ISSUE NO. 17 • 1 MARCH 2019
YOUR RACING DESTINATION
EVE JOHNSON HOUGHTON
MYTHICAL MAGIC
TAKES ON WINX FOR DUBAI PEOPLE'S AWARD
SPARKLES IN GROUP 2 ZABEEL MILE
STORMY LIBERAL GETS DUBAI WORLD CUP NIGHT GREEN LIGHT
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DUBAI PEOPLE'S AWARD EVE JOHNSON HOUGHTON TAKES ON WINX FOR DUBAI PEOPLE'S AWARD
SANDS OF MALI RICHARD FAHEY SPEEDSTER SANDS OF MALI HEADING TO DUBAI WORLD CUP
MEYDAN, THURSDAY MYTHICAL MAGIC SPARKLES IN GROUP 2 ZABEEL MILE, TOPS APPLEBY GROUP SWEEP
BAHRAIN RACING DEAUVILLE CAPTURES SHAIKH NASSER CUP
STORMY LIBERAL STORMY LIBERAL GETS DUBAI WORLD CUP NIGHT GREEN LIGHT
4
EVE JOHNSON HOUGHTON TAKES ON WINX FOR DUBAI PEOPLE'S AWARD RACING POST Winx has beaten a lot of opponents on her way to
Of the nomination, Johnson Houghton said on
winning 30 straight races, including 22 Group 1s, but
Sunday: “I found out about it on Twitter! It’s a huge
now finds herself up against a completely different
honour and I’m quite amazed really. I’m very
rival in Eve Johnson Houghton.
touched that someone would nominate me.”
The pair have been nominated for the Dubai Racing
While the prospect of facing Winx, and a potential
Club’s People’s Choice Award, a public vote for the
trip to Dubai for the awards ceremony, excites
most compelling horseracing moment of 2018, along
Johnson Houghton, she remains grounded in her
with the US-trained Conquest Tsunami and jockey
expectations.
Yutaka Take.
“I think it’s safe to say I've no chance; I’d vote for
Johnson Houghton became only the fourth British
Winx in fairness!” she added.
woman to saddle a Group 1 winner last summer,
For Winx, the highlight of 2018 was a fourth straight
when 33-1 shot Accidental Agent won the Queen
Cox Plate win, while legendary jockey Take earned
Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
his nomination after taking his tally to 4,000 winners on
his 21,235th ride aboard Meisho Kazuhime.
The winner will be named at Sheikh
Conquest Tsunami won the Daytona Stakes at Santa
Mohammed's Excellence Awards ceremony on
Anita last year, less than three months after
March 28, two days before the richest day's
surviving the San Luis Rey Downs fire in southern
racing in the world, the $35
California which claimed the lives of 46 horses.
million Dubai World Cup card.
RICHARD FAHEY SPEEDSTER SANDS OF MALI HEADING TO DUBAI WORLD CUP YORK PRESS SANDS OF MALI is set to start off what could be an
"I think he's due to go over to Dubai about six or
exciting campaign in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai
seven days before the race.
World Cup night at Meydan on March 30.
"We're very pleased with him."
Trainer Richard Fahey reports the Group 1-winning
Fahey has always held Sands Of Mali in high regard
speedster to have wintered well so far and on
and the four-year-old colt justified that opinion
course for another six-furlong contest at the top
when taking the scalp of Harry Angel in the Qipco
level on his seasonal debut.
British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October.
"The plan is to go to World Cup night in Dubai.
Sands Of Mali had begun 2018 with victories in a
Everything's going according to plan," said the
Group 3 at Chantilly and the Group 2 Sandy Lane
Musley Bank handler.
Stakes at Haydock, before having a slight blip in late
"He's a Group 1-winning sprinter and you can hand-
summer after finishing second in the
pick the races for them.
Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
8
MYTHICAL MAGIC SPARKLES IN GROUP 2 ZABEEL MILE, TOPS APPLEBY GROUP SWEEP ERA Six races filled with Thoroughbred stars from
next month. In an exciting turn of affairs, the
eight different nations allowed for a global affair
two market favourites, Century Dream (Oisin
on Thursday night at Meydan Racecourse, but it
Murphy aboard) and Mythical Magic (William
was locally based trainer Charlie Appleby and
Buick) kicked on aggressively with 500m
owner Godolphin who stole the show, with the
remaining, setting the stage for an exciting final
latter landing four races and Appleby taking
straight. The latter, with the aid of a prep race,
home a Group treble. Al Tayer Motors
proved fitter of the two, collaring his foe with a
sponsored the evening, the eighth Dubai World
furlong remaining and powering clear by three
Cup Carnival card of 2019, and His Highness
lengths at the wire for trainer Charlie Appleby
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
and owner Godolphin.
President and Prime Minister of the UAE and
The final time was a strong 1:36.39 for the
Ruler of Dubai, was on hand.
1600m, with First Contact (Colm O’Donoghue),
$250,000 ZABEEL MILE (GROUP 2)
Wootton (James Doyle) and South African G1
The feature of the evening was the $250,000
winner Marinaresco (Bernard Fayd’Herbe)
Zabeel Mile (G2), which included a complex field
closing well to complete the top five. Defending
of milers looking to earn their way to the $6
champion Janoobi, Australian G1 winner Comin’
million Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (G1)
Through, 2017 winner Championship and Top Score
completed the octet at the wire. The victory
Under the watchful eye of His Highness Sheikh
was the 4-year-old gelded son of Iffraaj’s third
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 1900m
from nine starts. He exited an excellent second
UAE Oaks sponsored by Range Rover (G3) went
in the Al Fahidi Fort (G2) over 1400m on Jan. 24,
to Godolphin’s Divine Image. The progressive
finishing behind well-regarded stablemate D’bai “It was an excellent performance,” Buick said. “He’s a beautiful, imposing horse and he’s getting things together now. His last run over seven furlongs in the Al Fahidi Fort was obviously an eye-catching run. Up to the mile tonight, things really came together for him and he put in a good performance. He did the job well. Century Dream was the horse to beat without a question, but I think Mythical Magic
daughter of Scat Daddy came with a brilliant late run under William Buick to nab leader Swift Rose and Hayley Turner by a neck, handing trainer Charlie Appleby a first victory in the fillies’ $2.5 million UAE Derby preparation. Sitting handily, the 3-year-old star received plenty of kickback whilst chasing Saeed bin Suroor’s charge round the home turn, but closed resolutely to land her first Group victory in her third lifetime start. Aside from Divine Image’s hard-fought victory,
had a fitness edge with a run under his belt.”
Doug Watson trainee Razeena turned in an eye-
“I thought he would come forward,” Appleby
catching performance with Pat Dobbs aboard,
added. “He went to his girth there and stayed
sitting four-wide off pace setter Swift Rose to
on nicely in the Al Fahidi Fort and we thought
stay on for third by 3½ lengths. Stablemate
the step up in trip was going to suit. We’ll have
Habah shifted her way through runners to hold
a chat (about the Dubai Turf). He could maybe
off Al Hayette for fourth and fifth placings in the
go to Australia for the Doncaster, but obviously
home straight. Al Shamkhah sat in the box seat
we’ll get back and regroup and see where we
under Mickael Barzalona to finish sixth, whilst
are. Very pleasing night. He’s always been a bit
Simon Crisford’s Chelmsford Novice Stakes
tricky and he’s in great nick now. It’s been
winner Starry Eyes had to go wide, closing in
worth persevering with. When you’re on the kind of roll that we’re on now, the confidence certainly flows throughout the stable.” Murphy was pleased with the performance of Century Dream, who was making his first start since a good third in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) in October. “He jumped well and he relaxed the first three furlongs,” Murphy said. “I got a nice tow off Top Score. Christophe tried to slow the pace and
seventh. Highly regarded UAE 1000 Guineas (Listed) winner Silva came under pressure 600m out, taking eighth spot followed by Dream With You and Mulhima, whilst Dubai Beauty was eased by Christophe Soumillon. The final time was 2:01.76 for 1900m on the dirt course. “She was perfect away and I obviously asked her to get her position early,” Buick said. “Coming into the first turn it is a short run, so I just took her back. She was bit green in stages, but when I
(Century Dream) got a little bit keen. He did
pulled her, she picked up really good, which is
enough work to make the race, but he paid the
not easy on this surface. She has a big stride and
price for it up the straight. It wasn’t a bad run.
I just wanted to get her out running. There
He’s a genuine Group 1 performer, so that’s
wasn’t anywhere else to go, really. Once I pulled
where we are with him.”
her out, I was confident I was always going to
“It was a good, solid run race and the pace was
get there. She is edgy, but she is a typical kind
very good,” O’Donoghue said of First Contact.
of horse. She is fiery and that is probably what
“He ran a very competitive race and he galloped
makes her the filly she is. You don’t want to
straight through the line. I’m very happy with
fiddle too much with them and she is very game
him.” $250,000 UAE OAKS (GROUP 3)
and tough when
it matters. It is only her third run tonight and she
definitely be something that’s put in the melting
is bound to improve on experience on every level.
pot. I’d say she’s not flashy in what she does, but
Things have happened quick and fast for her
you can’t fault the way she gallops out there.
these past few months and we look forward to it.”
She’s taken plenty of dirt on both occasions and
“I have to say, turning in, I thought Hayley had
she seems to face it well.”
rode a nice race (on Swift Rose),” Appleby added.
Turner, who appeared a winner at the top of the
“I thought she would skip away from the field,
lane, definitely felt the bittersweetness of a great
but once William got our filly levelled out, I was
effort to just fall short in second: “I was getting
confident in the last furlong because she’d be
so excited half a furlong out. She’s ran a blinder.
running along strongly. She’s a filly who’s
I’ve ridden her once before. I won on her and I
definitely got the talent. We just need to make
was aware she had a bit of ability. She’s been a bit
sure we take it in the right direction. The (UAE
disappointing on her last two runs, but I think
Derby) is certainly under consideration. She has
she’s just been finding her feet over here and
experience on this (distance) and surface and it’ll
settling in. She’s been going better at home. It’s a
good advantage if you can get a good draw and
“Firstly, it was a great ride by James on the front
get out well on the dirt.”
end” Appleby said, “He got him into a nice
Dobbs was pleased with Razeena, who again
rhythm. The horse digs deep when they come to
showed that she is a filly, though winless from
him. Full credit to him. We thought he came
three starts, of considerable promise: “She ran
forward from that last start and coming back in
well. She was drawn wide and I was four-wide all
trip would suit. Good performance and delighted
the way, so I gave up a lot of ground. She is
for the team. That might be this Carnival
learning and she is getting better with every run.
wrapped up for him. We will point him to a
She had no kickback tonight, which helped. I am
European campaign. As always, we’ll get them
not sure there are many races for her here, so
back and see how they are and regroup. We had a
she might be shipping back to America, most
strong team of horses in there and it was always
likely.”
going to be tactical race and James got his
“I had to work a little bit early to get a good
fractions right on the front end.”
position,” Murphy said of Silva, who failed to land
Doyle added: “I could feel him physically lower
the Guineas-Oaks double. “She didn’t travel as
down and stick his head out when the second
well as she did the last time. It is hard to say she
horse joined me. So, full credit to the horse. It
didn’t stay, as I was beaten too far out. Fair play
was a race that looked like there would be a lack
to the winner. She is a progressive daughter of
of speed and we knew this fellow won here from a
Scat Daddy.”
mile and a half stage and all the way around. We
$200,000 DUBAI MILLENNIUM (GROUP 3)
knew he would keep going. We got the soft end
Charlie Appleby recorded a third success in the
and we got some soft fractions down the back and
$200,000 Dubai Millennium Stakes, having
then stretched in the straight and I think that
triumphed in 2018 and 2016 with Folkswood and
won it for him. He will have to raise his game a
Tryster, respectively. The conditioner’s Spotify
bit to get into something on Super Saturday.
broke well and was sent to the front of the pack
There will be plenty of nice races for him in
by James Doyle, setting a steady pace, reaching
Europe in the summer. So, I think that was what
the 400m mark in 27.70 and 800m in 53.24.
Charlie was aiming for. He showed a nice burst in
Stablemate Oasis Charm raced keenly in behind
the straight and he is quite versatile, the mile and
with Racing History on his inside in a good
a half would not be a problem for him.”
position. The pack was still tightly knit reaching
Christophe Soumillon rode runner-up Racing
the 1200m in 1.19.07 and it was still anyone’s race
History and was happy with his performance,
as they turned for home. Spotify attempted to
though concerned that his path may have been
draw clear into the final stretch with a sea of blue
impeded.
behind him all mounting their challenges. The
“He ran really well. They didn’t go very fast,” he
son of Redoute’s Choice held by on a short head
said. “When I came into the straight, I thought we
from a closing Racing History, with First Nation
would get it, but the winner hangs out.”
and Team Talk running on well for third and
William Buick offered no comment on beaten
fourth place in a time of 1.42.85.
favourite First Nation’s performance. Team Talk,
Spotify was recording his second win in as many
Oasis Charm, Muzdawaj, Vintager and Connect
starts for the 2019 DWC Carnival, following a
rounded out the order of finish.
success in the Al Taweelah Trophy on the Jan. 24.
Remainder of Card
The 5-year-old, who maintains his 100% record
The meeting opened with the Jaguar F Pace, a
for Charlie Appleby, was previously a Listed
1400m dirt handicap, in which Rodiani landed the
winner in France for Christophe Ferland and has
spoils, despite being one of the first under
placed in a number of group races from 1600-
pressure with Connor Beasley sending out
2000m.
distress
signals on the home turn. However, the 5-year-
of a concern, especially dropping back in trip
old gelded son of Exchange Rate found plenty for
with him because we know he stays further, but
pressure and produced a decisive turn of foot
everything worked out. Credit to Jim who has
about 250m out. Bred beautifully for the surface,
given him a great ride and managed to find some
Moqarrab ran on well for second in his dirt debut
company to race with, so we will have to talk to
“We think 1400m is probably his best trip, but
the owner before making plans. We dropped him
when we tried him the last time over the
back from 1400m because there are no races over
distance, he was basically disappointing in HH
that trip on Super Saturday or Dubai World Cup
The President Cup,” said winning trainer Ahmad
night, so it is exciting to see him win like that.”
bin Harmash. “That was a Listed race on the Abu
Watson confirmed afterward that Super
Dhabi turf, and back in class on dirt he has
Saturday’s (Mar. 9) $350,000 Nad Al Sheba Turf
delivered tonight at the carnival. Connor has
Sprint (G3) was the likely next target for
probably hit the front as early as we would want
Ekhtiyaar.
because the horse does not seem to like
The concluding 1600m turf handicap, the Range
headgear, but was almost waiting for the others
Rover Velar was contested by the biggest field of
in the final stages.”
the night, the maximum allowed of 16 and
The 1200m turf handicap, the Land Rover
provided Godolphin a fourth success, this time
Discovery, looked open on paper, but as it
Saeed bin Suroor saddling the winner courtesy of
transpired proved a straightforward assignment
Major Partnership, a first ever UAE success for
for Ekhtiyaar, saddled by Doug Watson for His
jockey Kevin Stott.
Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Having been settled in midfield, the 4-year-old
and partnered by the owner’s retained jockey,
Iffraaj gelding was having his third Carnival start
Jim Crowley. Formerly trained in Great Britain by
and made taking progress early in the straight
Roger Varian, winning three times, the 5-year-
before hitting the front about 250m from home,
old gelded son of Bated Breath made a very
after which they always seemed to have the race
pleasing local debut when third on the first night
in safekeeping.
of the Carnival, at the beginning of January, but
Stott said: “This horse shows so much speed at
had not been seen in competitive action since.
home, we even tried him over 1200m, but we put
Always travelling well for Crowley, he powered
cheek-pieces on today over this longer trip and
clear entering the final 400m to win in the style
they really helped. Basically, he is a horse who
of a progressive sprinter.
just does enough, so the headgear helped, but he
Watson said: “We were drawn two which was a bit
probably still kept him a bit for himself, so there could be more to come.”
14
DEAUVILLE CAPTURES SHAIKH NASSER CUP
lengths to win Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup for locally bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD5,000 Knight And Day was third and High Roller fourth. Al Nimra, owned by Abdulla Fawzi Nass, trained
GULF DAILY NEWS
by Hesham Al Hadad and ridden by Husain
DEAUVILLE won the richest race of the day at
Makki, beat Daleel by two-and-half-a-length to
yesterday’s horse racing at Rashid Equestrian
win the Bahrain Derby, sponsored by Shaikh
and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir.
Hamad bin Nasser Al Khalifa, for locally bred
Deauville, owned by Victorious, trained by
horses carrying a cash prize of BD6,800 Henry
Fawzi Nass and ridden by Adrie De Vries, beat
The Horse was third and Masharif fourth.
Euginio by one-and-three-fourth-length to win
Balestra, owned by Al Mohamediya Racing,
Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup for
trained by Hesham Al Haddad and ridden by
imported horses carrying a cash prize of
Husain Makki, edged out Northern Thunder by a
BD10,000 Port Douglas was third and Rustang
head to win Shaikh Hamad bin Nasser bin
fourth.
Hamad Al Khalifa Cup for imported horses
Milyar, owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin
carrying a cash prize of BD4,600 Starboy was
Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and
third and Solar Flair fourth Al Hamdany 1697,
ridden by Andrew Elliott, beat News Breaker by
owned by
Safra, trained by Alan Smith and ridden by
length ton win Shaikha Sheemah bint Nasser
Gerald Mosse, beat Al Jellaby 1544 by one-and-
bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup, a handicap race,
one-fourth-length to claim Shaikh Mohammed
carrying a cash prize of BD3,000. Tamaady was
bin Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup for
third and Android fourth.
Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of
Riyada, owned by Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla Al
BD3,000.
Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and ridden by
Al Saqlawy 1578 was third and Kuheilan Aafas
Brett Doyle, beat Nardeen by four lengths to
1640 fourth.
win Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup,
London Look, owned by Karrar Abdulhadi Ali Al
another handicap race, carrying a cash prize of
Baqqali, trained by Taleb Ali and ridden by
BD3,000.
Robert Tart, beat Rita’s Boy by one-and-half-a-
Ghafiya was third and Stevie G fourth.
16
STORMY LIBERAL GETS DUBAI WORLD CUP NIGHT GREEN LIGHT
only to be just caught by a closing Eddie
HORSE RACING NATION
Really, it was a lot to ask for him to come back
Haskell. “According to Drayden, he almost lost all of his balance completely,” Trump said. “He looked like he kind of slid out from underneath himself.
Brian Trump, racing manager for Rockingham
(and win) at five furlongs. Dubai, at six furlongs,
Ranch, said this week that champion Stormy
will give him a little bit more time. He seems to
Liberal has been cleared to continue on toward
be fine at both distances. We’re excited to see
a Dubai World Cup night run following an
how he ships and get him out there.”
anxious moment in his final prep for the Group
The turf course was rated “firm” for Stormy
1, $2 million Al Quoz Sprint.
Liberal's allowance race, but Santa Anita has
The repeat Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner
experienced several days of rain this month.
finished second by a head in Feb. 22 in a five-
Trump said Stormy Liberal continued to be
furlong allowance over Santa Anita’s turf after
monitored following the race and no injury was
the son of Stormy Atlantic stumbled under
discovered.
Drayden Van Dyke when heading into the
“We wish it didn’t happen, obviously,” Trump
stretch. Stormy Liberal regained his footing,
added. “It’s not just about the win, but we just want to protect our horses every time we can,
and when you see something like that, it makes you hold your breath, that’s for sure.” With Stormy Liberal confirmed, Rockingham Ranch is on course to be represented by three runners March 30 at Meydan, each of them 7-year-old geldings. Roy
“He had a nice workout, looked sharp and excited to go to Dubai as well,” Trump said. The son of More Than Ready finished only a length behind Mind Your Biscuits in last year’s Golden Shaheen. X Y Jet will hope to overcome two narrow defeats
H, as with Stormy Liberal, is trained by Peter Miller in
when he returns to Meydan. In the 2016 Golden
California and co-owned by David Bernsen. X Y Jet,
Shaheen he was second by a neck, then missed by a
co-owned by Gelfenstein Farm and trained by Jorge
head two years later. The speedy Florida-bred won
Navarro, will make his way from Florida.
his final Dubai prep Feb. 13 at Gulfstream Park,
While Stormy Liberal will go on the grass, Roy H and
leading every step of the six-furlong allowance
X Y Jet are scheduled to meet again in the Group 1,
optional claiming race in the slop.
$2.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, a race in which
The 7 ¾-length victory represented a rebound from X
they finished second and third last year behind the
Y Jet’s season debut in the Jan. 19 Sunshine Millions
late-running Mind Your Biscuits.
Sprint Stakes, where he faded to fourth. Navarro told
The trip to Dubai follows repeat Breeders’ Cup
connections the horse came out of the race in good
victories and Eclipse honors for both Stormy Liberal
order, but he didn’t think he had the son of Kantharos
and Roy H. Neither won a stakes race until their 5-
completely back in shape off a seven-month layoff.
year-old seasons, although Stormy Liberal was
“He showed that in his last race that he was definitely
multiple Grade 3-placed beforehand and Roy H
more fit,” Trump said of the allowance. “He definitely
improved after being gelded in 2016.
had that drive.”
“Now they get the opportunity to continue to
Connections plan to keep regular riders on all three
succeed,” Trump said. “I think a lot of times we don’t
mounts. Van Dyke will be aboard Stormy Liberal,
get to see that with other horses. There’s such a
Paco Lopez on Roy H, and Emisael Jaramillo on X Y
stigmata about horses being older and concern for
Jet. Trump said the horses will ship in about 10 days,
that.” Stormy Liberal earned the Eclipse Award for
with the California pair first flying to Florida, then
Champion Turf Male, the first grass sprinter to ever
Amsterdam to Dubai.
take the honor. He opened 2019 with a runner-up
Though the trio of millionaires has padded earnings
finish in the Joe Hernandez Stakes (G3) on Jan. 1 prior
with top placings in Dubai, Rockingham Ranch,
to the allowance race last weekend.
founded in 2012, is still hoping to add an international
Roy H, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint victor and Eclipse
flair to their horses’ list of accomplishments.
Champion Male Sprinter the last two years, has made
“We feel very blessed and lucky that in such a short
his lone 2019 start count, as he made easy work of
amount of time we were able to have a significant
the Palos Verdes Stakes (G2) on Jan. 19, cantering to a
impact in the sport,” Trump said. “We’ve made this
four-length win, and has worked at San Luis Rey
trip to Dubai about three times now. It’s been an
Downs throughout February.
ultimate goal of ours to win one of these races, Gary
Roy H most recently drilled a half-mile Tuesday in
Hartunian and myself.
48.40.
“From the first time we went we said, we want to come back and win one of these races.”
NOMADIC
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