Racing Weekly Issue 3

ISSUE 3 • 15 NOVEMBER 2018

YOUR RACING DESTINATION

IN SEARCH OF FIRST DERBY

CHAMPION AL SHAMOOS

GODOLPHIN TURNS TO BAFFERT

SETS SIGHTS ON KAHAYLA CLASSIC

RASHID EQUESTRIAN H O L D S S E A S O N ’ S SECOND MEETING

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

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04

BOB BAFFERT IN SEARCH OF FIRST DERBY WIN, GODOLPHIN TURNS TO BAFFERT

06

AL SHAMOOS SETS SIGHTS ON KAHAYLA CLASSIC AFTER GROUP 1 SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN JEWEL CROWN WIN

08

BAHRAIN RACING RASHID EQUESTRIAN CLUB HOLDS SEASON’S SECOND MEETING

10

MEYDAN SUPERIOR, TAAMOL SHOW PROMISE THURSDAY AT MEYDAN

14

ALAIN Al Ain kicks off busy weekend for UAE horse racing

PAGE 4

IN SEARCH OF FIRST DERBY WIN, GODOLPHIN TURNS TO BAFFERT TDN

An unraced horse named Coliseum (Tapit) worked four furlongs in :47 2/5 yesterday morning at Santa Anita. It was his fourth recorded public workout, and the word is out. The off-shore bookmaker Bovada has the horse at 20-1 in its latest winterbook wagering for the Kentucky Derby.

It should come as no surprise that the colt is trained by Bob Baffert, but when it comes to the owner it’s not one of Baffert’s usual suspects. The horse is owned by and was bred by Godolphin.

Godolphin only recently became a client of Baffert’s. The trainer explained that he is now getting horses from them because they are appreciative of his on-going support of the Dubai World Cup racesand they want to win the GI Kentucky Derby. With Godolphin having just won its first G1 Melbourne Cup with Cross Counter (GB) Teofilo {Ire}), the Derby remains of one of the few iconic races on the globe that the stable has not won. They’re counting on me,” Baffert said.

“They’ve won everything there is to win but the Kentucky Derby. I think they’re saying, ‘Ok, it’s up to you now, Bob, to get it done.’ They sent me a couple of 2-year-olds, but this one (Coliseum) is definitely the best one.” Before you rush off to Las Vegas to bet on Coliseum to win the Derby, you might want to note that Baffert also said,” I don’t have any American Pharoahs (Pioneerof the Nile) or Justifys (Scat Daddy) in my barn this year.”

But he does believe that Coliseum is a horse with a lot of upside. “He’s a nice horse, but he’s a Tapit and has a lot of typical Tapit issues,” Baffert said.

“He can be a head case. In the middle of his works he just wants to take off. But his work (Sunday) was definitely his best so far.”

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PAGE 5

PRINCE OF ARRAN HEADING TO HONG KONG SPORTING LIFE

Prince Of Arran will head to the Far East later this month in a bid to cap what has been an amazing year for trainer Charlie Fellowes.

The Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on December 9 is the target for the five-year-old, who has given connections memorable days in Dubai, the United States and Australia, as well as in the UK. Prince Of Arran gave Fellowes a day to remember when third in the Melbourne Cup, just days after he clinched his place in the 'race that stops a nation' by winning the Group Three Lexus Handicap at Flemington. "Prince Of Arran is a very happy boy.

He's in a great place. He's still out at Werribee in Australia. He had an easy week last week and we're just stating to pick things up again this week," said the Newmarket handler.

"The plan is to to fly to Hong Kong on November 26 and he'll be prepared for the Hong Kong Vase on December 9. Then he will have a longoverdue holiday."

The Newmarket handler went on: "He's been remarkable. If you told me in January that 10 months later I'd be flying over for the Hong Kong Vase and going there with a realistic shout I'd have chuckled!

"He's improved and improved all year - mentally rather than physically. Mentally he's in such a good place at the moment.

"He's enjoying his racing, which I don't think he was as a younger horse, and he's done really well.

"He's won about £620,000 this year and placed at Group One level, won at Group Three and was unlucky in a Group Two. "He's not only improved out of all recognition, but has become incredibly consistent, which he wasn't before. For a young trainer like me that's unbelievable. He's taken us to places I never thought we'd go.

"We've only got 50 horses in training and we've won over £1million globally in prize-money on the back of a strong year back in England. It's been a wonderful year."

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FEATURE

PAGE 6

AL SHAMOOS SETS SIGHTS ON KAHAYLA CLASSIC AFTER GROUP 1 SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN JEWEL CROWN WIN

THE NATIONAL Al Shamoos provided French trainer Charles Gourdain with his first and biggest career prize winner in Abu Dhabi.

The four-year-old filly ridden by French jockey Julien Auge produced a strong run on the home stretch to win the Dh5 million Group 1 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Jewel Crown in the silks of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed on Friday evening.

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PAGE 7 Auge had Al Shamoos behind the leading group

Weissmeier, 21, was victorious on Jean de

before producing his challenge from the 400

Roualle’s Harrab in the Sheikha Fatima bint

metres out marker to win by a length from Fazza

Mubarak Apprentice Jockey Championship half-

Al Khalediah, winner of the Group 1 World Cup on

an-hour earlier.

the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe day in his last start.

“It was an amazing race to win,” said Danz who Al Shamoos will return to France but Gourdain

took up the running on the home stretch to win

has not ruled out returning for a crack at the

from Bainoona by three and-a-half lengths.

Kahayla Classic, the Arabian showpiece on the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 30 at

“I have been riding in Germany for 10 years and

Meydan.

this is my fifth year riding in the Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Festival for Purebred Arabians.

“If everything goes well and as planned, we’ll return to defend the title in Abu Dhabi,” said the

“I have no words to describe winning this prize.

Frenchman.

The feeling of winning a big race is incredible."

“She has got a great future. We will be doing her

For Weissmeier, winning a race outside her native

program in Europe and in this area as well. We

Germany, was her biggest achievement.

will think about bringing her for the Kahayla Classic.

“The trainer instructed me to be behind the lead horses, which I did, and when we turned the final

“The only worry is she hasn’t raced on the dirt. She

corner I got space to go from the inside. He was

has run on the all-weather and won in Sweden.

flying from there,” she said.

Yes, we’ll consider when the time comes.”Gourdain said he was quietly confident of

Like Danz, Weismeier also rides professionally in

Al Shamoos’ chances coming to Abu Dhabi after

Germany, but the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed

she scored a victory in a Group 1 race at

Festival for Purebred Arabians permits jockeys

Longchamp in her last start.

who are under 25 to take part.

“She was very impressive in her victory in the last

“I was runner up two years ago in the same race

start but you never know when you are against

and it was nice feeling to win this time. This is also

older horses,” added Gourdain.

my first winner in the Sheikh Mansour Festival after a couple of seconds.”

“She travelled very well behind the leader and finished like she did in Longchamp.”

Earlier, the German riders Rebecca Danz and Esther Weissmeier were both victorious in supporting races on the six-race card.

Danz, 29, aboard Asyyad. triumphed for trainer Eric Lemartinel in the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Championship.

PAGE 8

RASHID EQUESTRIAN CLUB HOLDS SEASON’S SECOND MEETING GDN

Al Rabda 1558, owned by Victorious, trained

by Yousif Taher and ridden by Husain Makki, won the other feature race of the day which was for the Al Sakhir Cup for Arabian horses, . The favourite beat Al Jellaby 1656 by five lengths. Al Jellaby 1434 was third and Al Hamdanieh 1637 fourth. The day began well for the favourites with Duwaliya, owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained

by James Naylor and ridden by Andrew

MUNSHID scored the biggest and lone upset

Elliott, cruising to victory in the race for

of the day at Rashid Equestrian and Horse

locally bred races, edging out Shomukh by a

Racing Club in Sakhir. Munshid, owned by Al

head, Hasbah was third Wishah

Sairafi Syndicate, trained by Osama Hashim

fourth. Another favourite Yaoud, owned by

and ridden by Andrew Elliott, beat Prince

Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa,

Bonnaire by a neck to win the Late

trained by James Naylor and ridden by

Abdulhadi Al Afoo Cup which carried a cash

Andrew Elliott, followed suit beating Stevie G

prize of BD2,000 Millers Wharf was third and

by three-fourth-length to win the handicap

Taking Libertys fourth.

race.

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Al Rabda 1558, owned by Victorious, trained

PAGE 9

by Yousif Taher and ridden by Husain Makki, won the other feature race of the day which was for the Al Sakhir Cup for Arabian horses. The favourite beat Al Jellaby 1656 by five lengths. The day began well for the favourites with Duwaliya, owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and ridden by Andrew Elliott, cruising to victory in the race for locally bred races, edging out Shomukh by a head, Hasbah was third Wishah fourth. Another favourite Yaoud, owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained

by James Naylor and ridden by Andrew Elliott, followed suit beating Stevie G by three-fourth-length to win the handicap race. Torqit, owned by Mohammed Yousif Sarhan, trained by Yousif Sarhan and ridden

by Ali Samir, beat Likethelook by half-alength to win the race for imported horses. American Artist, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained by Alan Smith and ridden by Gerald Mosse,

beat Emerald by three-fourthlength to win the race for imported horses which carried a cash prize of BD2,000. Wayne Looney, owned by H and R Stables, trained by Alan Smith and ridden by Rosie Jessop, completed a good day for the favourites beating Caped Crusader by half-a-length to win the race for locally bred horses.

SUPERIOR, TAAMOL SHOW PROMISE THURSDAY AT MEYDAN ERA Racing at Meydan returned on Thursday

Walking Thunder, won a 1400m maiden at

evening with a seven-race, all-dirt card,

Meydan last Thursday. Both were ridden by

including five competitive handicaps and a

Connor Beasley. “As with Walking Thunder,

pair of 1600m maidens. Proceedings began

we were hopeful because his work at home

with the first of the maidens, the Longines

had been good,” bin Harmash said.

Ladies Master Collection, contested by six

“Obviously, we are delighted to have won

juveniles foaled in the northern

the first two maidens for the 2-year-

hemisphere of whom four were making

olds.Phoenix Ladies principal Pamela

their debuts. Ahmad bin Harmash-trained

Cordina added: “Amazing. We could not

Superior, who lived up to his name,

have hoped for a better start and, again,

prevailed after a titanic struggle with Doug

credit to Ahmad who was confident and

Watson-trained fellow debuter Martial Art.

Connor for another great ride. I would be

A thrilling stretch duel between the two

hesitant to suggest we're finding this game

well-regarded colts made for an inspiring

easy. A lot of hard work goes into finding

glimpse of what could be two future

and preparing winners, but at the moment

Meydan stars. A son of the impeccably swift

we're proving that with the right

sprinter Majesticperfection, Superior

preparation, study of races and pedigrees,

continued the perfect start to racehorse

you can have success. A massive thank you

ownership for the Phoenix Ladies

to Ahmed and his staff for their hard work

Syndicate, whose first ever runner,

and to Connor for giving our two runners such great rides.

PAGE 11 We want to get more women involved in

Al Rayhi said. “Hopefully he can follow this

racing and this syndicate is an ideal way for

up.” O’Neill added: “I was quite impressed

them to do that.” Superior is a half-brother

with him though a bit worried because he

to four winners and their dam is a half-

was sweating on the way to the start. He

sister to the dam of Grade 2 winners War

broke well and was a bit fresh early on, but

Story and Land Over Sea.

once I had a bit of cover, I was happy most

The official feature was the Longines V H P

of the way round. He was always highly

Collection, a 1400m handicap, which

regarded in England and now, having had

appeared highly competitive on paper with

a Dubai summer on his back, has

its eight runners. However, Taamol, who

acclimatised properly and he could be a

pulled noticeably early under Dane O’Neill,

nice horse this season on either surface.”

had enough to quicken clear, outclassing

The Al Rayhi double was initiated in the

his rivals. O’Neill, who had the choice of

second 1600m maiden, the Longines La

three for his boss, His Highness Sheikh

Grande Classic Collection, which was run at

Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was able

a searing gallop throughout the first half of

to settle Taamol in behind Lytham St

the race with at least half of the 12 runners

Annes and Mazeed. He briefly had to niggle

seeming to want to lead. Of those who did

his mount on the home turn, but they soon

race prominently, Roy Orbison was the only

had the other pair in their sights and

one to remain in contention throughout,

ultimately posted a comfortable

leading halfway up the straight and soon

triumph, completing a double on the card

with the race in safe keeping. Fernando

for trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi. “We were

Jara was in the saddle for Al Rayhi and

very hopeful today when dropping the

owner Mohd Khalifa Al Basti

horse in class and knew he was in good form coming into the race

PAGE 12 They may have been denied in the opener

with this race in mind over 1600m. He will

with Martial Art, but Dobbs and Doug

probably have a month off and then come

Watson soon gained compensation,

back over 1600m or perhaps step up to

teaming up to land the following Longines

2000m. We really hope he is a Dubai World

Gents Record Collection, a 2000m

Cup Carnival horse.” In similar fashion,

handicap, with Al Basti’s Tried and True,

jockey and trainer wasted no time in

who completed a one-two finish for Doug

doubling up with Lavaspin, who ran out

Watson, as Grand Argentier finished

the comfortable winner of the Longines

second. Watson said: “Pat has given him a

Ladies Record Collection, a handicap over

great ride and was able to settle him off

1200m. Owned by Mohd Khaleed Ahmed,

the speed, but keep out of the kickback

this was only Lavaspin’s fifth career outing

before he ran on very strongly in the

and first at Meydan, having won once in his

straight. He had been training very well

penultimate outing.

and we thought the small field would suit

“It was the first time he had raced around

him because he does not like the kickback.

the turn, having only run on the straight at

Grand Argentier was slowly away, but has

Jebel Ali, so that was a concern,” Mullen

still run very well. We also had Storm Belt

said. “I was able to get inside other horses

in there, but he was hampered, which cost

on the bend, which was ideal. In the end,

him his chance.”

though we were hopeful, he has probably

Touch Gold Racing were a second

won in better style than I expected.”

syndicate to celebrate a victory on the

The concluding 1600m handicap, the

card, courtesy of Welford, who was the

Longines Dolce Vita Collection, featured a

comfortable winner of the Longines Master

well-timed ride by Xavier Ziani on His

Collection Moon Phase, a 1600m handicap,

Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed

with Richard Mullen in the saddle for

Al Maktoum’s Sandeep Jadhav-trained

Satish Seemar. Twice a winner in Great

Untold Secret, who waited patiently for

Britain when trained by Mark Johnston for

daylight on the rail behind the leaders

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al

turning for home. Once the proverbial seas

Maktoum, this was just his fourth UAE

parted, the son of Shamardal scooted clear

outing and second of the current

with authority and won with something in

campaign. Welcomed to the winner’s

reserve.

enclosure by a large crowd of enthusiastic owners, connections revealed this race was identified as a target when the conditions book was announced. “We knew the 1200m was on the short side for him last time and he has had a few problems since we have had him,” said syndicate manager Mike Kaye. “Therefore we decided to give him a run at Jebel Ali, where he does not really like the hill,

Al Ain kicks off busy weekend for UAE horse racing THE NATIONAL

Bashayer, Marahib and Tawazun, under the stable jockey Pat Cosgrave, look the pick of Lemartinel’s entries in the second, fifth and seventh races respectively. Satish Seemar is double-handed in the solitary race for the thoroughbreds with Iftitah and Heraldic. Iftitah is the choice of the stable’s

The UAE horse racing season enters its fourth

first jockey, Richard Mullen, but assistant

week with three meetings scheduled over

trainer Bhupat Seemar believes both horses

three days across the Emirates, starting at Al

can challenge for victory having already got a

Ain on Thursday followed by Jebel Ali and

run each under their belt this term. “Our

Sharjah over the weekend.

horses have been improving for their seasonal

At the Al Ain Racecourse, Eric Lemartinel, the

debuts,” he said. “Iftitah proved last season he

leading trainer for Purebred Arabians last

handles the Al Ain surface, whereas Heraldic

season, has 14 runners in five of the six races

will be trying it for the first time. “We hope it

for the breedin a seven-race card that also

will suit and both should be competitive in an

include a race for thoroughbreds.

open race.”

Selvaratnam earlier this year, is yet to break

Bachalard in no hurry to find success

the ice at his home track, but insists he is not

GULF NEWS

losing any sleep over it. “We certainly don’t

It will be his first start in 435 days since he

feel the pressure,” he said at Jebel Ali

won his maiden at Gulfstream Park when

Racecourse on Tuesday. “We expect most of

previously trained by David Braddy.

the good horses to perform well by the end of

In his first season in the UAE, Bachalard

the year or early January. “(But) we’re running

acknowledged that the domestic racing scene

a nice horse from America (Draco), first time

was fiercely competitive.

out, this week, but he’s probably going to

“Anywhere you go it’s very competitive and

need the run, as it’s his first start in quite a

the UAE is no different,” he said. “Every trainer

while.” The lightly-raced son of Astrologer will

wants to win, that’s what we’re in the business

be making his three-year-old debut in the

for. “Wherever there is big prize money it’s

feature race Emirates NBD co-feature on

harder to win, nothing comes easy in the

Friday, where he takes on eight rivals.

sport.

Nicholas Bachalard, the new boss at Jebel Ali, is happy to give his runners more time to find their form in what is being seen as transition year for the yellow stable. The Frenchman, who replaced interim trainer Karthi

PAGE 16

Seemar and Mullen takes Sharjah feature with Bedaveeya

in company with the Doug Watson duo of Dangerous Thought and Team Meeting. It was the last named who found the going too tough nearing the 300m pole at which point Dangerous Thought hit the front but was soon challenged by Bedaveeya with Ajwad still battling between them. However, with about 100m remaining, Mullen’s mount surged clear to settle the matter in a few strides, chased

ERA Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club staged

home by Dangerous Thought with a gallant

the first of its six fixtures throughout the new

In doing so, Bedaveeya provided owners Dubai

campaign on Saturday, a six-race card

Japan Aibakai with a first UAE winner and is

highlighted by the sole Thoroughbred contest,

the only horse to have raced for them to date.

a handicap over 1000m, won comfortably by

“That was only his fourth career start and he

Bedaveeya.

can improve,” Mullen said: “He had two runs

Partnered by Richard Mullen, riding for his

late last season at Jebel Ali

main employer Satish Seemar, they chased the strong early pace set by Ajwad,

Ajwad denied third close home by Jockey Joe.

PAGE 17

and back there again at the first meeting of

Curtis, who had won the opener at Abu Dhabi

the new campaign when he was an excellent

on Friday for Al Mheiri aboard AF Momtaz,

second. “He has come on a lot for that outing

said: “That was close and credit to both horses

and we hoped this flat track would suit him

who have really tried hard. Luckily for me, we

because he has plenty of natural speed.”

arrived at the post with my horse’s neck

The opening 1200m maiden produced a

extended and, crossing the line, I thought we

thrilling finish with Muhaymin and Emir De

had just made it. “This is my fourth winner in

Carrere locked together throughout the final

my first UAE campaign which has really

300m, shortly after the latter had headed the

started well and is proving a great

early leader, AF Lewaa. Debutant Muhaymin,

experience. The following 1200m handicap

with William Lee riding for Helal Al Alawi,

also developed into a duel, this time over the

gained the initiative with less than 200m to

concluding 400m with AF Meghwaar and

run but Emir De Carrere, under a powerful

Fernando Jara attempting to get past ES

drive from Ben Curtis, refused to be beaten

Tango, the pair puling clear of their 13 rivals.

and regained the advantage in the final

Try as they may, it proved a fruitless quest

strides. Having his fourth start, the determined

with ES Tango responding gamely to the

victor is trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri and

urgings of Sam Hitchcott and registering a

was a first winner for owners Al Wasl Racing

third career victory, all on dirt.

with their 21st runner.

PAGE 18

Trained on the Sharjah track by Ibrahim Al

Settled in midfield by Connor Beasley, the

Aseel, ES Tango made a winning debut, over

winner made stealthy progress down the back

this course and distance almost exactly two

straight but still had plenty of ground to make

years ago, as well as landing a 1000m dash at

up entering the final turn. However, once

Al Ain last December.

straightened for home, Beasley’s mount

“Obviously we like to do well here on our

responded well for pressure to open her

home course,” Aseel said: “And it is important

career tally at the seventh attempt.

to have winners for my main patron, Sheikh

Homebred by Mansoor Khalifa Sultan bin

Abdulla bin Majid Al Qassemi who also bred

Habtoor, the filly delighted her trainer, Elise

this mare.”

Jeanne, who said: “She has shown a really

Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea will be riding

good attitude there and it is a great result for

a lot for owner Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda,

the owner, as well as our yard.

who enjoyed an Abu Dhabi double on Friday,

“Connor rode her very well and timed his

this season and they combined to land the

challenge to perfection after it looked like the

1000m maiden with homebred debutant AF

runner-up had the race won.”

Alwajel.

The finale, a 1700m handicap, produced a

Never far off the pace, the pair quickened to

virtual carbon copy finish only this time

the front just over halfway and they galloped

Jeanne and Beasley were denied close home

resolutely to the line with the result never in

by Al Jazi who appeared a most unlikely

any doubt. The winner is prepared by Ernst

winner when, early in the back straight, she

Oertel, who trains the majority of the Al

was being rousted along by Pat Cosgrave and

Nabooda string, and appears to have a decent

seemingly struggling.

young horse on his hands.

However, the pair started to make ground on

“He had been working well on the dirt surface

the home turn while, up front, Beasley had set

at home so we were quite hopeful,” Oertel

sail for home on MH Areeb in what had looked

said: “Mr Al Nabooda has some nice horses

a race winning move. It was only in the final

and deserves all the success he gets as he

150m the result looked in any doubt and, with

puts a lot into the sport, especially with the

Beasley’s mount tiring, Al Jazi actually won

local Purebred Arabians he breeds on his

going away.

farm.”

Running in the colours of His Highness Sheikh

O’Shea added: “Winners are always nice and

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and trained by

especially so in these colours. I have enjoyed

Eric Lemartinel, it was a third career victory for

plenty of good luck in them over the years and

the 6-year-old mare, but first since she landed

Ernst and I have always done well together.”

a 1000m dash at Al Ain in February 2017.

The 2000m maiden produced another close

“She has run on very well in the end,” Cosgrave

finish with Jiniz, who seemingly had the race

said: “She certainly made me work, but in

in safe keeping turning into the short Sharjah

fairness, when it mattered she has delivered.”

straight, denied close home by Mh Reyah E’Shemal.

PAGE 19