STUART WILLIAMS HEADS BACK TO QATAR WITH QUINAULT

Newmarket-based trainer Stuart Williams is heading back to Qatar with QUINAULT as his star sprinter goes for the Dukhan Sprint at H.H. The Amir Sword Festival again after finishing third in the race last year.
 

Quinault, a 25,000 guineas purchase at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale in 2022, has won nearly £500,000 in prize money for Williams and owner TJE Racing. The son of OASIS DREAM (GB) has been a consistent improver, reaching a career high rating of 112 from his first official mark of 59.
 

The gelding won 11 races, with 2025 being his most successful season so far highlighted by the placing in Qatar earlier in the year, followed by a Group 3 victory at York and a third place in the Group 1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot Racecourse in October.
 

Williams has also enjoyed a successful 2025 season, achieving his highest strike rate since he began training. Along with Quinault’s achievements, he saddled SHORT FINAL to Group 3 glory in Germany.
 

The trainer spoke to Great British Racing International (GBRI) about the decision to go to Qatar again:
 

“We went there last year and he ran very well. He was a bit fresh after a break so this time I decided to run him at Newcastle in January to get a race in him before going. I was pleased with his race on the five furlongs, which is a bit short of his best distance. He has come out of the race in very good form.”
 

He also spoke about Quinault and the fairy tale story associated with his purchase:
 

“He’s been a superstar for us. A lot of credit goes to the owner Tom Morley who turned down some big offers for him when he was winning early on. The horse has repaid him by winning some really good races and arguably he is still improving.
 

“When he came to us, he was very free and we spent three months working him on the treadmill and getting him to calm down. We started off in races holding him back to get him to settle and he was not into that, so we switched to going forward and he has not stopped improving since.
 

“His best run so far was probably in the Group 1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes last October and we think he’s got a big season in him this year too. We are looking forward to Qatar and I think he will run very well.”