European invader Haatem takes $2M, G3 MintMillions

Stakes recap by Kentucky Downs publicity team (Coady Media photos)

FRANKLIN, KY (September 7, 2026) – Of the horses in trainer Richard Hannon Jr.’s shedrow, Wathnan Racing’s Haatem is the one who has earned the distinction of being the barn’s warrior, a product of his multiple Group winning form and his unfazed demeanor no matter the company around him.

In his first trip stateside, the 5-year-old Irish-bred horse showed the Kentucky Downs faithful just how stalwart he is in the face of a heated battle. Having held his own against some of the best runners on the other side of the ocean, Haatem picked up more international accolades Monday when he emerged from the pack and withstood a late surge from runner-up Lagynos en route to a neck victory in the Grade 3, $2 million Mint Millions Invitational for 3-year-olds and up going one mile at the Franklin, KY track.

The Mint Millions Invitational was one of five stakes carded for Labor Day Monday, the final day of the U.S. Open of Turf Championships. Also run on the blockbuster program was the Grade 2, $1.5 million The Mint Franklin-Simpson, as well as the $1.75 million KTDF Gun Runner, the $750,000 Pepsi Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies, and the $250,000 Lucky Lantern. 

A son of Phoenix of Spain, Haatem has been a fixture at the highest levels in Europe, boasting two wins at Royal Ascot including his triumph in the 2024 Group 3 Jersey. That 2024 season was a highlight for the bay horse as he prevailed in Newmarket’s Group 3 Craven the same year before finishing third behind eventual Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Notable Speech in the Group 1 English 2000 Guineas and second beaten a nose in the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh.

“He’s a bit of a legend. He’s won at Royal Ascot twice,” said Case Clay, Wathnan’s U.S. Racing Manager. “[He] hasn’t been doing as well the last couple of races, but there’s been excuses for that, and the thought here was maybe he’d like Kentucky Downs.”

Racing fortune had not gone Haatem’s way since his victory in the 2025 Wolferton at Royal Ascot as he headed into Monday’s test aiming to snap a five-race losing skid that had mounted since July 2025. Sent off Monday at 9-1 odds in a 10-horse field that featured multiple Grade 1-winner Formidable Man, Haatem and jockey Jamie Spencer were able to make their own luck during the eight-furlong journey after breaking from post 4.

Not the quickest out of the gate, Haatem settled into the fifth position on an inside path as Quatrocento was pressed by Giocoso through the opening quarter mile in 22.78. As Giocoso made his move to take over the lead as the half mile went in 44.38, Haatem moved up to third, a position he held until the stretch run when his back class began to show itself and push him past the two early pacesetters.

“Today, speed has been holding up on the track,” said Spencer, who ended up sweeping the day’s graded stakes when he piloted Take Charge Star to victory in The Mint Franklin-Simpson Stakes one race later. “But I think the best horse wins if they get a good spot.”

Under right-handed urging from Spencer, Haatem found his best stride as they reached the final furlong, emerging from between horses to stamp himself as the new one to catch. He wasn’t alone in his journey to the wire as Lagynos was doing his best running to his outside under Jose Ortiz while Brilliant Berti was finding a seam to run through on the inside lane. The grit Haatem’s trainer so admires ultimately won out as he hit the wire in 1:34.32 over a firm course with Lagynos besting Brilliant Berti by a half-length for second.

“Jamie [Spencer] rode him great,” Clay said. “Put him forward – didn’t break the best, but the plan was to put him forward, not on the lead, but as forward as possible. And he crossed the wire with his ears pricked.”

Though the final outcome wasn’t in Lagynos’s favor, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen was thrilled to see the multiple graded stakes winner showcase his strong form following a pair of fifth-place finishes in his previous two outings. He also finished second in last year’s Mint Millions. 

“Big effort. Second again in it today – less of a margin,” Asmussen said. “But Lagynos is a very special horse. To maintain the form that he has over three, four years, and he keeps giving. And he’s had a wonderful year and another strong run from him today.”

For race favorite Formidable Man, a rare trip outside of his California base did not pay dividends as he finished seventh, his worst effort since running 12th in the 2025 edition of the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park.

“Obviously, for a $2 million dollar purse, we were glad to go ahead and give it a try,” trainer Michael McCarthy said of the beaten favorite. “I thought it was a little quick back for the Del Mar Mile [run on August 22 at Del Mar], so we decided to come here with a little more spacing. He’s had a good couple of days here. It just looked like on the downhill, he was never getting a hold of the racetrack. [Jockey] Flavien [Prat] said he was struggling a little around the turn and just was never able to level off and get his footing.”

Chasing the Crown was fourth followed by Gran Oriente, Facteur Cheval, Formidable Man, Quatrocento, Giocoso, and Mi Bago.

Haatem paid $54.60 on a $5 wager as he improved his career mark to six wins from 22 starts with a bankroll of $1,243,902.

“We’ll just talk to the team and then figure out what would be next for him,” Clay said regarding a next possible start. “He has some options.” 

Live racing resumes on Closing Day Wednesday with a 14-race card, featuring the $750,000 Pepsi Juvenile Mile, the $750,000 Marsh McLennan Bowling Green Gold Cup Invitational, and the Grade 3, $2 million Blackwood Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational.