It was a day of high drama and heartfelt pride on the British flat racing scene, with two very different but equally compelling stories capturing fans’ attention. On August 10, 2025, Sajir stormed to an emphatic victory in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, etching his name into the annals of Nawara Stud and Prince Faisal’s storied breeding operation. Just two days later, the Sid Sims, Explosive Staging & Events Classified Stakes at Lingfield delivered its own brand of excitement, as Manila Mist defied the odds to claim the winner’s share of £3,454 in a competitive Class 6 contest.
Let’s start in France, where Sajir—homebred son of Make Believe—delivered a performance that left connections and racing fans alike beaming with pride. Trained by the legendary Andre Fabre, Sajir unleashed a potent turn of foot to repel Group 1 winners Lazzat, Woodshauna, and Regional by upwards of a length and three-quarters. The win marked another feather in the cap for Prince Faisal’s Nawara Stud, whose famed maroon silks have been carried to top-level victories by the likes of Rafha, Invincible Spirit, and Mishriff over the years.
Ted Voute, Prince Faisal’s long-time racing adviser, could hardly contain his delight when speaking about the victory: “The prince had his two sons in London and they watched it from there on the tv. I went to see him yesterday after I got back and he was ecstatic, he puts a lot of work and thought into these families.” Voute went on to highlight the rarity and privilege of being part of such a successful operation: “Most people don’t get these Group 1 winners coming along every couple of years, some wait lifetimes for this. I’ve been really fortunate to be part of this with Mishriff, Make Believe and Belardo, while before I came along there was the likes of Invincible Spirit. It’s been a great run and particularly this year, Eydon won a Group race and we’ve got an exciting two-year-old in Oxagon.”
Sajir’s victory was especially meaningful because of his pedigree. Make Believe, a Ballylinch Stud resident raced by Prince Faisal and Fabre, has produced a string of Group 1 winners, including Mishriff, who has triumphed in the Prix du Jockey Club, Juddmonte International, and Dubai Sheema Classic. Voute explained, “It was particularly satisfying to have a homebred again from Make Believe, the prince has done particularly well with him and hopefully this ensures he gets 100 mares every year as he’s a pretty effective stallion and is not that expensive.”
With Sajir’s star firmly on the rise, plans are already in motion for his future at stud. Voute revealed, “We sat down and during the course of the day we had various enquiries as to whether the prince was interested in selling him. Obviously it’s well-documented that he makes stallions but doesn’t have a big enough broodmare band to smother a stallion with his own mares. He needs to stand the horse somewhere and is willing to keep a part of him, he always says the same thing: ‘put forward the proposals and we’ll choose the best one.’”
The logical move would be for Sajir to stand in England, but Voute was candid about the challenges: “England struggles with that and we have a declining foal crop and declining breeder numbers in this country.” Nonetheless, interest is high, with three enquiries from Ireland, one from England, and another from France. For Prince Faisal, supporting British breeders remains a key consideration.
Sajir’s racing career has been marked by both talent and resilience. He won the Prix Sigy as a three-year-old, finished fourth in the Prix Jean Prat, and captured a second Group 3 in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in April 2025. Overcoming ‘niggly abscesses’ on his hind joint last year, Sajir has bounced back in style. His only blip came when he was withdrawn at Royal Ascot after becoming upset in the stalls—a moment Voute described as “so out of character as he’s such a gentleman.”
Looking ahead, the Prix de la Foret and possibly the Breeders’ Cup Mile are on the table for Sajir, with Voute emphasizing a step-by-step approach: “I think Andre wants to go where Sajir’s father went, the Prix de la Foret, and we’ll put the Breeders’ Cup Mile on the table as a possible. We’ve got to do things step by step.”
The Nawara Stud family’s success doesn’t end with Sajir. Close relations Nahraan (an unbeaten Glasgow Stakes scorer) and Eydon (Aston Park Stakes winner) have also made headlines in 2025. Nahraan, also by Make Believe, is being carefully managed with an eye on the Prix du Prince d’Orange, while Eydon, trained by Andrew Balding, is being considered for a major race in Germany—perhaps a Group 1, if all goes well. “The prince loves the sire line and would love to keep it going, for Eydon to stand at Eydon [Hall Farm in Northamptonshire] he’s got to maybe win one more nice race,” Voute shared.
Meanwhile, back on British soil, the Sid Sims, Explosive Staging & Events Classified Stakes at Lingfield provided its own share of surprises. On August 12, 2025, Manila Mist, a 5-year-old gelding trained by John & Jewell and ridden by R Havlin, defied 25/1 odds to take the win over 1 mile 3 furlongs and 133 yards on good to firm ground. The race, open to horses aged three years and older, saw a field of ten competitors vying for the £3,454 first prize.
Foinix, trained by Suzi Best and piloted by Oisin Murphy, finished a close second, just half a length behind the winner. Gregorians Star, trained by Miss S West and ridden by Charles Bishop, claimed third, 1 1/4 lengths further back. Other notable runners included Rolling Luck (fourth), Yarborough (fifth), and Rohilla (sixth), each bringing their own story of perseverance and hope to the track.
Manila Mist’s victory was a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of flat racing. Having placed twice in 14 starts and wearing cheekpieces for the first time, the gelding found the perfect moment to break through. Foinix, with three previous wins on both good to firm and all-weather surfaces, was a worthy runner-up, while Gregorians Star continued to show promise despite limited flat experience.
The full results from Lingfield reflect the depth and diversity of British racing’s grassroots scene, where every victory is hard-earned and even the most unheralded horses can have their day in the sun. With details of career wins, places, and earnings for the top finishers, fans and connections alike will be poring over the form and dreaming of future glory.
From Group 1 heroics on the continent to underdog triumphs at home, the past week has been a vivid reminder of why the sport of kings continues to captivate. With Sajir’s future sparkling with possibility and new stories emerging from every corner of the racing world, there’s no telling what heights these horses—and their devoted teams—might scale next.
