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  • 05 February 2022
    Octave stars in Al Hammadi & Al Ajban Stables trebles with thrilling feature race success in Al Ain

    Seven races in Al Ain on Saturday were highlighted by the Second Leg Of The Al Ain Marathon Series, a 4100m handicap, won by Octave, but only just having looked to have the race in safekeeping a long way out.

    Soon in front under Dane O’Neill, he was sent clear just after halfway and was still on the bridle with 600m remaining. O’Neill started to ask him to go about his business and everything was seemingly going smoothly until the final 125m when the jockey was sending out distress signals as his mount, understandably, tired dramatically.

  • 05 February 2022
    Opening round of Triple Crown obvious Abu Dhabi Monday highlight

    Racing on the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club turf on Monday is officially highlighted by the Arabian Triple Crown R1, a 1600m Listed affair for the 4yo Classic generation.

    Bahar Muscat arrives unbeaten for Ibrahim Al Hadhrami having won his 1200m debut on the Muscat dirt just over a year ago before a pair of victories over this 1600m course and distance in the capital.

  • 04 February 2022
    Hot Rod Charlie stars in Meydan doubles for O’Neill and Buick, who later completes a treble, on quality DWCC card

    Friday’s fourth meeting of the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival (DWCC) at Meydan was highlighted by the 1900m dirt Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 in which class prevailed, Hot Rod Charlie making all to complete doubles on the card for Doug O’Neill and William Buick.

    Owned by Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, Strauss & Gainesway, the 4yo Oxbow colt was stalked throughout the first 1600m by eventual runner-up Al Nefud before burning off that rival passing the 300m pole and pulling clear to win impressively.

  • 04 February 2022
    Carnival class contenders top the Meydan charts on Sunday

    Racing at Meydan on Sunday, a marquee fixture, is highlighted by a trio of AED95,000 handicaps each of which has attracted runners at the top of the weights who are already qualified for the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

    Ten have been declared for the 1900m turf handicap in which the weights are headed by the Simon Crisford duo Frank Zafka and Latest Generation, the latter, owned by Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, the highest rated runner (96) in action on the card and seemingly the choice of James Doyle.

  • 03 February 2022
    Marathon highlight at Al Ain on Saturday with a cracking sprint to conclude proceedings

    Seven races in Al Ain on Saturday, all for Purebred Arabians and highlighted by the Second Leg Of The Al Ain Marathon Series, a 4100m handicap for which 12 have been declared including five runners for Abdallah Al Hammadi and Al Ajban Satbles.

    The Al Hammadi quintet is headed by veteran Balad Al Reef with the 11yo attempting to concede weight to his 11 rivals with Richard Mullen in the saddle.

  • 03 February 2022
    Carnival action steps up a gear as Hot Rod Charlie makes Meydan debut in Maktoum Challenge feature

    Meydan’s fourth meeting of the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival on Friday appears the best yet this year, highlighted by a cracking renewal of the 1900m dirt Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 for which 12 have been declared, including Hot Rod Charlie for the US and Doug O’Neill.

    The 4yo colt, to be ridden for the first time by William Buick, has won three times in the States, highlighted by his victory in the 1800m Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby in September. He was then fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

  • 30 January 2022
    Notable 1-2 for Al Alawi in Sunday’s Meydan feature

    Racing at Meydan on Sunday was officially highlighted by a 2410m turf handicap, dominated by Helal Al Alawi who saddled both the first two home, Autumn Pride and Bernardo Pinheiro taking the main prize for the National Stables.

    Richard Mullen was aboard runner-up Mystery Land, half a length separating the stablemates at the line but never able to land a serious blow with Pinheiro’s mount probably never headed.

  • 29 January 2022
    Big race clues aplenty at Jebel Ali for course’s upcoming seasonal highlights

    Racing at Jebel Ali on Saturday afternoon was highlighted by a conditions race over 1600m in which Down On Da Bayou, the only filly in the race, proved far too good for her five rivals, taking full advantage of bottom weight.

    Perfectly drawn in stall one to adopt her customary positive tactics, the 5yo daughter of Super Saver was soon in front under Royston Ffrench with pair shooting clear with about 500m left, the race soon in safekeeping.

  • 28 January 2022
    Easy Classic success for Shahama before Real World takes Meydan feature to star among four Godolphin winners on third night of carnival

    Friday’s third meeting of the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival was highlighted by the 1600m turf feature, the Group 2 Zabeel Mile, won in great style by Real World, Danny Tudhope taking the ride in place of an unwell Frankie Dettori for Saeed bin Suroor and a third winner on the evening for Godolphin.

    Always travelling well, the homebred Dark Angel 5yo entire quickened to lead about 300m out and soon had the race in safekeeping to maintain his unbeaten record on turf with five wins from as many starts on grass, including all four starts in Europe last year.

  • 28 January 2022
    More carnival clues on Sunday at Meydan’s matinee fixture

    Racing at Meydan on Sunday, a matinee meeting, is officially highlighted by a 2400m turf handicap for which nine have been declared with the weights headed by Rastrelli, to be ridden by Mickael Barzalona for Ismail Mohammed.

    The 7yo gelding has not had much racing in recent times, with just five appearances since May 2018, but undoubtedly has plenty of ability and connections likely hold Dubai World Cup Carnival aspirations.

  • 28 January 2022
    Carnival prospects hoping advertise claims at Jebel Ali on Saturday

    Racing at Jebel Ali on Saturday afternoon is highlighted by a pair of conditions races, both attracting proven Dubai World Cup Carnival or horses with aspirations to compete at Meydan’s international jamboree.

    Down on Da Bayou, winner of the 1900m Group 3 UAE Oaks at Meydan in February 2020 by almost 19 lengths was successful for the first time since on her penultimate start in a 1600m conditions contest here at Jebel Ali five weeks ago.

  • 27 January 2022
    Strong hand for Godolphin in featured Zabeel Mile at third meeting of 2022 carnival

    Friday’s third meeting of the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival is highlighted the 1600m Zabeel Mile, a turf feature won by horses saddled by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin in each of the last three years.

    Appleby saddles both One Ruler and Path Of Thunder for the owners with William Buick opting to ride the latter, a 5yo gelded son of Night Of Thunder and victorious in the Zabeel Trophy, a conditions race over this same 1600m on turf, three weeks ago.

  • 24 January 2022
    Dobbs steers spare ride to big race glory in Abu Dhabi

    Monday’s meeting on the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club turf was highlighted by the 1200m Group 3 Al Ruwais, ultimately won convincingly by Ashton Tourettes, one of four who passed the 200m pole locked in a battle.

    Saddled by Ibrahim Aseel for Ziad Galadari, the 7yo responded gallantly to the urgings of Pat Dobbs and had the race in safe keeping entering the final 75m.

    It was a fifth career victory for the 7yo and third on turf but by far his most significant and connections were obviously delighted with the big race success.

  • 23 January 2022
    Valiant Prince crowned in Sunday’s Meydan feature for Godolphin, Appleby and Buick

    Racing at Meydan on Sunday, a non-Dubai World Cup Carnival fixture, was highlighted by a 1600m turf handicap for which a capacity field of 16 lined up but was won convincingly by Godolphin’s Valiant Prince, William Buick in the saddle for Charlie Appleby.

    Ridden positively by Buick from a wide draw, the 4yo gelded son of Dubawi was in the first two from the outset before shooting clear halfway up the straight with the race soon in safekeeping.

  • 22 January 2022
    Local trainer Alalawi dominates Al Ain feature with a 1-2 and completes double in finale

    Racing at Al Ain on Saturday was highlighted by a 2000m conditions race which turned out to be a memorable occasion for trainer Helal Alalawi who saddles the 1-2, apprentice Gary Sanchez landing the spoils aboard Itchy De Nacre.

    Running in the silks of the National Stables from where Alalawi trains nearby, the 4yo colt was chased home by stable companion and the same owner’s Kalifano De Ghazal.

    A winner once previously in France, over 2000m on turf, from five European starts, this was just his third appearance for current connections and his dirt debut.