ISSUE NO. 16 • 20 FEBRUARY 2019
YOUR RACING DESTINATION
WINSTAR FARM
MUNTAZAH SETS FIREBREAK ABLAZE
ONE-TWO FOR THE KINGDOM
COULD HAVE THREE HORSES IN DUBAI WORLD CUP
TOPS EVENING OF DOMINANT PERFORMANCES
AS AL NABOODHA’S AF MAHER FINISHES THIRD
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DUBAI WORLD CUP WINSTAR COULD HAVE THREE HORSES IN DUBAI WORLD CUP
MUBTAAHIJ G2 UAE Derby winner, MUBTAAHIJ TO STAND IN ARGENTINA
MEYDAN, THURSDAY MUNTAZAH SETS FIREBREAK ABLAZE, TOPS EVENING OF DOMINANT PERFORMANCES
SIMON CRISFORD CRISFORD HOPES TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK
SHARJAH ONE-TWO FOR THE KINGDOM AS AL NABOODHA’S AF MAHER FINISHES THIRD
4
WINSTAR COULD HAVE THREE HORSES IN DUBAI WORLD CUP BLOOD HORSE WinStar president and CEO Elliott Walden has
Midway, campaigned by WinStar and Don Alberto
confirmed the operation plans to possibly start three
Stable, exits a game win in the San Pasqual Stakes
horses it co-owns in the March 30 Dubai World Cup
(G2) over McKinzie. Audible, with the same
Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan.
ownership group as Yoshida, won last year's
Candidates include Bill Mott-trained Yoshida, Jerry
XpressBet Florida Derby (G1).
Hollendorfer-trained Battle of Midway, and Todd
"We're looking at (running) all three," Walden
Pletcher-trained Audible.
confirmed Feb. 13. "(Yoshida and Battle of Midway)
WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Head of Plains
are definite. I'll speak to Todd after Audible works
Partners, and Starlight Racing's Yoshida, a grade 1
this weekend."
winner on turf and dirt, was fourth in November's
While WinStar alone is a powerful owner, which was
Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), finishing a stride shy of
never more evident than when its Well
passing 2018 Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow.
Armed brought the curtain down on Nad Al Sheba in
Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Battle
the 2009 Dubai World Cup, aligning itself with
of
power
players such as China Horse Club, Starlight Racing,
high-profile events like Royal Ascot, Breeders' Cup,
Sol Kumin (Head of Plains Partners), and Don Alberto
and Pegasus. WinStar, China Horse Club, Head of
Stable has allowed the burgeoning operation to
Plains Partners, and Starlight were also the four
consistently be part of the classics as well as other
owners of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify
MUBTAAHIJ TO STAND IN ARGENTINA TDN Mubtaahij (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), winner of the GI
with the opportunity to repeat the agreement we
Awesome Again S. and of the G2 UAE Derby, will
had made some years ago with UAE Triple Crown
begin his stallion career at Haras Abolengo, one of
winner Asiatic Boy (Arg) (Not for Sale) and, after
the most important argentinian farms, the same
studying the horse we reached an agreement that
farm that bred champion and successful stallion
will allow us to incorporate in our stallion barn a
Candy Ride (Arg) (Ride the Rails).
horse with excellent running power and great
Mubtaahij will join Abolengo’s stallion roster in
ability,” said Julio Menditeguy, owner of Haras
association with his owner Sheikh Mohammed Bin
Abolengo.
Khalifa Al Maktoum, who will support him with his
Mubtaahij will stand along John F. Kennedy (Ire)
broodmare band in Argentina.
(Galileo {Ire}), Long Island Sound (War Front), Equal
“Alejandro García Romero, manager of Sheikh
Stripes (Arg) (Candy Stripes) and Cosmic Trigger
Mohammed Bin Khalifa in Argentina, presented me
(Arg) (Sunray Spirit), the latter an undefeated halfbrother to Candy Ride.
8
MUNTAZAH SETS FIREBREAK ABLAZE, TOPS EVENING OF DOMINANT PERFORMANCES ERA Thursday’s Gulf News-sponsored seventh
could be in the future. A first win in the race for
evening of the 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival
both Doug Watson and Sheikh Hamdan bin
included a pair of stylishly won Group 2
Rashid Al Maktoum’s retained jockey Jim
$250,000 events, but it was the Group 3
Crowley, the 6-year-old son of Dubawi broke
$200,000 Firebreak Stakes and a blowout
well from his outside draw and settled into a
performance by Muntazah that arguably burned
handy position for the first half of the race. The
the brightest on the night that set alight Dubai
early pace was fast enough, with Heavy Metal
World Cup hopes for the Doug Watson trainee.
pushed to the lead by Mickael Barzalona. He was
A pair of handicaps that could have Super
tracked by Satish Seemar’s Behavioral Bias and
Saturday implications, a Group 2 Purebred
Secret Ambition with opening sectionals of
Arabian affair and an eye-catching run in the
24.23 (400m) and 46.58 (800m).
inaugural Meydan Trophy completed the septet
Behavioral Bias challenged Heavy Metal for the
of thrilling Thursday fixtures.
lead around the bend looking comfortable but
$200,000 FIREBREAK STAKES (GROUP 3)
stopped quickly as Muntazah, always in control,
Having finished third behind North America in
cruised past the leader into the home straight
the Al Maktoum Challenge R1 (G2) on Jan. 10,
(after 1200m in 1:11.52) and kicked away to win
Muntazah got back to winning ways with an easy
by an impressive 4½ lengths in a final time of
victory that hinted that a try at longer distances
1.38.21.
Secret Ambition ran on well in second, with
Secret Ambition.
beaten favourite and 2018 winner Heavy Metal
“He’s a horse who’s very tough,” said Mullen “I
in third. Well-regarded Watson trainee Kimbear
was happy from his stall to be on the inside. I
was fourth.
don’t have the gate speed of Heavy Metal, but I
Muntazah has now won twice in the UAE including a Listed win at Abu Dhabi last year and a runner-up finish in the Godolphin Mile (G2) of 2018 behind Heavy Metal, finishing ahead of Secret Ambition and Kimbear. “He showed last year that he has a lot,” Crowley said. “I thought he was a bit unlucky in the Godolphin Mile and that was his first time on dirt. Obviously, the Dubawis love (the dirt). I was a little bit disappointed with him first time
tried to force the issues as best I could. I was quite happy. I always had enough horse and I was beaten fair and square by a good horse. This horse has come on and hopefully we can make up a little ground and be good enough to run in the Godolphin Mile.” Seemar added: “(Secret Ambition) was giving a kilo more this time, but other than that, he ran well. That’s the difference a kilo can make sometimes in this kind of a race. As far as (Behavioral Bias, 5th), we will have talk to the
out this season and I think there were genuine
jockey. Maybe it was the distance or what
excuses for that. He ran a good race last time
happened (when acting up before the race).”
and he is a big horse who likes to get rolling.
Of Heavy Metal and Kimbear (placed 3rd and 4th
There was a bit of speed in that race and it
respectively), jockeys were understandably
caught him out and it got a bit messy. I felt he
disappointed having been well fancied before
would come on a lot for that one and he did
the race.
tonight.
“They just rode against us”, Barzalona (Heavy
“We went quick, as you would expect and I’d
Metal) said. This tone was echoed by Pat Dobbs
like to think there is a bit more to come from
(Kimbear), who said: “I was never happy from
him, as well. He is versatile. Although he is a big
the word go.”
horse, he jumps well from the gate and he is quick into his stride. Horses like Heavy Metal were going a fair nick and I was traveling easily on the side. I didn’t want to get involved too early and I probably could have waited a bit more, but we always felt that he would get a little further. He feels a better horse than 12 months ago. I still don’t think he is there yet and there is still a lot to work on. I am sure he will keep progressing.”
“I jumped very well,” O’Shea said of Behavioral Bias. “He’s a fast horse and he’s improved from his (third in the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile three weeks prior). It’s woken him up, so I think he’ll probably end up coming back in trip.” “It’s a different ballgame for a horse that has been running on turf to go to the dirt,” Sam Hitchcott, rider of Janoobi (sixth) said. “He just didn’t have the pace to go with them early. It’s a big shock when they’ve never done it before. He ran respectably and he’ll go back to the turf, I’d
Watson added: “We thought he was in great
imagine.”
shape last week and we really wanted to try him
Godolphin’s Silent Attack finished last of the
over the 1900m (of the G2 Al Maktoum
seven.
Challenge Round 2), but he couldn’t. He has
$250,000 MEYDAN SPRINT (GROUP 2)
come back and done that well. It was a tough
The 1000m Meydan Sprint sponsored by Gulf
race. He had to sit three-wide the whole way
News (G2) was turned into a one-horse show,
and picked up nicely when he went by (Heavy
courtesy of Group 1 sprinter Blue Point, who
Metal). He’s in great shape and last year he got
locked horns with the David Hayes-trained
better at around this time and that showed it right there. I’m not sure what happened to
Faatinah (Jim Crowley aboard) at the top of the
for Ali Rashid Al Rayhi to take third, with Mike de
straight to power clear with 300m left to run. The
Kock’s Mujaafy in fourth. Rebel Streak (Mickael
5-year-old son of Shamardal made amends under
Barzalona) and Johann Strauss (Royston Ffrench)
William Buick for his second placing behind the
completed the running order.
late Ertijaal in last year’s edition in the process
The Al Quoz (G1) over 1200m on Dubai World Cup
and provided handler Charlie Appleby and owner
night looms large, as the enigmatic King’s Stand
Godolphin with a first win in the feature after
Stakes (G1) winner has returned from Europe in
finishing second in the last five renewals.
solid form. The final time of the race was 56.52.
Australia’s Faatinah confiscated the lead from
“It was a nice comeback opportunity for him and
Mujaafy (Patrick Cosgrave) early on, with Blue
he did it very comfortably,” Buick said. “He did
Point settling midfield, before getting an easy tow
everything right. Lovely to see him come back
into the final 600m by the Nicconi gelding, who
like that. He has probably matured a bit and the
stayed on well to finish five lengths behind the
biggest difference (from his last race here one
winner. Portamento (Fernando Jara) held his own
year ago) is he is coming here now a Group 1 winner
this time. He has proved himself and he feels like
(Christopher elusive Group 1.” Hayes aboard) held
a very confident horse. No question about it.”
on for second with three-quarters of a length to
“He’s a nice horse, this fellow,” Appleby added.
Turkish darling Peri Lina (Selim Kaya) in third,
“Not having been fully tuned up, he ran well. This
who played up in the stalls before the start. Asoof
horse is going to come forward and come into his
(Christophe Soumillon) jumped to the front
own this year. He’s a 5-year-old now and he’s a
before settling just off the speed to finish fourth,
professional. William asked him to pick up and he
with South American G1 winner Furia Cruzada
ran a professional race. After this is the Al Quoz
(Antonio Fresu) in fifth. Front-running Monza
(Sprint on Mar. 30). He’s not overly exposed,
(Carlos Lopez) completing the field. The final
really. Last year, he wasn’t over-raced. It’s going
time was 1:49.60.
to be a fun season for him.”
“It was one of those strappy little fields and the
“It was a good trip; a straight line. That one was
worst thing you can do in those races is to not
too good,” Crowley said of Faatinah’s run.
give the opposition the respect,” Buick said. “So
Jara said: “It was a good trip. (Al Rayhi, trainer)
we gave them the respect and knew we had to get
told me to sit down and try to make one move
everything right at our end and that she could
and (Portamento) finished nice. He just ran a few
produce what she did there. It is lovely and she
days ago and it was hard competition. I think it
relaxes so nicely now, the extra furlong was not a
was a really good effort and the boss brought him
problem for her. She has just opened up a few
in good shape for this race.”
more opportunities for herself. She proved last
Cosgrave said: “It was a pleasing start back after
time that she is a quality filly that she really fills
a long time off. Obviously, he was thrown in the
herself up for the race. She has a great finishing
deep a bit today, but he equipped himself well. He
kick. The combination of being drawn six of six
ran ok, got a bit tired, but all around, everyone is
and an extra furlong, it was important to get the
pleased.”
first furlong right and then take it from there. It
Barzalona said: “He just ran alright. He needs cut
was lovely; a great performance. She has won two
in the ground. He just got beat by a better horse.”
Group 2s now, so she will be looking for the
Ffrench said: “Obviously he hasn’t run in a long
“She had won the Cape Verdi in such great style
time and he was very ring rusty; very slow away
and we were very confident stepping up to the
and over five furlongs it was all over too soon.”
(1800m), but you never know until they’ve done
$250,000 BALANCHINE (GROUP 2)
it,” Appleby said. “She also had the penalty. We
The 1800m turf Balanchine sponsored by
were going out there to get cover and get her
gulfnews.com (G2) for the fairer sex confirmed a
switched off and (Buick) has done a great job
talented filly in Godolphin’s Poetic Charm.
there. She picked up nicely and galloped out
Completing the Cape Verdi (G2)—Balanchine (G2)
strongly.”
double with a dominant 2¾-length win, the half-
Fellowes, who’s already having a strong Carnival,
sister to Teofilo granted trainer Charlie Appleby
was quite pleased with the performance of his
another inaugural stakes victory on the night
Danehill Dancer mare: “I’m over the moon. She’s
with William Buick aboard, after having taken the
a super filly and I don’t know what happened last
Meydan Sprint (G2) with Blue Point earlier on the
time in the Cape Verdi. Maybe there was too
card.
much water on the ground. To be honest, today
Settling comfortably at the rear under Buick, the
didn’t go to plan, as we were going to go forward
Dubawi filly went four-wide in the home turn to
because she stays the trip. Then she was standing
hit the front with 300m left to go. Late-closing
in the gate and falling asleep (waiting for Peri
Charlie Fellowes charge Mia Tesoro
Lina to load). She’s been remarkable. She came to me rated 57 and just finished second in a Group 2.
That’ll probably be it for her in Dubai. She’ll
another horse and she was doing a bit too much.”
come back to England and the plan is for
Remainder of Card: The inaugural running of the
(Coolmore stallion) Australia to cover her. She
$100,000 Meydan Trophy provided the first
might come back into training and we may have a
chance for 3-year-old turf runners to flash their
bit of fun with her before she needs to be retired,
promise and Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby-
especially after she ran a blinder like that.”
trained Art du Val did not disappoint. The son of
“I was happy enough,” Hayes said. “We wanted to
sprinter No Nay Never defied his pedigree and
ride more forward, but I got a bang in the gates
won for fun in the end by four lengths after
from (Peri Luna), who reared up. It probably
stalking nicely throughout the 1900m affair.
startled her a little bit. I had a lovely smooth run
Fawzi Nass’ Bila Shak finished a promising
around and would have loved to have been a
second, while the consistent Trolius completed
couple lengths closer to the pace, but ultimately
the top three for trainer Simon Crisford. In the
it didn’t cost me. I might have finished a length
process, Buick rode his 100th UAE winner.
closer, but the best horse won.”
“That was only his third career start and in the
Kaya said: “I jumped good and I was able to find a
biggest field he has encountered, so it was a goo
good position behind the Godolphin horse. I was
performance,” Buick said. “He has travelled
moving smoothly and the pace was fine to for me.
nicely throughout and then quickened in style
I feel if the horse had not had the incident at the
when I asked him. Once I managed to relax him,
starting gate, she could have finished in second
after about a furlong, I was always happy and he
position.”
stayed the trip nicely but he has enough pace to
Soumillon said: “She jumped out well, but
drop in trip if we wanted.”
unfortunately someone else wanted to go in front
Appleby added: “He is an improving 3-year-old
and she just got tired in the last 200m.”
and William was impressed with him there. We
Fresu said: “Like I said the other day, this was a
liked him last year and he did well to win his
bit too short and all these horses are more miler
debut before going to France, when a good
types than her. Even running over 1800m, the
second in a Listed race. Hopefully there is more
extra furlong didn’t help today.”
to come from him, because he is still learning and
Lopez said: “She was a bit keen. I got beside
hopefully progressing.”
The penultimate race, the $135,000 Inside Out
Richie has given him a great ride.”
Handicap over 1200m on dirt, was an intriguing
In the finale, Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor
contest and supplied Satish Seemar with his sole
struck with Mountain Hunter, who was given a
victory of the evening. A competitive encounter
beautiful ride by Christophe Soumillon to win by
on paper Lavaspin, drawn in stall two, took the
a measured 1½ lengths over stablemate Red
initiative from the get-go holding a prominent
Galileo. It was another nose back to Appleby
position on the rail before being joined by Steve
trainee Walton Street, completing a top-three
Asmussen’s Switzerland on his outside. A
finish for the royal blue. Over the 2410m of the
challenge at the 400m mark from Doug Watson’s
Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), the Gulf
Pop the Hood was fended off without
News-sponsored handicap provided a possible
consequence and Lavaspin drew clear of the one-
preview for the Dubai City of Gold (G2) on Super
paced American raider to win by 2¼ lengths with
Saturday.
Nine Below Zero running on well for third.
“He is a nice horse and was always travelling well
“We have had to be patient with him since his last
for me,” Soumillon said. “I was able to get a good
win as he spiked a temperature when he was due
lead and always had a nice position, so when we
to run and has had a few other little niggles as
hit the straight, I was able to ask him for an effort
well,” said Bhupat Seemar, assistant trainer. “He
and he quickened nicely. He has then run all the
is a very fast horse. From that low draw with such
way to the line and seen out the trip well. It was a
a low weight, the plan was always to be positive
good performance.”
and
14
CRISFORD HOPES TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK
for the Englishman, who trains out of a satellite
GULF NEWS
led by Century Dream (Oisin Murphy) in the
Dubai: If you had to draw up a list of horsemen who have sampled more success than most at Meydan Racecourse, the name Simon Crisford will without question be among the contenders. In his previous role as Godolphin’s racing manager, Crisford was associated with some of the biggest and most prestigious winners ever seen at the Dubai World Cup Carnival. However, the scenario changed ever since he went solo in 2015 and took up a public trainer’s licence. Successes in Dubai have not been as abundant
operation at the Grandstand 2 Stables adjoining Meydan Racecourse. All that may be set to change at the eighth Carnival meeting on Thursday where Crisford saddles several runners with serious chances Group 2 Zabeel Mile, one of three Group races that embellish an attractive six-race card. The five-year-old son of Cape Cross makes his debut in this race, following a career-best effort when finishing third to ‘Horse of the Year’ Roaring Lion in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October. Century Dream has raced in elite company and was previous a close fourth to Accidental Agent in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes also at Ascot during the Royal meeting. Crisford commented: “We are really pleased with him and looking forward to the race.
“He’s doing absolutely fine, he’s travelled very
told her.
well to Dubai and trained really well since
“Hopefully she jumps and she runs well like
being there. Things have gone according to
that. She’s a very backwards filly, mentally, and
plan.”
she doesn’t give everything. She does what you
Quite clearly the class act among the eight
tell her to do and we never really ask her to do
runners in the Mile, Crisford’s charge takes on
as much as a race.”
the likes of Godolphin’s Mythical Magic
Charlie Appleby’s Divine Image (William Buick)
(William Buick), who was third in the Al Fahidi
and the Saeed Bin Surour-trained duo of Dubai
Fort on his Dubai debut last month, former
Beauty (Christophe Soumillon) and Swift Rose
Group 3 scorer Wooton (James Doyle) and Top
(Hayley Turner) finished second, fourth and
Score (Christophe Soumillon).
14th in the Guineas at a mile on dirt and all
Crisford is also well represented by Starry Eyes
three re-oppose.
in the $250,000 (Dh918,125) UAE Oaks (G3).
Godolphin send out six contenders in the
A daughter of Animal Kingdon, winner of the
Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes over 10
2013 Dubai World, Starry Eyes makes her
furlongs on turf include a trio from Charlie
second appearance on the dirt at Meydan
Appleby, already winners at this year’s Carnival.
having finished fifth in the Guineas.
First Nation (William Buick), Oasis Charm (Brett
The Oaks has been won on 10 occasions since it
Doyle) and Spotify (James Doyle) look an
was first run in 2001 by Godolphin-trained
impressive team for the in-form Appleby who
fillies but French raider Silva looks the pick of
remarked: “First Nation won well on his first
the 12 runners in this year’s renewal of the
start in Dubai and the form of the race has
season’s third Classic.
worked out well. He has done everything right
Pia Brandt’s filly was a compelling winner of the
since and looks the one to beat.
UAE 1,000 Guineas, which was used as a prep
“Oasis Charm is a very strong traveller, who
race of the Oaks by her connections and is
picked up nicely in a competitive handicap, and
expected to be more suited by the step up in
deserves to have a crack at a nice race like this.
trip to nine furlongs on Thursday.
“Spotify won over a mile and a half last time but
“The distance is no problem for her,” Brandt
has sharpened up for that run and we feel that
said of the French-trained filly.
dropping back to 10 furlongs is well within his
Her [Guineas] was excellent. She was very
compass.”
professional and did what [jockey Oisin Murphy]
16
ONE-TWO FOR THE KINGDOM AS AL NABOODHA’S AF MAHER FINISHES THIRD GULF NEWS
Khaladeiah, with the Khalid Al Nabooda’s homebred AF Maher, ridden by Tadhg O’Shea, running on for third. “We came here to win this race, and that’s what we did,” said an ecstatic Shaikh Mutlaq Bin Mashref, trainer of the Al Khalediah Stables. “It feels great to win such a prestigious race
Sharjah It was a case of mission accomplished
which is a wonderful initiative. We knew that
for Saudi Arabia’s powerful Al Khalediah Stables
the competition would be strong so we brought
after homebred Mubasher Al Khalediah scored a
some of our strongest horses to the UAE.
thrilling victory over stable companion Morheb
Horses from the Al Khalediah Stables have been
Al Khalediah to win the inaugural running of the
winning races around Europe, but winning this
Dh200,000 GCC Cup Sponsored by Shadwell, on
race was extra special, as it was the GCC Cup,”
Saturday.
he added.
With the talented Abdullah Al Fairoz in the
“I believe that the race can only get better and
saddle the handsome four-year-old was doing
stronger in the future and will be top of the
the best work in a tight three-horse finish, to
agenda for homebred Arab horses. We look
cross the line half a length clear of Morheb Al
forward to coming back again next year to defend our title.
NOMADIC
|
24
“But for the moment, let us enjoy being the first
hailed the inaugural running of the Cup a big success.
winners of the GCC Cup, it is indeed a great, great
“The GCC Cup is great idea from our Chairman
honour and one that we are immensely proud of,”
Shaikh Abdullah Majid Al Qasimi,” said Al Yahyai. “We
said Mashref.
had a strong field lining up and it could not have been
Mashref said that he had a good feeling about racing
a more thrilling finish.
in the UAE and that he was looking forward to
“This is what horse racing is and we hope that it will
returning next month for the Dubai World Cup
be a great advertisement for the concept of having a
meeting at Meydan Racecourse on March 30 where
high-class race exclusively for homebred Arabs. It
he will attempt back-to-back victories in the Dubai
proves that Arabian racing is getting stronger and
Kahayla Classic (G1), having won the 2018 running
stronger. There are more horses, owners and jockeys
with Tallaab Al Khalediah.
than ever before and the numbers are growing
“We’ll be back soon, hopefully with two horses,
rapidly.
Tallaab Al Khalediah and Murad Al Khalediah,” he
“This race can only get better and better in the years
said. “The Kahayla Classic is the race every Purebred
to come.”
Arabian owner, trainer and jockey wants to win. Hopefully we will come back strong and win it for Al
Results
Khalediah Stables, and prove that horses bred in
The GCC Cup Sponsored by Shadwell
Saudi Arabia are among the best Arab race horses in
Purse: Dh200,000 (Purebred Arabian, Prestige) 1700M
the world.”
Dirt
A GCC Cup was a 1,700m race with Prestige status
1. Mubasher Al Khalediah (M Bin Mashref) Abdullah Al
and restricted to horses foaled within the GCC
Fairoz
countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi
2. Morheb Al Khalediah (M bin Mashref) Abdullah Al
Arabia and, the
Odhaib
Winning time: 01:57:77 secs. UAE. Sultan Mohammad
3. AF Maher (E Oertel) Tadhg O’Shea
Khalifa Al Yahyai, general manager of the Sharjah
4. Shareq Al Khalediah (L Marouane) Royston Ffrench
Equestrian and Racing Club,
Distances: 1/2 length, 1/2L, 2 1/2L.
NOMADIC
|
24
18
AL NABOODAH'S DOMINANT NIGHT WITH FIVE PUREBRED ARABIAN WINS IN ABU DHABI THE NATIONAL
by Ernst Oertel. “It only goes to prove we can breed good horses locally,” said Al Naboodah. AF Saab carried the Al Naboodah silks when winning the Abu Dhabi Colts Classic on December 16 before purchased by Sheikh Hamdan and moved to the Oasis Stables of Musabah Al Muhairi.
It was a perfect five for Khalid Khalifa Al
“It’s an honour to see horses bred by me being
Naboodah’s breeding operation on Sunday at
successful in the silks of Sheikh Hamdan,” added Al
the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
Naboodah.
The horses bred by the Emirati businessman
“This is the joy of breeding good horses and it’s even
scooped all five prizes that were on offer for the
better when a horse from my breeding operation
Purebred Arabians, including both the Emirates
successful for another owner.”
Fillies and Colts Classic.
Oertel’s four winners on the night took his tally to
The Colts Classic winner AF Saab won in the
36, seven clear of Satish Seemar in the UAE trainer’s
silks of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid but the
championship.
remaining four were in the Al Naboodah colours
Tadhg O’Shea was on board three of them. He
and trained
moved NOMADIC
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to the top of the UAE jockey’s title race on 35, two
been rescheduled three weeks after the start of the
more than his nearest challenger Richard Mullen.
UAE season on the request of local trainers and
Meanwhile, the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Global
owners,” said Lara Sawaya, chairperson of the Sheikh
Arabian Flat Horseracing Festival announced 124
Mansour bin Zayed Global Flat Horseracing Festival.
races for the 2019/2020 season, an increase of 24
According to Al Naboodah staging the final race of
from last season.
the series at the beginning of the season leaves the
The highlight of the series is the Sheikh Zayed bin
local horses with a clear disadvantage.
Sultan Al Nahyan Cup and the Sheikha Fatima bint
“In the case of the overseas horses they arrive at
Mubarak Ladies World Championship.
their peak forms after racing for most of the summer
The Sheikh Zayed Cup and the Sheikha Fatima bint
in other parts of the world,” said Al Naboodah.
Mubarak series gets underway at the Sam Houston
“The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown
Park, Texas, in the United States on March 9 and
is a very prestigious and the world’s richest race (Dh
conclude with the final races in Abu Dhabi on
5million) in the world for the Purebred Arabians. It
November 24.
would be unfair to have it run at the beginning of the
“The grand finales were usually slated for the
UAE season as our horses will not be prepared for
opening or second race meeting in Abu Dhabi but it
the challenges.”
has now
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LUKAS AIMS TO 'ENJOY' FIRST DUBAI WORLD CUP TRIP WITH BRAVAZO
earnings, Lukas has also shaped the careers some of
EVENING STANDARD
compete at Meydan for the first time with current
Knowing where to start when talking about D. Wayne Lukas’ achievements and influence on North American racing is a difficult task. The former basketball coach-turned-horse trainer has won 20 Breeders Cup races, 14 Triple Crown events and trained three horses to earn the status of America’s Horse of the Year, not to mention the more than two dozen Quarter Horse champions he conditioned before moving on to Thoroughbreds. The first to break both $100 and $200 million in
the country’s finest trainers with former assistants including Todd Pletcher, Dallas Stewart, Mark Hennig, George Weaver and former leading UAE trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, among others. Although in the twilight of his career, the 83-year-old is still breaking new ground and this year plans to stable flagbearer Bravazo. The 4-year-old son of Awesome Again won the Risen Star Stakes (G2) before contesting in all three Triple Crown races, including a runner-up finish in the Preakness Stakes as a 3-year-old. Placed in four Grade 1 races since then, the Calumet Farm homebred returned to the work tab last Wednesday morning, breezing a half-mile in 49 flat. NOMADIC | 24 He will start next in the $12 million Dubai World Cup on Mar. 30. “We’re going to get maybe four more works between
now and then, so we just wanted him to stretch his
“I’ve talked to Bob Baffert and a couple of people
legs again,” Lukas said.
who have been over there and they said, ‘You need
Bravazo returned to his Oaklawn base on Jan. 28,
to go, you need to go and you’ll enjoy it.’ But I never
two days after finishing fourth in the $9 million
had any strong feeling about it.
Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream
"In this particular case, Calumet’s Brad Kelley is real
Park. Lukas said Bravazo will ship to the UAE on
adamant about (how) we need to try this. Go over
Mar. 18.
there and try it.”