LEGENDARY owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum has removed all his horses from Roger Varian’s yard with immediate effect.
Classic-winning handler Varian revealed the shock news in a statement posted to his website on Monday.
The post read: “I can confirm that Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum has ended his support of my stable.
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“The ten horses that he currently had in training with me departed today.
“I would like to convey my sincere thanks to Sheikh Obaid for all the opportunities that he has given me over the last nine years.
“Together we have had a long and fruitful association, enjoying many wonderful days in Britain – not least at Royal Ascot – and overseas, including seven Group 1s.
“Sheikh Obaid is a passionate and committed supporter of racing across the globe and I wish him and his horses all the best in the future.
“It is important for me to add that myself and the team here at Carlburg remain fully focused on continuing our own successful season.
“Our stable currently houses a top-class miler in Charyn and a British Classic winner in Elmalka, as well as a list of other highly talented horses.
“We are very grateful to all of our owners and look forward to rewarding their ongoing support over the coming months and years.”
The move is a crushing blow coming just two days before the York Ebor Festival, one of the biggest Flat racing weeks of the year.
And it comes just days after billionaire owner the Aga Khan confirmed he had removed all his horses from the French yard of Jean-Claude Rouget.
Sheikh Obaid abruptly pulled his horses from father-and-son training duo Simon and Ed Crisford almost exactly a year ago too.
The split came after a big odds-on shot was thrashed in a race at Sandown.
Sheikh Obaid is one of the biggest owners in the sport and his yellow silks with three black blobs running diagonally down the front are some of the game’s most recognisable.
Among his stable of superstars are top miler Rosallion, awesome sprinter Inisherin and recent Group 3 scorer Elite Status.
Varian has enjoyed a stellar season on the track thanks to the likes of 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka.
But Sheikh Obaid becomes the second big-name owner to leave his yard after football superagent Kia Joorabchian pulled his Amo Racing runners from the stables in May.
That included the likes of Champion Stakes hero King Of Steel, who was ruled out of the season after being found lame following training at Varian’s.
More to follow.
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