Pride flourishing at Nawara Stud as Prince Faisal celebrates another homebred horse, Sajir, becoming a Group 1 champion
Sajir, the Sprinter with a Bright Future
Sajir, a four-year-old Group 1 winning sprinter, has recently triumphed in the prestigious Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, demonstrating his speed and tactical maturity over 1400m[1][3]. The horse, bred by HRH Prince Abdulrahman Al Faisal and trained by Andre Fabre, has shown exceptional form this season, outrunning defending champion Lazzat and other Group 1 winners[3][5].
Currently, Sajir’s immediate future racing plans are undecided. Prince Faisal stated that it is "too early to decide where he runs next," and he will consult with trainer Andre Fabre and jockey Oisin Murphy before making plans[1][2]. Likely autumn targets discussed by connections include replicating his sire Make Believe’s success in the Prix de la Foret and possibly aiming for a slot in the Breeders’ Cup, indicating ambitions for high-profile international races[3][5].
Regarding stud plans, Prince Faisal is already considering Sajir’s future as a stallion given his Group 1 success and pedigree. Sajir is a son of Make Believe, a proven sire standing at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland. Prince Faisal has expressed a preference for Sajir to stand as a stallion outside France and Ireland, possibly in England, to avoid competition near his half-brother and to tap into top racing markets[1][2]. The owner’s experience with Make Believe, which produced multiple black-type winners from his mares, reinforces Sajir’s appeal as a stallion prospect[1][2].
Sajir's victory in the Prix Maurice de Gheest was significant for Prince Faisal and his Nawara Stud operation, as they have a history of top-level victories with horses like Rafha, Invincible Spirit, and Mishriff. Sajir's victory has put behind any past issues from Royal Ascot, where he was withdrawn due to becoming upset in the stalls[4].
Notably, Sajir ran the fastest time for a colt in the Maurice de Gheest, with the only faster time being held by Moonlight Cloud, a filly[6]. He has had a clear run this campaign, having overcome 'niggly abscesses' last year[7]. Sajir has only once been withdrawn from a race, which was at Royal Ascot due to becoming upset in the stalls[4].
Two close relations of Sajir, Nahraan and Eydon, have also won black-type contests this year. Nahraan, an unbeaten Glasgow Stakes scorer, is also by Make Believe and out of a Frankel half-sister to Sajir[8]. The Breeders' Cup Mile is being considered as a possible race for Sajir[9].
Ted Voute, Prince Faisal’s racing adviser, stated that the prince puts a lot of work and thought into his breeding operations[10]. Make Believe is also the sire of Prince Faisal’s Prix du Jockey Club, Juddmonte International, and Dubai Sheema Classic hero Mishriff[11]. Sajir, a homebred off the formidable production line of the Nawara Stud operation, is undoubtedly a horse to watch in the coming months.
