Wathnan Acquires Royal Ascot Hopeful Sandal's Song

Sandal's Song, an intended starter in the June 19 Norfolk Stakes (G2), has become the latest pre-Royal Ascot purchase by Wathnan Racing. The colt, a 25-1 chance with William Hill for the five-furlong juvenile contest, made a striking winning debut May 10 in the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes at Gulfstream Park—a "win and you're in" race for Royal Ascot. His trainer George Weaver brought over Crimson Advocate—also now in Wathnan's ownership—to win the Queen Mary Stakes in 2023. Crimson Advocate herself is also expected to feature at the royal meeting in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2) June 18. A son of Mendelssohn, Sandal's Song was originally sold to Dew Sweepers for $75,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, and he and stablemate Tough Critic, an intended runner in the listed Windsor Castle Stakes, arrived recently at the National Stud near Newmarket where they are boarding ahead of the royal meeting. Case Clay, Wathnan's United States racing adviser, said: "Sandal's Song was impressive in Florida, beating more experienced rivals with something in hand. George and his team have made this journey before, and think this colt's a great candidate for the task ahead. That's good enough for me and we're really looking forward to testing him against the Europeans." Sandal's Song is the second foal out of the unplaced Munnings mare Sandal, a half to graded stakes winners Qurbaan and Qareeb. Wathnan Racing, the ownership name for the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani, have added significantly to their Royal Ascot team in recent weeks, mirroring buying sprees made in 2023 and 2024. The likes of Courage Mon Ami, Gregory, Haatem, and English Oak all scored at the fixture after being bought in the run-up to the meeting. Wathnan, who also have the Karl Burke-trained Naval Light in the frame for the Norfolk Stakes, have recently bought sprinters Lazzat (FR), Flora of Bermuda (IRE), and Night Raider (IRE) for Royal Ascot. In addition, juvenile Humidity was purchased from Cheveley Park Stud and is booked for the Chesham Stakes.