Varian hoping patient approach will reap dividends with Sallaal
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Mon 10 Aug 2026
Incremental progress remain the watchwords for Roger Varian as he plots a path to the top with Sallaal, with the Newmarket trainer targeting the Group Two Qatar Prix Dollar on Arc weekend as his next step.
Sallaal continued his rise through the ranks adding the Group Three Rose of Lancaster Stakes to impressive wins in an Epsom handicap and the Listed Gala Stakes at Sandown in June and July as his mark has gone from 102 to 119.
While the Frankel gelding holds an entry for the Qatar Racing Champion Stakes at Ascot in October, the Carlburg Stables handler pointed towards a step-by-step approach one level down with his next target the 10-furlong Dollar at ParisLongchamp on October 3.
“We liked his performance at Haydock, he has come out of it well. This horse is all about progress and learning and he is doing a good job of both,” said Varian. “He has some fancy entries further down the line and probably deserves them off his rating.
“While we hope he has further to go I’m not sure we will see the best version of him until next year. He just seems to be a horse we can enjoy for a few years if he stays sound and healthy. So hopefully he will get better and better.
“With that in mind we wouldn’t want to overface him in a rush and we don’t think there is a right spot for him in September, so we might wait a little bit for the next run and send him to the Group Two Dollar on Arc weekend.
“Maybe after that we will think about something international – something like the Bahrain Trophy, but that’s in November. He is a horse that we need to create a plan with and try not to deviate too far away.
“We need to try to stay disciplined with his placement and if we do that we hope he can keep progressing and rewarding us. Hopefully he is a horse that we and owner Sheikh Hamdan can enjoy next year.”
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