Almaty

Almaty started his career trained by C Collins, and his first two big wins took place in 1995 with Group 3 wins at The Curragh and Goodwood. The latter win in the Molecomb Stakes was a very impressive performance under Kevin Darley.

Almaty remained winless throughout 1996 for Collins before a transfer to the yard of John Gosden. In May 1997 Almaty won the Holsten Pils Achilles Stakes at Kempton Park where the benefit of a recent race made a big difference as the colt made every yard and easily kicked clear of his year junior rival (and subsequent July Cup winner) Compton Place to shave 0.65sec off the previous best time for this 5f. 

Almaty, who'd finished third in a similar event at Bath and was out of the stalls in a flash under Frankie Dettori, will now try to better last year's third placing in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.His trainer John Gosden observed: "There's no reason why he shouldn't go for the King's Stand again, though I shall have to speak to his owner [Peter Savill] first."You've got to be happy and confident going into a race like that and I feel this horse is really enjoying life at the moment."

A highly regarded horse, Almaty ran in good company, but was not to taste victory until taking a Conditions event at Beverley in September 1998, defeating Bayleaf. This was Almaty's first win for his new trainer, Willie Muir. A week later, the back to form colt finished second to the well backed Bishops Court at Newmarket in Listed company, before getting his head in front at the same course in the Olivier Douieb Memorial Rated Stakes. The race was a typically tight handicap sprint won well by Almaty, who had refound his top form with a vengeance and looked capable of more black type. 

Muir said: "Speaking of his early eseason efforts, Muir commented that like a lot of his older horses, including Averti, he was "just not right. There has never been an injury problem with him and he is as genuine as they come-he can come from off the pace or win making it." 

Afaan had the field off the bridle as he blazed up the far rail and looked the likely winner going to the final furlong with a couple of lengths lead on the field. Given this faster ground, he should soon win off his current mark. 

With Almaty hanging across towards him and Crowded Avenue coming through on that side, it got tight in behind and both Batchworth Belle, who travelled easily with the fast pace, and The Limping Cat were hampered in the last 50 yards, arguably costing them fourth and fifth as the outside runners raced past.

Back on the track on 1999, Almaty finished fourth in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in May, before a Listed second at Kempton, a neck behind the impressive Proud Native.

A poor run in the Kings Stand followed, as did a disappointment at Nottingham in a conditions event won by Ocker.

Almaty next ran at Doncaster inthe Listed Scarborough Stakes and finished 6th to  Flanders , but was only beaten 2 lengths behind a blanket finish. Almaty next ran at Newmarket in the Rous Stakes (Listed) but again was unable to trouble the judge as the impressive Sakha took the honours.