"Everything's still on the table at the moment" - Varian considering options for Sakheer

Varian has hogged the horse racing headlines in recent weeks. First, David Egan rode Eldar Eldarov to victory to Classic glory in the St Leger. This Saturday, Varian saddled seven winners on the afternoon, including a treble at Newbury.

The most high-profile and most impressive of Varian's seven winners came in the Mill Reef Stakes, where Sakheer was sent off as the short-priced favourite. David Egan's mount travelled powerfully throughout, hitting the front with two furlongs to travel before kicking clear to claim his first Group prize by over three lengths.

"The future's bright." Varian told Sky Sports Racing on Sunday. "We were delighted with him yesterday. He's come out of the race very well, by the looks of him this morning."

Much was expected of Sakheer following his £550k purchase at the Arqana breeze-up sales last May and this son of Zoffany is currently living up to that price-tag. Varian's colt holds an entry in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket this coming Saturday, for which a tilt is currently being considered.

"No decision on his next race has been made. Everything's still on the table at the moment. He looks very good and we're looking forward to seeing how his career develops."

"I think he's got every chance of staying beyond six furlongs. I don't think he was showing any signs of stopping at the line yesterday. He seems to be blessed with a very good mind, a good attitude and he's a strong traveller. He's not silly. He's sensible in his races. He's bred to get seven furlongs or a mile and I think his racing style gives him every chance of getting beyond six."

"We'll definitely go beyond six. We can always come back to six if he doesn't stay further. To me he looks like a miler, and that's certainly what we hope he'll be."

Sakheer can currently be backed at 4/1 for the Middle Park Stakes - a price that will shorten rapidly if he is indeed confirmed. William Hill make Varian's budding star their 3/1 favourite for the 2022 Dewhurst Stakes, while also quoting odds of 10/1 for next year's 2000 Guineas.