Sheikh Mohammed purchases star Irish colt Fort Knox

Sheikh Mohammed has added to his classic bow with the purchase of the star Irish colt, Fort Knox, who will be targeted at the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh in just over two weeks' time.

Fort Knox landed a Guineas trial in good style at Leopardstown last month when racing in the colours of English businessman Andrew Tinkler and ridden by Johnny Murtagh.

Tinkler's colours have become a regular feature on Irish racecourses in the last two years after installing a string of horses at a yard on the Curragh owned by Murtagh. Tommy Carmody holds the trainer's licence there.

Fort Knox has an entry in this weekend’s French 2,000 Guineas but Murtagh said yesterday: “He has been bought by Sheikh Mohammed and will carry his maroon colours in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. That’s the race he will be trained for.

“There has been a lot of interest in the horse since he won the last day and it’s great that Sheikh Mohammed has bought him. I’m not sure what happens after the Guineas.”

The Sheikh's investment in Jim Bolger's Dawn Approach last year paid off in spectacular style when the unbeaten colt ran out a five length winner of the English 2,000 Guineas.