Dubbed the 'Prince of Pain' Bahraini boxer Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa is ready to deliver a knockout blow at Royal Ascot today. The Sandhurst-educated military officer, who counts Conor McGregor as a close friend, has splashed millions on his racing operation KHK Racing, with a dream of rivalling the big players of Coolmore, Godolphin and Juddmonte.
He was rewarded last year when ELDAR ELDAROV, named after a world champion MMA fighter, delivered Classic glory in the St Leger at Doncaster. And the Roger Varian trained star looks the one to land a highly competitive Gold Cup (4.20pm)
Shaikh Khalid - whose family is said to be worth around £4.4billion - bought the horse for £550,000 last year and has already recouped that in prize money. Ascot's £340,260 showpiece could further swell those coffers further for a horse that looks perfectly bred for the staying 2m 4f trip on good ground.
