Newbury, ENGLAND // Soft Falling Rain suffered the first defeat of his career when second to Princess Haya of Jordan's Gregorian in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes on Saturday.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid's colt, who had seven wins in seven starts, had not raced since winning the Godolphin Mile at Meydan Racecourse on World Cup night, in March, and the long break showed as he beaten by a length and a half.
Mike de Kock had suggested in Dubai that Soft Falling Rain might be a candidate for sprinting honours in Europe but after soft-tissue problems in his back it appears that he will be stepped up in distance for the rest of the season.
"He's been beaten by a Group 1 horse," the eight-time South African champion trainer said. "He's been off the track for 140 days so I have to be chuffed with him.
"Looking at that, he wants a mile and I'll have to discuss plans with the owner."
De Kock stated before the race that the seven furlongs at Newbury was just a building block for later in the season and the former champion juvenile of South Africa is entered in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot in October.
There, he could run into Godolphin's Dawn Approach and Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad's Toronado, both of whom are also entered in the mile Group 1 race.
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
