Khan Da King wins again! Pakistan’s national flag was proudly paraded in the winner’s enclosure at Dundalk today as sporting 55-year-old Iqbal Khan completed another unforgettable success on Lahore Da King (4/1), in the Gift Vouchers Available Online Handicap. Khan, with 17 winners in his native Pakistan before moving to Ireland 20 years ago, has worked with leading trainers including Willie Mullins and current employer Jim Bolger and, in 2023, resumed his race-riding career on a part-time basis. Having incurred a suspension at Killarney on his sole ride in 2023, Khan bounced back on his family’s Lahore Da King — named in his honour, and having scored last Friday, followed up in some style today. Tucked in behind the leaders, Khan struck for home opting for just three flicks of the whip, with the corinthian rider nonchalantly easing down, to score ‘Kieren Fallon-style’ at the line. Draped in his flag, an overjoyed Khan commented “I was confident, the last furlong went easy and there wasn’t not too much whipping needed - only pushing. I'm very fit and every day I go running. I love horses. "Maybe a ride for Jim Bolger would be great next year! Thank you boss!" Lahore Da King carries the silks of Khan’s son-in-law Mudassar Rafiq, who added "Iqbal is from Lahore and that's why the horse's name is Lahore Da King. He has worked for Jim Bolger for the last 10 years and he rides my horses. "Tony (Mullins, winning trainer) has trained him really well, he gave him a chance a couple of times and he proved that he can still ride. It was a really good ride today, with back-to-back wins so I'm really happy.” Quotes from Michael Graham
