge following and he’s one of my favourites, so hopefully he can run very well. It’s a nice race, but at the moment he’s definitely running.
“Sean Levey will take the ride because James Doyle is suspended.”
Julie Camacho’s Naqeeb looks to continue his good form at Goodwood following last year’s victory in a similar event. He will carry a penalty for that success.
“He’s in good form and has stepped forward nicely from his reappearance at Ascot,” assistant trainer Steve Brown said.
“We’re very much looking forward to coming back down to Goodwood, where obviously he put up a good performance last year in a Listed race.
“It’s going to be a little bit harder with our penalty, but hopefully he’ll go well and give Niall (O’Keeffe, owner) another good day.”
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