Sheikh Mohammed’s homebred In The Wings was born in Britain, but began his racing career in France under the care of Andre Fabre.
The flashy bay made a successful debut in the June of his two-year-old season and quickly followed up with a win in the Listed Prix de la Huderie. In The Wings took his first Group race on his three-year-old debut, in the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange, before finding his elder counterparts too good in the 1989 G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Returning at four, stronger than ever, In The Wings progressed from a second place in the G1 Prix Ganay to take the G1 Coronation Cup in impressive style at Epsom, swiftly followed by a home win in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
After finishing a creditable fourth in the Arc, he then posted a thrilling win in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Belmont Park, weaving through the field and flying home late to provide his trainer with a first win in the race. He also became Sheikh Mohammed’s second winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, following the victory of the remarkable Pebbles five years earlier.
Retired to stud, In The Wings quickly became one of the most successful stallion sons of Sadler’s Wells at the time, with an impressive 11 per cent of his runners winning at Stakes level. He sired ten G1 winners during his career, including globetrotting superstar and fellow Darley stallion Singspiel, who continued his sire’s legacy for many years.
In The Wings succumbed to laminitis at the age of 18 and is buried at Kildangan Stud.
