Five-star performer Khafaaq 's six-year spell with the Eight Star Syndicate ended under 7lb apprentice jockey Cian Horgan at Roscommon today, having been claimed following his District Speciality Coffee Claimer success.

Bought from Hamdan Al Maktoum's Shadwell Estate for 5,000 guineas as a three-year old, Khafaaq today notched an eighth success, when racing prominently and comfortably beating Bal De Rio

Khafaaq was later claimed for €8,000 by trainer Pat Martin, but following the race winning trainer Andy Slattery had reported “he's been a great servant and that's eight he has won now for us. Last April I didn't know whether we were ever going to get him back to win a race but he's come back fine.

“If he's claimed he's claimed, he's eight years of age now and we bought him for five grand, and he has won eight races for us.”

He added “he was well in at the weights, I only put him in for eight grand because he has a few issues. The plan was to keep it simple, follow Magnetic North and hit him with one run.

“Cian is coming on nicely and his claim is handy in those races.”

Quotes from Gary Carson