Racing Weekly Issue 17

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

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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.

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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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