Racing Weekly Issue 9

ISSUE 9 27 DECEMBER 2018

YOUR RACING DESTINATION

SIMON CRISFORD SET UP SATELLITE OPERATION IN DUBAI

COSMO CHARLIE STUNNED STUNS IN LISTED STAKES

JOE’S SPIRIT WINS ALROMAIHI CUP FOR ALMOHAMEDIYA

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

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SIMON CRISFORD TO SET UP SATELLITE OPERATION IN DUBAI NEXT MONTH

DUBAI WORLD CUP FOUR FROM KOREA HEAD TO DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL

MEYDAN COSMO CHARLIE SHINES, STUNNED STUNS IN LISTED STAKES

BAHRAIN JOE'S SPIRIT WINS ALROMAIHI CUP FOR ALMOHAMEDIYA RACING

ABU DHABI WHELAN OPENS UAE ACCOUNT IN ABU DHABI FEATURE

SIMON CRISFORD TO SET UP SATELLITE OPERATION IN DUBAI NEXT MONTH RACING POST Simon Crisford has announced exciting winter

Crisford said: "Setting up a proper satellite

plans to set up a 14-strong satellite operation in

operation in Dubai is something I've had in mind

Dubai in the new year. The Newmarket trainer has

for a while. A lot of my owners are in Dubai and the

plenty of experience of such initiatives having

prize-money is so great. Opportunities are

spent many winters in the UAE at Al Quoz Stables

abundant especially for our American-bred horses

in his former role as racing manager to Godolphin.

that we hope can take to the dirt track at Meydan."

This time around, Crisford is to be based close to

He added of his Dubai set-up: "The facilities are

Meydan racecourse at Millennium Stables where

fantastic and Paul Holley, who won the Triumph

he is to rent boxes from the Dubai Racing Club for

Hurdle on Oh So Risky, is to be our senior member

his team. Among those on the plane to Dubai,

of staff permanently based out there for the

which is to depart the day after Boxing Day, are

winter. Obviously myself and my son and assistant

QEII Stakes third Century Dream, Group 3 winner

Edward will commute there, but everything in the

Sporting Chance and Group 3-placed African Ride

Newmarket stable remains the same."

all of whom could end up racing on Dubai World

Crisford, who created a big impact in 2018 with his

Cup night on March 30. Rather than international

first ever Royal Ascot winner and over £1 million in

visitor status, as he will be operating as a domestic

prize-money, added: "There are 14 horses

Dubai trainer, Crisford will also be able to run

earmarked to leave on December 27 and after six

some of his team at non-Dubai Carnival meetings

days in quarantine some of them could run at the

at Meydan as well support fixtures at Jebel Ali and

first meeting of the carnival on January 4."

Abu Dhabi.

The Newmarket trainer finalised his Dubai team

winner Turn'n Twirl. Crisford added: "Turn'n Twirl

after a racecourse gallop morning at Chelmsford

and Starry Eyes will run in the UAE 1,000 Guineas

on Friday. He said: "African Ride, who won at

trial on the opening night of the Carnival. Beyond

Deauville this year, is dirt bred as he's by Candy

that we are taking out a few old favourites like

Ride out of a Kris S mare and he could head to the

Mutawathea and Trollius, who is owned by Lady

first leg of the Maktoum Challenge on January 11.

O’Reilly, plus Mrs Doreen Tabor’s Match Maker,

Century Dream, who finished an excellent third to

who has had a year off."

Roaring Lion at Ascot last time, will start a bit later

If all goes well, the satellite operation could well be

in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile in March with a view to

an annual event. Crisford said: "I’d like to thank

the Group 1 Dubai Turf on World Cup night."

Saeed Al Tayer and Mali Al Basti who have been

Others of note heading for some welcome Gulf

instrumental in enabling this project to go ahead.

sunshine include Sporting Chance, winner of a

I'm hoping this will be an ongoing winter

Group 3 at Maisons-Laffitte last time as well as a

programme for us and there is sure to be increased

clutch of fillies including last week's Lingfield

interest in Dubai as they build towards Expo 2020."

FOUR FROM KOREA HEAD TO DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL THOROUGHBRED NEWS Four Korea-trained horses left the quarantine area

The 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival horses from

at Seoul Racecourse early on Thursday morning

Korea are:

embarking on a long journey to represent the country at the 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival,

ACE KOREA (USA) [Smiling Tiger – Queen Rolex

which begins on January 3 at Meydan Racecourse.

(Broken Vow)] Horse/2015

The four departed Incheon Airport at 8am on a

Owner: Shin Woo Chul, Trainer: Peter Wolsley

Korean Air Cargo flight to Frankfurt and will arrive

The Busan-based three-year-old ran 5th in the

in Dubai on Saturday.

Korea Sprint (1200M) in September and has won both subsequent starts most recently the Listed

2019 will mark the third time in four years that

Kookje News Cup (1400M) by two-and-a-half

horses trained in Korea have taken their chance at

lengths over 2017 Champion Mare Silver Wolf.

the Carnival. Cheongu and Success Story were the

Those wins too him to a total of six from thirteen

first in 2016, the latter finishing 3rd on two

career starts. Tipped for a big year in 2019, Ace

occasions while five horses made the trip in 2017.

Korea is set to tackle Sprint races in Dubai. He is

Diferent Dimension, Triple Nine and Power Blade

trained by Peter Wolsley, who has previous

all placed, the latter in Group company, while Main

Carnival experience with Diferent Dimension in

Stay became the nation’s first Carnival winner.

2017.

DOLKONG (USA) [Afleet Alex – Swampoodle

latest two starts but had previously demonstrated

(Broken Vow)] Horse/2014

what he’s capable of when winning consecutive

Owner: Lee Tae In, Trainer Simon Foster

class 1 handicaps over 2000M and 2300M in fine style in August and September. Choego Money has

A winner of six of eleven lifetime starts, Dolkong

six wins from twenty-four lifetime starts with his

showed his ability when running 2nd in the Korea

best performances having come this year.

Cup (1800M) in September. He then ran a very good 4th in the season-finale Grand Prix Stakes

BUHWARUI BANSEOK (USA) [Tizway – Aim For

(2300M) in December, coming home barely two-

The Moon (Deputy Minister)] Horse/2013

lengths behind the winner despite having had to

Owner: Lim Doo Soon, Trainer: Bart Rice

race wide the entire time after coming out of gate

An experienced Class 1 campaigner in Korea,

16. Trained by Simon Foster at Seoul, in Korea his

Buhwarui Banseok has won eight of his twenty-

best distances look to be between a mile and

eight career outings to date with his most recent

2000M.

success coming in a very good win over 1800M in October, the minimum trip that he usually races

CHOEGO MONEY (USA) [Stephen Got Even – Lady

at. He has been in solid form this year putting in a

Heroine (Sea Hero)] Horse/2014

number of good performances at the top level.

Owner: Hamchun, Trainer: Simon Foster

Buhwarui Banseok is trained by Bart Rice, who’ll be having his first runner at the Carnival. Previously

Another Simon Foster trainee, Choego Money’s

training in South Africa, Rice has been based at

form may not have shown his true ability in his

Busan since 2013.

COSMO CHARLIE SHINES, STUNNED STUNS IN LISTED STAKES ERA DUBAI (December 20, 2018)—On a card

other than stable companion Stunned, who did

sponsored in its entirety by Pillar Partner Azizi

just that in the final jump under Pat Dobbs.

Developments, racing at Meydan on Thursday

Owned by Mohd Khalifa Al Basti, the 7-year-old

featured three Listed races (two Thoroughbred

gelded son of Shamardal won his seasonal debut

and one Purebred Arabian) two weeks before

over 1200m on his only previous start of the

the start of the eagerly awaited 2019 Dubai

season at the beginning of November. This was a

World Cup Carnival. It also proved a great

first 1600m victory on his 12th attempt at the

evening for champion trainer, Doug Watson who

trip. Thegreatcollection rounded out the top

finished with an impressive five winners.

three for Watson, who completed an early double in the process after taking a 2-year-old

The Dubai Creek Mile (Listed) over 1600m was

maiden affair with upstart Al Seel Legacy’s.

dominated by Watson, who saddled a trio of the seven runners and promptly supplied the first

Dobbs, said: “Obviously, we have to be very

three home. Returning from 999 days off, having

pleased with that and with all three of our

landed the Godolphin Mile (G2) in what remains

horses. Mohd Khalifa Al Basti has a lot of horses

a 1600m track record on the 2016 Dubai World

with us, so it is nice to get a big winner for him.

Cup card when last seen in public, One Man

We thought One Man Band was ready for a big

Band made a gallant attempt to make all the

run and he has produced one, so we have to be

running under Sam Hitchcott. With 400m to

delighted with him as well. Thegreatcollection

run, the son of Pivotal had all six rivals beaten,

ran very well also.”

Seventy minutes later Watson saddled his fourth

“The horse is a lot more relaxed now which

winner of The Entisar (Listed), inaugurated in

makes my life a lot easier and gives himself a far

2013 over the same 2000m dirt course and

better chance in these better races.” Dobbs said.

distance as the world’s most valuable horse

“He is also very versatile because he has plenty

race, the US$12 million Dubai World Cup (G1)

of speed, but has seen this longer trip out well

sponsored by Emirates Airline. Dobbs and

tonight. It gives Doug and the team plenty of

Cosmo Charlie went straight to the front with a

options.”

testing opening quarter and proceeded to put

The Madjani (Listed PA), the only Purebred

on the proverbial breaks, lulling his foes to sleep

Arabian contest on the card, kicked off

through an easy subsequent 1200m before

proceedings and was won relatively cosily by

sprinting home a dominant victor. Left in his

Abhaar, one of four among the 16 runners

wake were the likes of 2017 Godolphin Mile (G2)

saddled by Eric Lemartinel for reigning

winner Second Summer and multiple South

champion owner His Highness Sheikh Khalifa

American Group 1 winner Furia Cruzada. It was

bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sporting a distinguishing

also a second Listed class victory for the 4-

black cap, Olivier Doleuze was content to bide

year-old Stay Thirsty gelding after a similar win

his time on Abhaar, who was well away from the

in 2017’s Al Bastakiya on Super Saturday.

stalls, but from the widest draw of all in 16.

They edged closer at halfway before powering

owned and trained by Ismail Mohammed and

down the straight, on the outside, to snatch the

opening her account at the fifth attempt but just

spoils close home from fellow Group 1 winners Al

second in the UAE and on dirt. Fabrice Veron was

Zahir and Ziyadd.

in the saddle, winning his first Meydan race.

Doleuze, who punched the air in delight crossing

“She learned a lot from her dirt debut and we

the line said: “It is always nice to ride winners,

came here quite confident because she has been

especially in big races and here at Meydan where it

working well,” Veron said. “She should be able to

is so hard to get the rides in the first place. My

improve again and the horses in our yard are

horse has travelled really well all the way round

starting to (do well).”

and when I asked him, really picked up nicely.

The meeting concluded with a 1600m handicap,

After a fast start I took him back and he has done

the Azizi Riveira, in which Watson once again was

that in good style.”

the star of the show, winning with 5-year-old

A decent 1200m handicap, the Azizi Farishta, was

Galvanize, a son of Medaglia d’Oro owned by

run at a furious early gallop with Waady and

Hamid Radan. Returning from a 280-day layoff, the

Pirate’s Cove scampering throughout the first half

Pat Dobbs-piloted charge stalked throughout

of the race before the former dropped early in the

before powering clear turning for home, ultimately

straight. Pirate’s Cove and Xavier Ziani went clear,

finishing well in command. “We were planning on

but from a long way back, Lytham St Annes was

running him earlier in the season, but he had a

produced with a withering late challenge to lead

hiccup in his training,” Watson said. “It was

right on the line, completing a double for Al Basti,

nothing in the end and there weren’t many places

treble for Dobbs and making it four on the card for

to run him back, so we picked this spot. He’s good

Watson. Restricted to 2-year-old fillies’, the Azizi

fresh and we were pretty confident he would run a

Mina, a 1600m maiden, was won by Al Hayette,

big race. He did that really well.”

JOE'S SPIRIT WINS ALROMAIHI CUP FOR ALMOHAMEDIYA

owned by Al Hassanain Syndicate, trained by

GULF DAILY NEWS

BD3,000 Balestra was third and Potentate

FAVOURITES had mixed luck winning two of

fourth. Obeyaan 1702, owned by Safra, trained

the four feature and two of the three support

by Alan Smith and ridden by Rosie Jessop,

events at yesterday’s horse racing at Rashid

won the first feature race of the day which

Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir.

was for the Wasmiya Cup for Arabian horses

The biggest winner of the day was Joe’s

carrying a cash prize of BD1,500 The

Spirit, owned by Al Mohamediya Racing,

favourite beat Musannan 1719 by one-and-

trained by Osama Hashim and ridden by

half-a-length while Al Jellaby 1661 was third

Andrew Elliott . The outsider edged out

and Al Mlolesh 1707 fourth. Caped Crusader,

favourite Excuse to Linger by a head to win

owned by Victorious, trained by Alan Smith

the Ebrahim bin Saad Al Romaihi Cup

and ridden by Gerald Mosse, pipped

carrying a cash prize of BD2,000. Suspect

Dushanbe by a neck to win the Al Hawaj Cup

Package was third and Fujaira Bridge fourth.

carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 Wayne

Another outsider Port Douglas,

Looney was third and Nardeen fourth.

Ali Jan and ridden by Adrie De Vries, caused the biggest shock of the day beating Saajid by two-and-half-a-length to claim the Al Hawaj Cup carrying the richest prize of the day of

Broughtons Salsa, owned by Saher Jafar Al Alawi, trained by Mohammed Saeed and ridden by P Convertino, gave the favourites a good start winning the opening race of the day, the first of three support events, carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 The favourite beat Tamaady by two lengths while Shesaidyes was third and Corsinana fourth.

Sabreena, owned by Abdulla Fawzi Nass, trained by Hesham Al Haddad and ridden

by Husain Makki, beat Rahya by one-andone-fourth-length to win the race for locally bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 Sadara was third and Saheel fourth.

Henry The Horse, owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa, trained

by Alan Smith and ridden by Derreck David, beat Pulsar by three lengths to win the race for locally bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 Emoji was third and Masharif fourth.

WHELAN OPENS UAE ACCOUNT IN ABU DHABI FEATURE

half after a horrible Meydan fall at the beginning of

ERA

Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday was

Spring Offensive, who looked to have the race in

highlighted by the only Thoroughbred race, a

safe keeping 75m out, was thwarted into defeat in

competitive 1600m handicap in which the

the process.

maximum allowed field of 16 went to post and

Whelan said: “Obviously it is great to get that first

produced one of several thrilling finishes enjoyed

winner and to be back in the saddle after a less

throughout the six-race pre-holiday card. It

than ideal start to my local career. I am very

proved to be a landmark occasion for young

grateful to Mr. Al Rayhi and the whole team at

Irishman Ronan Whelan, in his first whose season

Grandstand Stables; both for the opportunity in

in the UAE and with Ali Rashid Al Rayhi at

the first place and their support once I was injured.

Grandstand Stables, was brought to a shuddering

The team seemed quite bullish about Tafaakhor’s

November.

He only returned to the saddle at Meydan on Thursday and partnered his first local winner, on just his tenth mount, when producing Tafaakhor to lead in the final strides for Al Rayhi and His

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chances and I was able to get a nice position and

who supplied first and second in a race few of the

take my time before he picked up really well close

16 runners were ever able to land a blow. Having

home.”

tracked the early leader, Al Jawaher, throughout

The best of the Purebred Arabian action was also a

the first half of the race, AF Makerah hit the front

1600m handicap and it produced a thrilling finish

under Antonio Fresu with the majority of the

with Fabrice Veron and Bainoona devouring the

opposition beaten before they even entered the

ground in the final 300 to snare AF Maher, who had

straight.

led from the outset under Tadhg O’Shea, in the

Fresu said: “As I always say, when you are riding for

closing stages.

these connections you know you are on a live

Trained by Eric Lemartinel for his main patron, His

chance and she had run well on her last start. That

Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the

was over 1400m and the trainer was confident the

5-year-old mare was registering her fifth career

extra 200m would suit her tonight so I was happy

victory and third over course and distance. She had

to ride her positively.”

also won a 1600m Abu Dhabi handicap on her

A third consecutive 1600m handicap, this one

previous outing when ridden by Pat Cosgrave.

restricted to horses in private ownership, followed

“She had a low weight today so I was able to ride

and Al Nabooda went one better with the first three

her,” Veron said. “She won well for Pat last time

home all sporting his black and silver silks. Again

and we were pretty hopeful she could follow up

O’Shea set out to make every post a winning one

which she has done nicely. Mr. Lemartinel and his

and found a willing partner in AF Asheham who led

team at Al Asayl have the horses in top form and it

until the dying strides, only to be passed by Ben

is always a pleasure to ride in these silks.”

Curtis and AF Momtaz, saddled by Musabbeh Al

Turning for home in the opening 2200m maiden, at

Mheiri. However, they veered towards the centre

least ten runners still appeared to hold realistic

of the track where Fresu and AF Motaghatres were

claims before Kaseb and Pierantonio Convertino

finishing fast before losing momentum when

shot clear with what initially appeared a race-

involved in a bump with Curtis’ mount. Fresu just

winning move. However, in behind, Bernardo

had time to regain some impetus with his charge

Pinheiro and AF Al Montagem, who had always

responding determinedly to lead in the final strides,

been just behind the early pace set by Seafe, were

denying AF Momtaz by a nose with just a neck back

making relentless progress and grabbed the

to AF Asheham in third. A delighted Oertel, having

initiative with 150m to run, powering away to win

watched AF Motaghatres, a 1400m Abu Dhabi

easily for Ernst Oertel and his main patron, Khalid

maiden winner in January, score for a second time,

Khalifa Al Nabooda.

on his tenth start, said: “It has been a great evening

Pinheiro said: “I was always happy tracking the

and we knew we had some good chances. Mr. Al

pace on the inside and when I really asked him to

Nabooda is a pleasure to train for and has some

close he responded well so I was pretty confident

very nice horses, which I am lucky enough to have

throughout the majority of the straight. Mr. Oertel

in my care.” Jesus Rosales and Shawall made a

told me the horse was a lazy type and to keep busy

gallant attempt to make all in the 1200m maiden,

on him, so that is what I did and the trainer was

the pair pestered throughout the duration of the

proved correct. I thank connections for this

straight by JAP Al Afreet who, finally, managed to

opportunity.” A second 1600m Purebred Arabian

get his head in front inside the final 100m for Brett

handicap, this one restricted to fillies and mares,

Doyle, only to be mugged close home by the fast

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A first winner of the season for Jaci Wickham, the

campaign for his owner, Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al

4-year-old debutant was nearer last than first

Nahyan, who also bred him.

entering the relatively short Abu Dhabi straight

“That is very pleasing because mine are not

but, once he understood what was required of him

normally fully tuned up first time out,” Wickham

by Connor Beasley, made relentless progress

said. “Connor has given him an excellent ride and

throughout the final 300m to snatch a dramatic

the horse will hopefully improve a lot from that.”

victory. It was also a maiden success of the

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SADLER, HRONIS MAY MULL DUBAI WORLD CUP TRIP FOR GIFT BOX HORSE RACING NATION

Before that, local options include the San Pasqual (G2) on Feb. 2 and the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on March 9.

Accelerate won both for Sadler and Hronis earlier this year to launch a campaign that has him both in the conversation for Horse of the Year and will make the Lane's End Farm-bound stallion the favorite for the Jan. 26 Pegasus World Cup (G1).

It was the hunch play of the afternoon Wednesday

Also in Sadler's care is Catalina Cruiser, a highly

at Santa Anita Park when the horse named Gift Box

regarded Grade 2 winner due back in training soon

delivered a post-Christmas present to his new

after running off form in the Breeders' Cup Dirt

connections, trainer John Sadler and Hronis

Mile. As for Gift Box, another 5-year-old, "We’ve

Racing. Both expect the San Antonio Stakes (G2)

loved him since we got him," said Kosta Hronis.

winner to contend next year in California's top

"He’s a big, strong guy. He levels off good and he’s a

races for older male horses.

pro. He’s very seasoned. He had second-it is back East, but I think we pushed him over the hump.

What about going international?

“He won’t run in the Pegasus. He’ll stay here and

"We’re not opposed to going to Dubai with him,"

run in the Santa Anita stakes races. We’ll let

said Sadler, with the Dubai World Cup worth $12

Accelerate do his thing at the Pegasus all by

million for its 2019 running on March 31 at Meydan.

himself."

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Sadler said he had monitored the son of Twirling

and a strong allowance win March 24 in his final start in

Candy's progress as he trained the sire, a multiple

New York. "He went back to the farm, and the previous

graded stakes runner from 2009-2011.

owners indicated that they’d like to move him along, so I went back there before the September yearling sale

Gift Box made 13 starts for his former connections,

and took a look at him and liked him," Sadler said. “I

trainer Chad Brown and William S. Farish, including

know he can run. He’s had some good speed figures.

a fourth to Arrogate in the Travers Stakes (G1)

We took a shot and here we are.

TALISMANIC, 'A FINE FIT FOR JAPAN,' LEADS DARLEY STALLION ROSTER

Talismanic, a striking son of leading US sire Medaglia d’Oro, defeating nine Grade or Group 1 winners in his edition of the Turf at Del Mar. He was also a winner at 2, breaking his maiden by seven lengths, before winning stakes at 3, 4 and 5.

HORSE RACING NATION Talismanic hails from the same family as Fees have been announced for the seven

outstanding sire Deep Impact and Champion

stallions who will stand on the Darley roster in

Rey De Oro.

Japan in 2019 led by recent retiree Talismanic, the 2017 Breeders' Cup Turf winner who will

Shotato Kajiya, Nominations Manager, said,

stand at 1.8 million yen, or about $16,300.

“We are delighted to offer Japanese breeders

a more powerful lineup of stallions than ever, with an

breeders in Japan, and covered 170 mares in 2018.

exciting new addition in Breeder’s Cup winner Talismanic, who looks to be a fine fit for Japan. I am

The Darley roster in Japan is completed by American

very happy that he is joining our stallion roster.

Patriot (1.5 million yen), who will cover his second book of mares in 2019; proven Group 1 sire Discreet Cat (1.5

Darley also announced that Admire Moon, sire of

million yen); consistent winner-getter Furioso (0.5

multiple Group 1 winner Fine Needle, will stand at a fee

million yen); Dubawi’s Dubai World Cup-winning son

of 1.5 million yen.

Monterosso (1 million yen); and Pyro, Japan’s leading sire by NAR earnings (2.5 million yen).

His first winner of the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, Seiun Kosei, added another Group win to his

“We have already had significant interest in our 2019

record in 2018, helping to ensure Admire Moon was

stallion roster, especially Pyro, Admire Moon, and

responsible for more Group-winning sprinters in 2018

Furioso, all of whom have enjoyed an excellent year on

than any other sire in Japan.

the racecourse," Kajiya said. "We appreciate the support of our breeders and look forward to another busy

Admire Moon has been consistently popular with

season at the stallion complex.”