3 minute read
The winners of the 9 races come from a wide selection of jurisdictions.
The Kahayla Classic for the Purebred Arabians went to Saudi Arabia not in the form of the hot favourite Asnan Al Khalediah but in the stablemate Tilal Al Khalediah .
The G2 Godolphin Mile went to the American Two Rivers Over who beat the Saudi rep Walk of Stars and the local Islolate.
The Dubai Gold Cup went to Ireland's Tower Of London , who having led out the Coolmore string every morning at trackwork was used to being in the #1 position. Al Nayyir was second and Trawlerman third. Trainer Aidan O'Brien said that plans were not yet in place for Tower of London's future runs but he didn't think the Ascot Gold Cup would be the right race and that he might be dropped back in trip to races over 2400m.
The Al Quoz Sprint went to Hong Kong's California Spangle in course record time and Aussie jockey Brenton Avdulla riding the Aussie-sired horse trained by the legendary Tony Cruz. Brenton said before the race that he was thrilled to be riding in Dubai for the first time and that he hoped to do well for Hong Kong. Cruz said they may go to the Chairman's Sprint Prize next. Second home Godolphin's 3yo filly may go to the King's Stand and the long term aim was the Breeders' Cup f&m sprint. Diligent Harry ran well for third.
Forever Young flew the flag for Japan in the UAE Derby with Yahagi-sensei quite emotional afterwards revealing that his father had passed away that morning. They will take the opportunity of going to the Kentucky Derby where if runs anything like his last two runs over here he would have to be a good thing. Argentinian bred Auto Bahn was second and as he is locally owned is expected to stay in Dubai. And Pandagate did well to finish third – wasn't happy with the kick back and got a check at one stage but recovered like a good boy.
The Golden Shaheen saw Tuz, the horse known as the "Russian Frankel" score a runaway win under jockey Tadgh O'Shea with Bhupat Seemar currently looking after the horse. They won by a soft 6 ½ lengths from the Japanese Don Frankie with Nakatomi perhaps the unlucky runner due to traffic problems taking third spot.
The Dubai Turf saw France's Facteur Cheval give trainer Jerome Reynier a win in the place where his career had started off when he was selected for the Godolphin Flying Start program. Japan's Namur was a short head away in a thrilling finish and Danon Beluga justifying our confidence in him by running third. Unfortunately the race was marred by a catastrophic injury to Catnip and a bad fall for jockey Christophe Lemaire.
Lemaire was taken to hospital for observation but unfortunately Catnip had broken a leg and was euthanised.
The Sheema saw a very welcome win for Charlie Appleby and William Buick with Rebel's Romance, much to the delight of the locals. Shahryar returned to the form shown when winning this race two years ago to take second and Liberty Island who didn't get any favours in the slowly run race finishing third. Do Deuce was boxed in on the fence and couldn't get out but Justin Palace ran a nice race for fourth.
And of course we mentioned the Cup previously as Tadgh O'Shea produced another of those front-running catch me if you can rides to steal the win on Laurel River with Ushba Tesoro coming with a withering run from the back of the field but alas too little too late and Senor Buscador third.
The fireworks plus Guiness Book of Records Drone display at the end of the evening was just fantastic – words cannot do it justice but there should be You Tube shows of it.
