Racing Weekly Issue 14

ISSUE NO. 14 • 31 JANUARY 2019

YOUR RACING DESTINATION

Dettori to Ride Thorkhill Star

D'bai, Dream Castle and Manguzi

IN THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN CROWN PRINCE CUP

STAR ON 4TH NIGHT OF 2019 DWC CARNIVAL

William Buick back in the saddle AS DIVINE IMAGE TARGETS UAE 1,000 GUINEAS

Celebrating the achievements of the industry from all over the world, we are

From all of us at The

proud to be your destination for racing news; bringing you articles from the

Racing Weekly, we

region and beyond of what you need to know about the industry and its way

wish you the very

forward. best!

Seasons have kicked off and others are continuing on from strength to strength with new surprises and exciting new hope that every one does have an opportunity to grow and become in the lead of this industry.

D. Rashed Managing Editor info@racing-weekly.com

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CROWN PRINCE CUP Frankie Dettori will ride Thorkhill Star IN THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN CROWN PRINCE CUP

THUNDER SNOW DUBAI WORLD CUP WINNER THUNDER SNOW SET FOR RETURN

MEYDAN, THURSDAY D'BAI, DREAM CASTLE AND MANGUZI STAR ON 4TH NIGHT OF 2019 DWC CARNIVAL

BAHRAIN THE DARK KNIGHT BAGS LEXUS CUP, FUJAIRA BRIDGE WINS THE IMPORTED

UAE 1,000 GUINEAS WILLIAM BUICK BACK IN THE SADDLE AS DIVINE IMAGE TARGETS UAE 1,000 GUINEAS

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DETTORI TO RIDE THORKHILL STAR IN THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN CROWN PRINCE CUP RACING WEEKLY Rashid Equestrian and horse racing club will stage

local bred or Arabian horses.

one of the biggest race cards of the season this coming Friday afternoon, The Kingdom of Bahrain

As usual, the Crown Prince's Cup will witness the

Crown Prince Cup. Club officials are on their feet

presence and participation of some of the world's

to ensure a beautiful experience for owners,

top jockeys who are keen to lead their candidate

trainers, jockeys and guests.

horses, which will contribute to raising the level of competition and excitement in the race.

With the announcement of the participating horses, the atmosphere of expectations

Where the world famous Italian Frankie Dettori is

and nominations among the participants and

back to Bahrain again for the fourth

followers of the sport of horse racing are running

consecutive season to ride Bright Side of Life for

high, especially that the race will witness the

Victorious in the fourth and Thorkhill Star

participation of elite horses, whether imported,

for Aladyat Racing in the fifth, and will seek to

continue his victories in major races.

who is currently leading the Bahrain jockey ranking list this season.

That in addition to the participation of a number of professional jockeys who have already been racing

The race will also witness the first participation of

in Bahrain, such as Connor Beasley, Brett Doyle

British jockey Josephine Jordan, who will

and the Italian Pierre Convertino next to the

participate in the fifth race under “Pressure Point"

French jockey Gerald Mousse,

for Almohamediya Racing.

DUBAI WORLD CUP WINNER THUNDER SNOW SET FOR RETURN GULF NEWS Dubai: A host of global thoroughbred racing stars,

Defending champion Thunder Snow and his local

including 2018 winner Thunder Snow, are among

Group 1-winning rival North America lead the UAE-

the nominations for the Dubai World Cup card at

based nominations, while American Grade 1

Meydan Racecourse on March 30 this year.

winners McKinzie, Leofric, Seeking the Soul, Audible, Yoshida and star mare Elate are also

Almond Eye, Beauty Generation, Magical,

among the nominations to the 2000m affair.

McKinzie, Santa Ana Lane and Roy H are some of the other big names headlining nominations for

Outstanding Japanese dirt runners like Champions

the $35 million-day (Dh128 million), the richest day

Cup (G1) runner-up Westerlund and 2017 February

in global horse racing.

Stakes (G1) winner Gold Dream add serious intrigue, as does Hong Kong’s popular Pakistan

It features the richest race, the $12 million Dubai

Star. The 2,400m $6 million Longines Dubai

World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1).

Sheema Classic on turf has attracted Japan Cup

(G1)-winning filly Almond Eye, the rising star from

Blue Point, dual Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1)

the land of the rising sun, leading an honour roll of

winner Stormy Liberal and British Champions

Japanese Group 1 winners, including Cheval Grand,

Sprint (G1) winner Sands of Mali.

Lys Gracieux and Rey de Oro. The three Group 2 events on the day have all Hong Kong’s Exultant and Eagle Way, as well as

received purse increases of $500,000: the $2.5-

Ireland’s Magical and US Grade 1 winners Sadler’s

million UAE Derby sponsored by The Saeed &

Joy and Channel Maker add significant depth.

Mohammad Al Naboodah Group, $1.5 million Godolphin Mile sponsored by Mohammad Bin

Hong Kong’s Beauty Generation tops the

Rashid Al Maktoum City — District One and $1.5-

nominations for the 1,800m $6 million Dubai Turf

million Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer

sponsored by DP World (G1), which also has a

Motors.

potent Japanese presence, including 2017 winner and 2018 runner-up Vivlos, Hong Kong Cup (G1)

Dubai Racing Club received 1,440 nominations for

runner-up Deirdre, third in this last year, and

739 horses from 20 countries for the 2019 Dubai

Yasuda Kinen (G1) winner Mozu Ascot.

World Cup day. The first supplementary stage for all races on Dubai World Cup day will close on

Defending champion Benbatl,

Wednesday, February 13, when connections can

Australian Group 1 winner Comin’ Through,

nominate their horse for 0.1% of the prize money

veteran South African Group 1 gelding

of their chosen race.

Marinaresco, St James’s Palace Stakes (G1) winner Without Parole from England and Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) winner Next Shares from America already make this an exciting event to anticipate.

The 1,200m $2.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News (G1), the richest dirt sprint in the world, has attracted nominations from the likes of American champion sprinter Roy H and other top US sprinters Imperial Hint, X Y Jet and Promises Fulfilled, as well as Japanese sprint star Matera Sky and improving local rivals Raven’s Corner and Drafted.

Its turf equivalent, the Al Quoz Sprint sponsored

by Azizi Developments (G1), has seen its purse doubling to $2 million, attracting nominations from some of the top turf sprinters in the world, including multiple Group 1winning Australian sprinter Santa Ana Lane, King’s Stand (G1) winner

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D'BAI, DREAM CASTLE AND MANGUZI STAR ON 4TH NIGHT OF 2019 DWC CARNIVAL ERA Dubai (January 24, 2019)—The fourth meeting of the

James Doyle for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, the

2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan on

son of Dubawi led home a 1-2-3 finish for the owner-

Thursday was a quality affair officially highlighted by

trainer team with his 1¾-length stalk-and-pounce

the 1400m Al Fahidi Fort sponsored by Emirates Global

tally, with Mythical Magic finishing second under Colm

Aluminium (G2) and the 1800m Al Rashidiya (G2)—both

O’Donoghue and Bravo Zolo in a dead-heat for third

$250,000 events on the turf course. The 3-year-olds

under Brett Doyle. Phoenix Thoroughbreds’ Sandeep

hoping to earn their way into the $2.5 million UAE

Jadhav-trained Lansky, Mickael Barzalona aboard, was

Derby (G2) got a course and distance drill earlier in the

the other half of said tie for third.

card in the $100,000 Al Bastakiya Trial. Three additional handicaps with thrilling finishes added

Group 1 winners Comin’ Through, a first Dubai runner

depth to the card.

for Australia-based conditioner Chris Waller, and South Africa’s Marinaresco failed to factor, finishing

$250,000 AL FAHIDI FORT (Group 2)

seventh and ninth. Top Score was fifth, Championship

The Al Fahidi Fort, with multiple Group 1 and Group 2

sixth and Another Batt eighth, while the order of finish

winners, was the most complex event of the evening,

astern Marinaresco was completed by Portamento,

but D’Bai made it look simple. Confidently ridden by

Janoobi, Degas and Intisaab.

Last year, the Al Fahidi Fort was won by the same

Godolphin were responsible for six of the nine runners

connections with Jungle Cat, who subsequently went

in the 1800m Al Rashidiya sponsored by Emirates

on to land the 1200m Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on the

Global Aluminium (G2) and promptly supplied the first

Dubai World Cup card.

four home with Saeed bin Suroor trio Dream Castle, Leshlaa and Racing History chased home by Charlie

“He seems to thrive out here, but ultimately the first

Appleby’s Group 1 winner Blair Castle.

time is the time to catch him,” Doyle said. “From a slightly awkward draw, I ended up in an awkward

Victorious three weeks ago on the first night of the

position, but thankfully I had cover all the way. I

Carnival when impressive winner of the Singspiel

probably pressed the panic button a bit soon, because

Stakes (G3) over the same course and distance, the 5-

from where I was I couldn’t really. I knew Janoobi was

year-old Dream Castle—a son of the great Frankel

out there and we had beaten him last year. In five

—has now won both his starts since being gelded,

strides we were in front. Full credit to the horse, as he

having only tasted victory once before on debut.

likes to be delivered a bit later than that and I am sure

Ridden, as he was three weeks ago, with supreme

we will probably do that next time.”

confidence by Christophe Soumillon, he quickened impressively to lead 400m out and put the race to bed

Appleby added: “This was (D’bai’s) first run and I was

in a few strides.

pleased with his preparation. Seven furlongs is probably his ultimate trip. We were confident coming

In doing so, he emulated stable companion Benbatl,

in that he was fit and ready and this was a good trip to

who won both the Singspiel Stakes and this race last

get him started. We could drop him back six furlongs,

year with his 2018 carnival ending with a $6 million

but he’s probably horse who will wind up going

Dubai Turf (G1) victory on the Dubai World Cup card.

internationally again. He could just do one Dubai run and then look toward Europe and Australia.”

Leshlaa (Pat Cosgrave up) and Racing History (Kevin Stott) finished well in tandem, while Blair House

O’Donoghue was pleased with the effort of Mythical

(James Doyle) was slightly disappointing in fourth,

Magic: “It was a very smooth run. There was a good

considering his victory in the Jebel Hatta (G1) last

pace and he settled and was travelling beautifully. He

March on Super Saturday and superb Group 1 form in

quickened up well and galloped all the way to the line.

Australia in the autumn. The order of finish was

He had no problem stepping up in trip. He and the

completed by the Fawzi Nass-trained pair of Group 3

winner are both nice horses.”

winner Euginio and Grade 1 winner Deauville, First Contact, Bay of Poets and Arod.

“It was a perfect run,” echoed Brett Doyle of Bravo Zolo. “He travelled around well and quickened up well.

“Today I was drawn well, the pace was good enough

He ran right to the line and will improve for the run.”

for us and in the last turn, I was focusing on the horse leading, who was going really well,” Soumillon said.

Barzalona added of Lansky: “He ran a good race for his

“When I saw James (Doyle on Blair House) couldn’t

first time out here. He travelled well, he led the race (in

follow him, I picked up on the inside and my horse

mid-stretch) and then (D’bai) just got ahead in the last

reacted really well. I know he likes to have horses in

hundred metres. It was a great race.”

front of him, as you can see. I was travelling really easily and when I asked him and hit the front, he

$250,000 AL RASHIDIYA (Group 2)

looked around for a few strides and then he gave me a really nice turn-of-foot again. He has changed a lot

(from winning the Group 3 Singspiel on Jan. 3) and was

Cosgrave and Stott were both pleased with their mounts.

more speedy today. His action is more smooth and he can still improve on that one. His performance today was

“It was a true-run race,” Cosgrave said. “He is fit and well

lovely and he can be a horse for Godolphin for Dubai

and was ready for tonight. I hope he has improved from

World Cup night, that is for sure.”

tonight, but I was very happy with the run.”

Bin Suroor added: “It was good for (Dream Castle) today to

Stott added: “He’s a very genuine horse. He has his few

run well again. He ran very well last time (winning the

problems, but he loves it out here with the sun on his

Group 3 Singspiel on Jan. 3). The horse is doing very well

back. Fair play to the horse. He’s run really well today and

and I like the way he finished his race. He was more

last time (when second in the Group 3 Singspiel on Jan. 3).

relaxed today and showed a good turn of foot. He’s a good

Hopefully he now he can go up a few pounds and be able

horse for the future. He does this when he works in the

to run Super Saturday or (Dubai) World Cup night.”

morning. Leshlaa and Racing History finished second and third—that’s good form today. Sheikh Mohammed will

$100,000 AL BASTAKIYA TRIAL (3-year-olds)

make the decision (on where he runs next).”

The inaugural $100,000 Al Bastakiya Trial sponsored by

Emirates Global Aluminium over the same 1900m dirt

for a young horse like him to make up so much ground.

course and distance as the UAE Derby and went to

The winner took off when arrived at the entrance to the

Manguzi who, from his draw in stall three, was able to get

straight and at that time, I had to push him hard to focus.

to the front and dictate an optimal trip under Fernando

He ran really well and he’s good for the future.”

Jara for trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi and owner Ahmad Al

Victory Command, 12½ lengths astern the runner-up,

Shaikh.

finished well for third under Royston Ffrench, while Argentine Group 1 winner Grecko, carrying a hefty

The 3-year-old Planteur colt arrived in the UAE as a

penalty of 62kg—giving away between 4.5-7kg to his rivals

maiden after three outings for George Scott before

—ran respectably in fourth under Pat Cosgrave.

making his local debut a winning one in a 1400m Jebel Ali maiden in December, defeating older horses. He was then

“I’m very pleased with the run,” Ffrench said. “Obviously

second to the exciting Walking Thunder in the 1600m UAE

he wasn’t drawn very well (in post 13 of 14) and they did go

Guineas 2000 Trial 13 days later and again wheeled back 14

quite quick. I was a little out-paced early, but he ran on

days later to win this over Godolphin’s hard-charging

strong and will improve for the run.”

Estihdaaf and Christophe Soumillon. Both Al Rayhi and Saeed bin Suroor, who trains the runner-up, were pleased

Cosgrave added: It was a very good run. He was forced to

with their horses.

run back for a little while and he had a lot of weight (62kg) on his back. He will come forward. I am very happy with

“He ran a good race,” Al Rayhi said. “He doesn’t like

the run.”

kickback, so I told Fernando to go to the front and stay in the inside three paths, then with two furlongs to go, to tell

Superior, Tone Broke, Obeyaan, Raayan, Al Seel Legacy’s,

him to go and he did.”

Shanty Star, Alla Mahlak, Bila Shak, Alda’iya and Iskandarani completed the order of finish.

“On the turf last time, he didn’t run well, but his breeding is better on the dirt and today he showed that,” Bin Suroor

Remainder of Card

added.

UAE Champion Jockey, Tadhg O’Shea, opened his 2019 Carnival account when never headed aboard local

Jara, having his first Carnival win of 2019, was pleased: “I

debutant Mazzini in the opening EGA Billets Trophy, a

think he is a nice horse and he has been doing really good

1000m turf handicap in which he upset top weights Hit

at home. His last race was a good race, but I thought this

the Bid and Faatinah, from Ireland and Australia,

was even better for him. (Al Rayhi) told me to be in good

respectively. Purchased for 90,000gns at Tattersalls in

position and it was better to be inside. The horse broke

October, the 6-year-old gelded son of Exceed And Excel

good and was traveling so easy. He is still young, so

completed a 1-2 finish for his sire while having his first

hopefully he’ll keep improving. At the end, I was looking

start for trainer Fawzi Nass, who owns the horse in

around and getting a little bit worried, but he responded

partnership with Ahmed Al Qattan.

well.”

O’Shea said: “It was a nice spare ride for me and, luckily, I Soumillon expects even more improvement from the

could do the light weight of 53kg which stable jockey Adrie

runner-up, whose pedigree—a son of Arch out of a

de Vries cannot. We flew out of the gates, so with so little

Ghostzapper mare—lends itself to the sandier surface:

weight and on a horse we know stays further, I was more

“He ran really well, but he didn’t jump very quickly. I had

than happy to be positive. We did not really see another

to put him in the race. We had a good race, but I think if I

horse, but when (Hit the Bid) came to challenge, my fellow

was holding the lead, he would get it today. It’s very hard

just found a bit more.”

Well away from stall one under Richard Mullen, Saltarin

mark as he won the Curlin Handicap last year and, from

Dubai made very post a winning one with a smooth

stall one, I hoped we could get the lead. We had a nice

success in a 2000m dirt handicap, the EGA Jebel Ali

breather down the back so I was happy to commit for

Trophy. Trained by Satish Seemar for Sheikh Mohd bin

home leaving the home turn and he ran on well.”

Khalifa Al Maktoum, the 6-year-old gelded son of E Dubai was given a great ride by Mullen who, having set a modest

The concluding 2410m turf handicap, the EGA Al

early tempo, skipped clear leaving the home turn and

Taweelah Trophy was won with a stealthy forwardly

stayed on strongly to register a second course and

placed ride by James Doyle on Godolphin’s recently

distance victory following as last year’s Curlin Handicap

acquired Spotify, who held off a hard-charging and well-

(Listed) in March. A Group 1 winner in his native

seasoned Sharpalo in second. Appleby trains the winner.

Argentina, back in June 2016, he initially arrived in the UAE with Mike de Kock before joining Seemar.

"That was a very pleasing as a first run of the season and with a new horse for us,” Doyle said. “I was always pretty

Mullen said: “He is a horse who always takes two or three

happy out in front and then, when I asked him, he has

runs to show his best, because he is not the easiest to get

quickened away nicely. He was getting a bit tired in the

fit, as he is so laid back at home. We were pretty hopeful

final 100m, but was always holding on gamely."

coming here tonight, because he was back on the same

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THE DARK KNIGHT BAGS LEXUS CUP GULF DAILY NEWS

Inclination, owned by Al-Afoo Racing Stable, trained by Mohammed Saeed and ridden by Abdulla Faisal, beat Sahara by three lengths to win the Lexus Cup for imported horses

THE Dark Knight and Fujaira Bridge claimed the two

carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 Impressive

richest races at yesterday’s horse racing at Rashid

Day was third and Medicean Ballet fourth.

Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir.

Waridat, owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla The Dark Knight, owned by Victorious, trained by Alan

Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and ridden

Smith and ridden by Gerald Mosse, beat Henry The

by Andrew Elliott, beat Blue Angel by half-a-

Horse by a head to claim the Lexus Cup for locally

length to win the handicap race carrying a

bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD3,000 Emoji

cash prize of BD2,000 Blues Guitar was third

finished third and Munjiz fourth.

and Magsood fourth.

Fujaira Bridge, owned by Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al

Kuheilaan Aafas 1708, owned by Victorious,

Khalifa, trained by Jaber Ramadhan and ridden by

trained by Yousif Taher and ridden by Abdulla

Robert Tart, beat Northern Thunder by a head to

Faisal, beat Al Jellaby 1661 to win the rFatees

claim the Lexus Cup, a handicap race, which also

Al Hajeri Cup for Arabian horses carrying a

carried a cash prize of BD3,000 London Look was

cash prize of BD1,500 Al Hamdaany 1680 was

third and The Nazca Lines fourth.

third and Al Jellaby 1656 fourth.

Tamaady, owned by Fateel Brothers Syndicate,

Saheel, owned by Al Awlad Syndicate, trained

trained by Salah Mahdi and ridden by Abdulla Faisal,

by James Naylor and ridden by Brett Doyle,

beat Likethelook by one-and-one-fourth-lenght to

edged out Rahya by short head to win the

win Lexus Cup for imported horses carrying a cash

Lexus Cup for locally horses carrying a cash

prize of BD2,000Â Shesaidyes was third and Al

prize of BD2,000 Nodisasgoodaswink was

Mooriyaat fourth.

third and Mulzuma fourth.

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WILLIAM BUICK BACK IN THE SADDLE AS DIVINE IMAGE TARGETS UAE 1,000 GUINEAS

Divine Image, who seeks to provide Charlie

RACING POST William Buick has his first rides of 2019 at Meydan

since its introduction in 2001.

on Thursday when he partners Divine Image for

Appleby said of the Scat Daddy filly: “She was very

Charlie Appleby in the Listed UAE 1,000 Guineas

impressive at Chelmsford and this race has always

(3.05).

been the plan, although the UAE Oaks trip will

Appleby with a first win in the race, was an impressive winner of her only start, a mile novice on the all-weather at Chelmsford last month, but this race has been dominated by fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, who has won it ten times

probably suit her better later on. Obviously she Buick, who picked up a six-week ban in Hong Kong

needs to transfer that form to dirt but she works

in December after being deemed guilty of reckless

well on it and is a very nice filly.”

riding on Pakistan Star in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase last month, has four rides on the six-race

Saeed Bin Suroor saddles Christophe Soumillon's

card.

mount Dubai Beauty, who was bitterly NOMADIC

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disappointing in the 7f UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial four

Raven’s Corner, who won that race, has been ruled

weeks ago when sent off hot favourite. She failed to

out after a minor setback, meaning the Watson

beat a single rival.

duo appear to hold leading claims with Hitchcott aboard My Catch this time.

That trial was won by Al Hayette, who is owned and trained by Ismail Mohammed, but she has drawn

Watson said: “Hopefully we have two good chances

the widest stall in 15 which could be problematic.

in what looks, despite the small field, a competitive renewal. Both mine are in good form at home.

Catch me if you can “A lower draw would have been preferable for My No horse has won the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint

Catch who likes to get on with things, while

(2.20) twice, a statistic the Doug Watson-trained

Drafted should be staying on late.”

defending title holder, My Catch, will try and defy in the 6f feature on dirt.

Back for Moore

As well as combining to land the spoils last year,

Ryan Moore is in action at the track for the first

Watson and Pat Dobbs also won the race in 2017

time this season and he partners Switzerland for

with Cool Cowboy and, perhaps significantly, the

Steve Asmussen, trainer of the 2008 Dubai World

jockey deserts My Catch to partner stable

Cup winner Curlin. A dual Grade 3 winner,

companion, Drafted.

Asmussen’s charge needs to defy a penalty if he is to be successful.

My Catch has run just once this season when he seemed to pay the price for helping set a furious

"It’s a good spot for him," Asmussen said. "I hope

early gallop in the Group 3 Dubawi Stakes over this

he handles the circumstances of the race and runs

course and distance, losing second in the final

well; that’s what we’re expecting. I’m very pleased

furlong to Drafted who was staying on strongly

with how he shipped over there and he has worked

under Sam Hitchcott.

great over the racetrack."

NOMADIC

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18

SECRET AMBITION TAKES GROUP 3 JEBEL ALI MILE

Seeking a third win in the race, Forjatt then

ERA The biggest race of the Jebel Ali season, Friday

mount gaining quickly in the closing stages,

afternoon’s Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile, proved ultra-

for Mullen.

threatened on the outside while last year’s winner, Shamaal Nibras, was stuck in traffic behind Rocket Power and Behavioral Bias, finally extricated by Pat Dobbs inside the final 150m. However, Secret Ambition was not for catching, despite Dobbs’ providing Seemar a fifth Jebel Ali Mile, but a first

competitive with five of the nine runners holding realistic claims at the 200m pole, where Secret

A delighted Mullen, sporting the green and yellow

Ambition was charging for home under Richard

checked silks of Nasir Askar, said: “It was about

Mullen. Rocket Power, seeking a fourth

time I had a bit of luck in this race and I have

consecutive Jebel Ali victory and fifth in total

picked the right one today, so it is great to get a

having won at Meydan last Saturday, loomed as a

win in what is a big race here in the UAE. He has

serious challenger, as did local debutant Behavioral

looked marvellous all season, but has had a few

Bias, like Secret Ambition trained by Satish Seemar.

problems with the stalls and everything fell into

NOMADIC

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place today. I am delighted for the whole team at

delighted when I found out I was riding him again

Zabeel Stables and for the owner who is a great

because he loves Jebel Ali and stays well as he has

supporter of the yard.”

done today.”

Trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri for Galaxy Racing,

Third on Galles, Royston Ffrench then went two

Kunani won at the second consecutive Jebel Ali

places better in the 1000m conditions contest

meeting and third time at the course this season

aboard High On Life, completing a quick double

when leading in the final 100m of the opening

for Jadhav. Again, only five runners took their

1800m handicap. The maximum field allowed, 16,

chance and, having blazed from the stalls, High On

may have gone to post, but very few were ever in

Life was soon in front with most of his rivals in

contention with Jazirat setting what looked a

trouble at halfway. An 8-year-old Invincible Spirit

generous gallop before being headed by Arroway

gelding, he was headed briefly by Yard Line, but

500m out, about the same time as Kunani loomed

was soon back in front and never looked likely to

into the picture under Ben Curtis. A 1400m winner

be caught, always holding the late challenge of

at the very first meeting of the campaign in late

Shajjy, seeking to complete a double for Al Mheiri

October, he was successful over 1600m two weeks

and Curtis.

ago and stayed on strongly over the extra 200m to pass Arroway in the final 100m.

“This is another of our horses who loves it here at Jebel Ali,” Jadhav said. “He is much better on a

Curtis, aboard for all three victories, said: “The wide

straight track, as he showed winning on the turf at

draw was actually an advantage with this horse

Meydan, but does not handle the bend there on

because he does not like being crowded, but has

the dirt track.”

plenty of pace to be able to get a good position. He has been kept busy, but clearly loves it here at Jebel

Ffrench added: “He made my job easy because he

Ali.”

is a horse with so much tactical speed and has done that pretty easily.”

Denied aboard Arroway, Xavier Ziani only had to wait 30 minutes for compensation when partnering

Pinter became the third winner from a fortnight

stable companion Bois De Boulogne to victory for

ago to follow up, comfortably taking the 1400m

Sandeep Jadhav in the 1950m conditions race which

handicap under Antonio Fresu, riding for Erwan

followed. In a field of just five, the winner’s stable

Charpy.

companion Galles made much of the running, skipping clear fully 1300m out, but powerless to

Having settled him in midfield, Fresu switched the

thwart the challenge of Ziani’s mount passing the

7-year-old Exceed and Excel gelding to the centre

200m pole. Dobbs and Dehbashi tried to bridge the

of the track to make his challenge and they swept

gap, but the post appeared in time for Bois De

clear for a third consecutive Jebel Ali meeting

Boulogne.

victory. A month ago, the pair won over this 1400m, at the previous meeting over 1200m.

Jadhav said: “It was only a small field, so we thought both ours had good chances and they have both

Charpy said: “He is just a lovely horse, not the

run very well at a course that suits them.” Ziani

e and a big thank you to Satish and all his team.”

added: “I know this horse very well, so was NOMADIC

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NOMADIC

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The concluding 1200m maiden produced a

Archipenko horse, he was always prominent on the

comfortable winner in the form of Atta Alla, a

far side before quickening clear at the 400m pole

belated first winner of the season for Jesus Rosales

to make start number 13 a lucky one.

riding for Rashed Bouresly. A 6-year-oldÂ

NOMADIC

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NOMADIC

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22

'SHE'S HERE!' SONGBIRD, ARROGATE PRODUCE KENTUCKY-BRED FILLY

who retired after that year's Breeders' Cup Classic.

Come Monday morning?

"She's here!" Timber Town announced, calling the offspring "a beautiful filly."

"Songbird is a fantastic mother and both she and her foal are doing well," they added.

HORSE RACING NATION We're years out from discovering how successful

Songbird, who was campaigned by Rick Porter's

the pairing of first-time breeders Songbird and

Fox Hill Farm, won 13 of her 15 career starts.

Arrogate will play out on the racetrack. In the

Arrogate meanwhile became a breakout performer

meantime, there's a newly born filly being enjoyed

the second half of of his 3-year-old season,

by the Timber Town Stable staff in Lexington, Ky.

taking the 2016 Travers Stakes in record time to begin an impressive streak of victories that ended NOMADIC

Mandy Pope, who purchased the champion

with his last-to-first Dubai World Cup effort.

Songbird for $9.5 million at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton

Arrogate stands at Juddmonte Farms for an

November Sale, arranged the date with Arrogate,

advertised fee of $75,000.

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MONEY BURNS OPPOSITION IN ABU DHABI FEATURE

the 4-year-old filly, the youngest runner in the race and receiving weight from all her eight rivals, was harried throughout by ES Ajeeb, the pair stalked by Wadeeaa, winner of the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 on her

ERA Racing at Abu Dhabi on Sunday was

previous start.They swung slightly wide off

highlighted by a quality renewal of the 1200m

allowing Wadeeaa to draw virtually level on

Group 3 Al Ruwais and RB Money To Burn was

the inside, but once in the straight, the Eric

able to defend her unbeaten record in a

Lemartinel trainee ran on strongly to deny

thrilling renewal of a race contested at a

Wadeeaa who was closing fast in the

searing pace.

final100m. However, Veron’s mount, owned by

the bend, taking ES Ajeeb with them and

Sheikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan, clung Sent straight to the front by Fabrice Veron,

on grimly to add to her debut victory in a

1400m maiden on the Al Ain dirt and 1600m success in

“That is another good result for us all and, as I have

the Listed Abu Dhabi Championship six weeks ago.

said many times, Ernst is a very good trainer and, in Tadhg, we have the champion jockey, so I have a good

Veron said: “She was very relaxed this evening and has

team behind me.

shown a lot of natural speed to win again, but anything she achieves this season is a bonus because she is

The action kicked off with a 1600m maiden restricted

going to be a lovely filly for the next campaign. She has

to horses foaled in the UAE and AF Al Aassi was able to

shown a very good attitude tonight because both ES

make it third time lucky for the same trio. Settled in

Ajeeb and Wadeeaa are very good horses and threw

third, just behind the leaders, the 4-year-colt,

down serious challenges, but she really stuck her neck

homebred by Al Nabooda, was sent for home 350m out

out to hold on gamely.”

and was always holding the late challenge of Blue Diamond.

The main support race, the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Gold Cup, a 1600m contest carrying Prestige status,

“We had two nice colts in the race and luckily I picked

was won in determined fashion by the gallant 9-year-

the right one who I thought probably had a bit more

old, AF Al Hazer, a third winner on the card, after four

stamina and that proved to be the case, but the other

races, for the always feared Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda,

one, AF Al Kal Noor, has finished third, so it is a great

Ernst Oertel and Tadhg O’Shea combination. Settled

result for the stable and Mr Al Nabooda. My fellow ran

behind the early leader, Shaheer, they took up the

very well on debut when second here over 1400m and

running when that rival weakened 300m out and

was then fourth, over the same course and distance, in

always looked likely to score and register a fifth victory

the Abu Dhabi Colts Classic, so was dropping in class

for the horse on just his second outing of the

today.”

campaign having failed to land a blow in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 a fortnight ago, his first start

Connections immediately doubled up, combining to

since finishing third in this race last year.

take the following 2200m maiden with Daana who, from 14 previous starts, had twice finished both second

It was actually his first win since early January 2014

and third, but made no mistake on this occasion.

when, over the same 1600m, he landed the Listed

Settled nearer last than first by O’Shea, the 6-year-old

Arabian Triple Crown R1, but he has run some fine

mare could be spotted making stealthy progress down

races in defeat, including when third in the 2017 Group

the back straight before encountering traffic on the

1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on the dirt, a surface he

home turn, forcing the champion jockey to pull her

has not won on, at Meydan.

wide. Once in the clear they swept to the front nearing the 200m pole, staying on strongly to deny Laheeb Al

O’Shea said: “It has been a great evening for us all and,

Reef who was finishing fast and late under Gerald

as I said earlier, Ernst and his team have the horses at

Avranche, but the line appeared just in time for Daana.

the top of the game and I am very fortunate to be riding them for him and Mr Al Nabooda who deserves

“Ernst has had his horses in great form all season,”

this success as he puts a lot into the game. That is

O’Shea said. “I am lucky to have this retainer with Mr Al

actually the first time I have ridden this horse and he

Nabooda who has so many nice horses and the right

has always been a nice horse who has competed in top

man training them. Daana has really enjoyed running

company for several years. It was nice to finally get on

through horses we discovered, so I was content to

him, especially to win a nice prize.” Al Nabooda added:

bide my time and, apart from briefly being short of

room, it all went pretty smoothly.”

Ahmad bin Harmash and stable jockey, Connor Beasley, continued their fine seasons with the comfortable

Dassan Da registered an emphatic victory in the 1600m

victory of Sa’Ada, opening her account on career start

handicap restricted to horses in private ownership,

11, her ninth UAE outing. One of two 4-year-old fillies

taking up the running 450m out before powering clear

among the 14 runners, the daughter of Bellamy Road

under Emirati apprentice Saeed Al Mazrooei. Trained

finished her first local campaign with a fourth place

by Helal Al Alawi for Khalid Mohd Rahma Al Shamsi, it

finish in the Group 3 UAE Oaks, but disappointed on

was a third career victory for the 7-year-old and second

her first two outings this season before chasing home

in the UAE having won a virtually identical handicap last

Draco in a conditions race at Jebel Ali.

February, as well as a 2100m victory on an all-weather surface in Europe back in June 2016.

Most recently she was fourth in a 1600m maiden on the turf at Meydan and Beasley, sporting the predominantly

“We had a wide draw, but that has suited me as this

green silks of syndicate Al Bait Mutawahed Team, said:

horse does not like to be crowded,” Al Mazrooei said.

“She ran very well at Jebel Ali two starts back and was

“He has travelled so strongly throughout the race I was

probably unlucky the last day at Meydan. She was

pretty confident from a long way out and that was a

always travelling well this evening and then quickened

good performance.”

when I asked her. This 1600m is plenty sharp enough for her and she can hopefully build on this step back up

The only Thoroughbred race and event on the card was a 1600m maiden, which concluded proceedings and

in trip.”