Walker eyeing possible Hong Kong trip for Almaqam

Almaqam could be set for international assignments the winter after Ed Walker confirmed his Group One star will remain in training next season.

Always held in the highest regard, the son of Lope de Vega broke his Group One duck in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in Ireland earlier this season before coming close to doubling his top-level ally in a thrilling edition of the Juddmonte International Stakes at York, going down by a head to Andrew Balding’s Item.

After finishing fourth in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in his final start of the campaign on home soil, he could now head to Hong Kong in December before further overseas ventures come into view.

Walker said: “He stays in training which is exciting and the amazing thing is the head we were beaten at York, which were gutted about, could have determined whether he was a commercially viable stallion or not.

“It’s great for us and I hope he gets a job at stud one day, but we’re obviously thrilled he’s staying in training and it is why we have leant away from backing up quickly in the Breeders’ Cup next week.

“We are considering international options and it’s not impossible we consider Hong Kong before we wrap him up – we’re just keeping an eye on things.”

Looking ahead to potential targets in 2027, when Almaqam will be a six-year-old entire, the trainer added: “We could start on the Australian route and aim for some big prize-money down there, or head to Dubai for the Sheema Classic – there’s various options for him.

“I do think we will end up campaigning him a bit more internationally than we have done.”