ISSUE NO. 18 • 8 MARCH 2019
YOUR RACING DESTINATION
MAGICAL AND AIDAN O’BRIEN
SEEKING THE SOUL
RETURNING ON DUBAI WORLD CUP NIGHT
BREEZES IN PREPARATION FOR DUBAI
HALL OF FAMER D. WAYNE LUKAS BRAVAZO TO MISS DUBAI WORLD CUP
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
04
06
08
14
18
MAGICAL MAGICAL, CLOSE SECOND TO ENABLE, RETURNING ON DUBAI WORLD CUP NIGHT
THUNDER SNOW THUNDER MAKING ALL THE RIGHT NOISES
MEYDAN, SATURDAY AJWAD MAKES ALL IN MEYDAN SATURDAY FEATURE
BAHRAIN RACING SAN DIMAS LIFTS BANAGAS CUP
AL AIN RACING AMWAJ STARS IN LEMARTINEL QUARTET AT AL AIN
MAGICAL, CLOSE SECOND TO ENABLE, RETURNING ON DUBAI WORLD CUP NIGHT HORSE RACING NATION Magical, second to Enable in the Breeders' Cup
Magical is likely to be joined in the March 30 race by
Turf, is perhaps the brightest of Coolmore and Aidan
stablemate Magic Wand, who has now finished
O’Brien-led Ballydoyle's horses gearing up for runs
second in three Group 1 races, most recently in the
on Dubai World Cup night.
Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) at the end
A candidate for the $6 million Longines Dubai
of January.
Sheema Classic (G1), a race that owner Coolmore won in 2013 with St Nicholas Abbey, the Galileo sister to
“Magical came through the winter well and the
three-time Group 1 winner Rhododendron has
Sheema Classic looks a nice race for her,” O’Brien
already achieved the same level of success thanks to
said. “Magic Wand ran well in America in the Pegasus
a victory in the British Champions Fillies and Mares
Turf and she could target the same race.”
Stakes (G1). She followed this up by finishing threequarters of a length behind the brilliant Enable last
O’Brien is also likely to send the talented stayer Flag
time at Churchill Downs.
of Honour to prove himself against many of the top stars of the stamina world. A winner of three stakes
sophomore last term, he was an impressive victor in
Opera House is also a possible for (the UAE Derby).”
the Irish St Leger (G1). He is targeting the $1.5
Lost Treasure is a final interesting part of O’Brien’s
million Dubai Gold Cup (G2) and goes there with a
equation. The three-part older brother to the
solid claim, especially if the son of Galileo improves
talented Just Wonderful does not carry the same
into his 4-year-old season. Another Galileo who
gloss as his high-profile stablemates, though he has
could have a substantial 4-year-old year and is
displayed Group 1 ability and should not be ignored
under Dubai consideration is Group 2 winner I Can
in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) — a race his connections
Fly, who has proven herself at the highest level
finished a fine fourth in last year with
when second to Roaring Lion in the Queen
Washington DC.
Elizabeth II Stakes (G1). She is a prime candidate for
O’Brien said: “Lost Treasure is entered for the sprint
the $6 million Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World
on turf and he seems in good order, as well.”
(G1). “Flag of Honour is in the Dubai Gold Cup and
Overall, O’Brien has four wins from 38 starts on
he is in good form,” O’Brien continued. “I Can Fly is
Dubai World Cup night. Three of those victories
well and is likely to run in the Dubai Turf if she
came in the UAE Derby, which he won last year with
travels.” It is often interesting seeing how
Mendelssohn. In addition to highly rated Magical,
Ballydoyle’s 3-year-olds develop over the winter,
the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic front is a fierce
and there are a few possible participants for the
one, with Japan still looming large and plenty of
$2.5 million UAE Derby as O’Brien attempts to gauge
local candidates set to audition on Super Saturday
whether or not he has a live candidate for another
in the $300,000 Dubai City of Gold (G2). Canadian
assault on the ‘Run for the Roses’ in Kentucky.
International (G1) winner Desert Encounter and
“Western Australia, Van
Royal Ascot victor Old Persian lead the ratings in
Beethoven and Albuquerque will run in the Patton
the 2410m turf affair,
Stakes in midweek before a decision is taken about
while Crowned Eagle, Spotify, Racing History, Princ
them running in the UAE Derby,” he said. “Sydney
e of Arran and Marinaresco have realistic claims.
THUNDER MAKING ALL THE RIGHT NOISES GULF NEWS Dubai: Veteran Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour
drive away on Saturday, March 2.
was taking it all in his stride after Thunder Snow,
Bin Surour, who has won the $12 million Dubai
who is bidding to become the first horse in history
World Cup on eight occasions since 1999, was
to win back-to-back Dubai World Cups (G1), ticked
pleased with the way his stable flag-bearer handled
all the right boxes during two important blow outs
his assessment and said it was all systems go for
held within the space of five days.
Thunder Snow’s highly anticipated seasonal
The son of Helmet appeared to be in good nick on
appearance in Round 3 of the $600,000 Al Maktoum
the morning of February 26 when stretching out
Challenge on Super Saturday, March 9.
majestically on the Meydan dirt track under
“We didn’t ask too much of him, we just wanted to
specialist work-rider and six-time British Champion
see how he felt on the Meydan dirt,” Bin Surour told
jockey Kieren Fallon, a performance that he reprised
Gulf News. “It was pretty much a routine piece of
at Godolphin’s Al Quoz training centre, a five-
work, but something that we like to do even though
minute
most of
his work has been done at Al Quoz.
and Very Talented, who he comfortably out galloped
“I liked the way he stretched out and he looked good
during a faster-run second lap at Meydan.
doing what he does best. He’s ready for his
Thunder Snow was drawn favourably in stall 2 for
comeback run, but he will surely improve for it. He
Saturday’s key test with dual Meydan scorer New
hasn’t raced since the Breeders’ Cup Classic at
Trails on his right in stall 3 and UAE debutant
Churchill Downs (November 3, 2018) when he ran a
Logrado on the inside rail.With a lot of speed
big race to finish third.
runners in the race, led by the effervescent
“After that we gave him the break that he deserved.
Capezzano, the start and subsequent tussle for the
He wintered well and looks fresh and happy — the
lead could play a big part in the way the race pans
teams that looks after him have done a great job,”
out.
added Bin Surour.
Bin Surour was not willing to be drawn into
“Kieren gets on him in the mornings and has been
strategies and succinctly said: “Christophe knows
giving us some positive feedback on his
him well and will do what’s best for him.”
conditioning. Christophe [Soumillon] will ride him
The main threat could come from Capezzano, the
on Saturday in a race that we believe will give us
son of Bernardini who ran a blistering race on his
something more to learn as we head towards his
most recent start on January 31, where he bolted
main target, the Dubai World Cup on March 30.
away at the start and kept going to win by an
“But like I said he will need the run, this being his
incredible 14 lengths under Conor Beasley.
first in over five months, and will certainly improve
Latest International Odds:
from it going forward this season.”
Al Maktoum Challenge R3: 11/10 Thunder Snow, 3/1
The handsome bay raced in the company of recent.
Capezzano, 8/1 Gronkowski, 10/1 New Trails, 12/1
"Dubai World Cup Carnival winner Major
Dolkong, 14/1 Nordic Lights, 16/1 Cosmo Charlie,
Partnership
33/1 Furia Cruzada, 33/1 Logrado, 50/1 Montsarrat
8
AJWAD MAKES ALL IN MEYDAN SATURDAY FEATURE ERA Racing at Meydan on Saturday was highlighted
He has won at Jebel Ali, but is mainly a turf
by what appeared to be a wide-open
horse and we hope he has the ability to be a
competitive 1800m turf handicap, the DP World
Dubai World Cup Carnival horse for next year.”
UAE region. That idea was turned upside-down
The meeting commenced with a 1200m dirt
when Rashed Bouresly’s Ajwad stole away under
maiden, the Mina Rashid Marina, and Midnight
a brilliant front-running ride from Bernardo
Sands was a comfortable winner with Pat Dobbs
Pinheiro, leading gate-to-wire and winning his
aboard for Doug Watson and The Cool Silk
third race from 26 tries. The son of Rock of
Partnership celebrating their first UAE winner
Gibraltar was exciting an 11th at Jebel Ali on Jan.
with the first horse they have campaigned
11, but appeared to appreciate the return to the
locally. Second on his first start for Watson, the
turf, winning for the second time in his last four
3-year-old Speightstown colt had three outings
starts.
in Britain for James Given, who considered him
“It is always a pleasure to ride for these
good enough to contest the Coventry Stakes
connections,” Pinheiro said. “The trainer was
(G2) at Royal Ascot. Tracking beautifully, he hit
very confident and gave me perfect instructions,
the front with 300m remaining and won with
so I was not surprised he won so well. He had
his ears pricked, hinting that he could be one to
given the horse a month off and knew he was in
watch in the future.
great form at home.”
Watson said: “He arrived in great shape, but a
Bouresly added: “This is a very nice horse who
bit later than most of our new ones, so we were
has a lot of natural speed, but also stays well.
pleased with his second first time and delighted
to have a winner for a new owner. He had
good signs at home but, as Doug, said, he was
definitely progressed from that first run and is
giving a lot of weight away. The chances are we
a nice horse who I think is staying here for the
will race him next season before retiring him
summer, so could be a nice one for next season.
but the syndicate will discuss that after
That will probably be his final run this
enjoying this.”
campaign, depending on what the handicapper
Grand Argentier then almost completed a
does, because there is racing in April.”
carbon copy double for owner and trainer in
The Mina Hamriya, a 1400m dirt handicap,
the Jafza, a 2000m dirt handicap with Adrie de
produced a thrilling finish with Gervais, who
Vries, immediately grabbing the initiative and
had led from the outset under Fernado Jara,
appearing the likely winner turning for home.
denied right on the line by Iftitah and Tadhg
However, Dobbs was making smooth progress
O’Shea with the two jockeys clearly unsure who
in behind on stable companion Dehbashi, who
had prevailed as they flashed past the winning
wore down, then held off a resurgence from his
post. The verdict went to Iftitah, trained by
friendly rival. Owned by Mohd Khalifa Al Basti,
Satish Seemar for Nasir Askar. He made it three
the 6-year-old Blame gelding was making it five
wins from his last four starts and has now been
UAE victories, all under Dobbs at Meydan, but
successful at Al Ain, Jebel Ali and Meydan. A 5-
first since beating Grand Argentier in March
year-old gelded son of Harbour Watch, he had
last year.
finished second on his previous start at Jebel Ali
Dobbs said: “He is quite a lazy horse and when
and is proving a model of consistency.
he gets to the front he almost wants to stop, so
O’Shea said: “I think Fernando and I would have
he is not the easiest to ride. I was not travelling
both settled for a dead-heat, because it was
particularly well, so went inside to save ground
definitely very close. Luckily, my fellow had his
and then he suddenly carried me into the race
head in front when it mattered. That was a good
strongly, so I probably hit the front too soon,
performance because he was carrying a big
but it worked out ok in the end.”
weight and he has done very well to catch
The owner completed a double with dirt
Gervais who has also run a massive race.”
debutant George Villiers in the 1600m
Driven to lead shortly after the stalls opened by
handicap, the Mina Rashid, combining this time
Royston Ffrench, Mizbah stayed there to land
with Satish Seemar and Richard Mullen,
the Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal, a
denying Watson, Dobbs and EERC another
2200m dirt handicap, in determined fashion.
success with Pillar of Society who led from the
Owned by EERC (Emirates Entertainment
outset before headed about 150m out. Having
Racing Club), the 10-year-old gelding was
his third local outing, having finished ninth
beaten in three previous outings this campaign,
over 2000m and sixth over 1400m on the
all last year, and was returning from a 64-day
Meydan turf, the 4-year-old Dubawi colt is a
break to record his sixth UAE success.
half-brother to Hong Kong Star Viva Pataca and
Watson said: “He was struggling in the early
U.S. dirt Grade 1 winner Laughing.
part of the season and was under a massive
“We have been very patient with him and he
weight today, so we gave him a break,
will improve,” Seemar said. “We will probably
sweetened him up and brought him back slowly.
run him one more time in April and put him
Royston did a great job today, but I must admit,
away for next season when we hope he will be a
under that weight, it was a nice surprise.”
nice horse for us.”
EERC representative, Justin Byrne, added: “We
Mullen added: “He is a good horse and was
hoped for a good run because he was showing
working well on dirt, which his pedigree
suggested would suit him, so we were quite
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Raafid,
hopeful. He is only four and is going to improve
who simply outran all in the final 400m. The 6-
so could be exciting next year.”
year-old son of Shamardal was ridden by Dane
The finale, a 1200m turf handicap, the Jebel Ali
O’Neill and is trained by Ali Rashid Al Rayhi. “The
Port, was won in fine style by His Highness
further he went, the stronger he felt,” O’Neill said.
SEEKING THE SOUL BREEZES IN PREPARATION FOR DUBAI BLOODHORS E
Following a busy morning of workers March 2,
the Jan. 26 Pegasus World Cup Invitational
Charles Fipke's Grade 1 winner Seeking the
Stakes(G1) at Gulfstream Park.
Soul went out to the Fair Grounds Race Course
"We wanted to get a good work in him, the track
& Slots main track during a special designated
has been kind of muddy," Stewart said. "My
time of 11:40 a.m. CT to record another work
thanks to the Fair Grounds, (Director of Racing)
toward the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at
Jason (Boulet) and the track crew, they got us a
Meydan Racecourse March 30.
good track. It's a major race coming up. We're
Trained by Dallas Stewart, the 6-year-old son
thirty days out and we're about thirty days from
of Perfect Soul logged a six furlong breeze in
when we last ran so we wanted a good work. We
1:11 3/5 while recording fractions of :12 3/5, :25
got a couple of easy works in him so now we'll
1/5, :37 1/5, :49, 1:00 1/5, and galloped out in
just keep him happy and get him over there."
1:25 3/5. It was his fourth work since a runner-
An earner of nearly $3 million, Seeking the Soul
up finish in
14 won the Clark Handicap presented by Norton
A Kentucky homebred, Seeking the Soul is out of
Healthcare (G1) at Churchill Downs in November
the grade 1-placed Seeking the Gold broodmare
2017. He finished third in last year's running of
Seeking the Title, who also won the Iowa Oaks
the Clark Handicap following arunner-up effort
(G3). He is a direct descendant of the
behind City of Light in the Breeders' Cup Dirt
undefeated champion filly and iconic broodmare
Mile (G1) at the Louisville oval.
Personal Ensign.
SAN DIMAS LIFTS BANAGAS CUP
Tart, beat Joe’s Spirit by three-fourth-length to win the Banagas Cup, a handicap race, carrying a cash prizes of BD2,000 Dawn Mirage was third and Potentate fourth. Duwaliya, owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla
GULF DAILY NEWS
Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and ridden
SAN Dimas was the biggest winner at
by Andrew Elliott, pipped Blues Guitar by a neck
yesterday’s horse racing at Rashid Equestrian
to win the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait Cup,
and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir.
another handicap race, carrying a cash prize of
San Dimas, owned and trained by Yousif
BD2,500.
Alboainain and ridden by Abdulla Faisal, scored
Nardeen was third and Ghafiya fourth.
an upset victory over Gateway by one-and-one-
Summer Blossom, owned by Al-Afoo Racing
fourth-length to win the Bahrain National Gas
Stable, trained by Mohammed Saeed and ridden
Company (Banagas) Cup for imported horses
by Abdulla Faisal, lived up to expectations
carrying the day’s richest prize of BD5,000.
beating Al Mooriyaat by two lengths to win the
Macaque was third and Cartago fourth.
Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club Cup
Austin Powers, owned by Ramadhan Stable,
carrying a cash prize of BD2,000.
trained by Jaber Ramadhan and ridden by Robert
Pont Vert was third and World Order fourth. London Look, owned by Karrar Abdullhadi Ali
Al Baqqali, trained by Taleb Ali and ridden by
Safwa, owned by Al Awlad Syndicate, trained by
Abdulla Faisal, beat The Nazca Lines by half-a-
James Naylor and ridden by A Rahim Jasim, beat
length to win the Banagas Cup, a handicap race,
Matilda by two lengths to win the Royal Golf
carrying a cash prize of BD3,000.
Club Cup for locally bred horses carrying a
Likethelook was third and Raawy fourth.
cash prize of BD2,500 Royal Blue was third and
Al Hamdaany 1680, owned by Victorious,
Madaar fourth.
trained by Yousif Taher and ridden by Abdulla
Parchment, owned by Victorious, trained by
Faisal, edged out Al Jellaby 1661 by half-a-
Alan Smith and ridden by A Rahim Jasim, beat
length to win the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait
Theeba by two lengths to win the Bank of
Cup for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of
Bahrain and Kuwait Cup for locally bred horses
BD2,000.
carrying a cash prize of BD2,500 Pink Ribbon
Al Saqlawy 1657 was third and Krayaan 1706
Girl was third and Al Saida fourth.
fourth.
BRAVAZO TO MISS DUBAI WORLD CUP TDN
Calumet Farm’s Bravazo (Awesome Again) will
A MGISP multi-millionaire, Bravazo has danced
miss an intended start in the G1 Dubai World
every dance since early last year and was most
Cup later this month and instead undergo
recently fourth in the GI Pegasus World Cup
surgery at Rood and Riddle for a knee issue. The
Jan. 26 at Gulfstream.
problem was detected by Hall of Famer D.
“He had a long, hard campaign, so this might not
Wayne Lukas during training Thursday morning.
be all bad,” Lukas said. “He’ll get a little break.
“He had some gravel and garbage that they
He’ll be back by the first of June and that gives
wanted to clean up,” Lukas said, adding he
him a chance to have a real good summer and
expects Bravazo to return to his barn by June 1.
fall campaign.”
WORLD CUP AIM FOR MAGIC WAND SKY SPORTS The four-year-old filly enjoyed a workout before
(Turf) or a mile and a half (Sheema Classic)." As
racing at Dundalk on Friday evening, and could
well as her victory at the Royal meeting, other
be aimed at either the Dubai Turf or Dubai
high-class efforts for Magic Wand last season
Sheema Classic on March 30. A daughter of
included second-place finishes in both the Prix
Galileo, she was last seen running a fine race to
Vermeille and Prix de l'Opera.
be second in the Pegasus World Cup Turf
Another runner for O'Brien on the big Meydan
Invitational at Gulfrstream Park in January.
card could be Lost Treasure in the Al Quoz
O'Brien said: "Magic Wand did a bit of work
Sprint. The Ballydoyle trainer added: "Lost
witha lead horse and we are thinking of going to
Treasure also worked and he could go for the
Dubai with her."She will either go over nine
sprint if he gets in."
furlongs
AMWAJ STARS IN LEMARTINEL QUARTET AT AL AIN
effort from the last named petered out with
ERA
mare, she has now won three of her four dirt
100m to run when the race looked destined for Sauternes Al Maury, only for Veron to conjure one last effort from Amwaj who put her head back in front right on the line. A 6-year-old
Al Ain staged their biggest race of the season on
outings, the sole defeat coming at Meydan and
Friday and it was a thriller with Amwaj landing
all three victories at Al Ain having won her
the Listed Al Ain Mile by a flared nostril to
penultimate outing, over 2000m as well as
provide His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed
making a winning racecourse debut, in a 1600m
Al Nahyan and Eric Lemartinel a third
maiden, in November 2016.
consecutive winner on the card, as well as
Veron said: “All fairness to the mare because I
completing a double for jockey Fabrice Veron.
thought we were beaten but she just found that
The race started to unfold at the top of the
extra effort right at the end to get back up on
straight when AF Mahshoum, who eventually
the line. Eric told me to take my time on her
finished fourth, took up the running. She lost
and try and challenge in the straight, so that is
that initiative to Sauternes Al Maury with Mirna
what I did and it has worked. She obviously
looming as a big danger wider on the track. The
loves it here at Al Ain and that was a very brave effort.�
The 2000m maiden for horses foaled locally was won
quicker pace, so we challenged later on, but she
stylishly by Mustajeeb, opening his account at the
seemed to know what to do and where the line was!”
fifth attempt and clearly appreciating the longest trip
The opening 1400m handicap, restricted to horses in
he has tackled under Veron, who riding for Sheikh
private ownership, was won in determined fashion by
Khalifa and Lemartinel, was hard at work on the
SS Jalmod who was probably never headed under
home turn. However, with those who had helped
Omani apprentice Abdul Aziz Al Balushi who was
force what looked a very strong pace tiring in the
riding his first UAE winner at just the sixth attempt.
straight, Veron’s mount was able to gain the initiative
Kicked clear about 450m from home, the 4-year-old
with about 250m remaining and the pair won going
colt, wandered violently across the track halfway up
away from toiling rivals. They went very fast early on
the straight, but once finding the standside rail, ran
and I was pushing to keep up,” Veron said. “But in the
on strongly to gain a brave success. Having just his
straight he has shown he has plenty of stamina and
fourth career start, but first at Al Ain, he had twice
with those in front tiring was able to get to them
finished second previously, both times at Sharjah and
quite comfortably in the end.” Owner and trainer
seemingly did not relish the Abu Dhabi turf on his
then completed a quick double with Olivier Doleuze
second outing. He is trained by Younis Al Kalbani for
this time the main in the saddle aboard Faheeda who
Ahmad Saeed AlMazrouei and he looks the type to
landed the following 2000m handicap in dogged
keep on improving with experience.
fashion. After hitting the front almost 400m from
The only Thoroughbred contest, a 1000m handicap,
home, the 5-year-old mare started wandering about
was won comfortably by Midlander, owned by the
in the wide home straight, seemingly giving AF Al
ever popular Ali Haddad and always held in high
Baher, whom she had passed to gain the lead, and
regard by Satish Seemar and his team at Zabeel
eventual runner-up, Men Alemarat, every chance, but
Stables, but finally opening his local account on UAE
they could not get by. A course and distance winner
start 16. Six times a winner in Britain for Mark
last November, it was a third career success for
Johnston and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin
Faheeda, on her twelfth start, all at Al Ain having also
Mohammed Al Maktoum, the 7-year-old Shamardal
landed a 1600m maiden last January.
gelding made his first start for new connections in
“She is hard work and you have to keep asking, but
October 2016, but prior to this victory, finishing
she will respond,” Doleuze said. “I probably hit the
fourth on four occasions was the closest he had come
front too early to be honest, but when they
to victory.
challenged, one either side, she really fought for me
A delighted owner, greeting his first winner of the
to keep them at bay.” Having combined to land the
season, said: “We have been very patient with this
three previous races, Sheikh Khalifa and Lemartinel
horse and I am obviously delighted he has finally won
added the penultimate event to their haul, a 1600m
for us. I think the 1000m is his ideal distance and, on
handicap, also providing the runner-up for good
his first visit to Al Ain, the conditions have really
measure with Veron denied a treble aboard Bashayer
suited him it appears. Now he has won again,
by stable companion Al Jazi partnered by Polish
hopefully he can do so again. If you watch him work
apprentice Joanna Grzybowska. Horse and jockey had
in the mornings he looks like a very good horse, but it
combined to win over course and distance four
has taken him this long to deliver on the track for us.”
weeks ago, a first UAE success for the apprentice, but
Trained in Al Ain at The National Stables by Helal Al
the 7-year-old mare, under different riders, had been
Alawi, Margham Dubai did well to make it third time
beaten at both Abu Dhabi and Sharjah subsequently,
lucky to open his account in the concluding 1600m
but appeared to relish the return to Al Ain to record a
maiden having seemingly stumbled as he exited the
fifth career victory and third on this course.
stalls. However, given to find his stride by Antonio
Grzybowska said: “The last time we were very quickly
Fresu, sporting the silks of Saleh Omar Ali bin Haidar,
from the stalls and always led, but today the race was
the 4-year-old colt was soon in contention before
run at a much
making relentless progress in the final 300m N O M Ato D hit IC | 24