Month: March 2023

Cha-Ching As Sound Money Makes Bank In The Mahab Al Shimaal

RRR Racing's Sound Money (Flatter–Vegas Trip, by Aldebaran) was making his Meydan debut for these connections and didn't disappoint, running out a 2 3/4-length victor of the $250,000 G3 Mahab Al Shimaal Sponsored By Emirates SkyCargo at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday. The 1200-metre dirt race was the ninth and final on the Super Saturday card, a warm up for Dubai World Cup night in three weeks' time.

One of three in the race for Bhupat Seemar besides G3 Al Shindagha Sprint victor Tuz (Oxbow) and Western Symphony (Ire) (Shamardal), the 5-year-old entire tracked the pacesetting Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}) from third through the early going. He pounced at the quarter-pole, before kicking away from Tuz and Ponntos to win over the closing Doug Watson trainee and fellow RRR Racing colourbearer Isolate (Mark Valeski). Tuz inched home in third, a short head in front of Colour Up (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}).

“He's a very talented horse as he showed in the past in the US,” said jockey Mickael Barzalona, who was also aboard G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint winner Al Dasim (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) earlier in the night. “He broke good and I had plenty in my hands during the run.

“He did everything very professionally. He's a massive horse so I think he will come on a lot for this race.”

A winner of an Aqueduct allowance last April, the Flatter horse ran with credit when second in the GIII Westchester S. to subsequent GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Cody's Wish (Curlin) and he filled that spot again behind multiple Grade I winner Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) in the June GII True North S. still at Belmont Park. Transferred to Saratoga as part of a massive Chad Brown string, he was second in a 1400-metre allowance optional claiming race on July 17 for Klaravich Stables, Inc.

 

Pedigree Notes

The 63rd stakes winner and 23rd group/graded winner for his late sire, the $200,000 Keeneland November weanling is out of a half-sister to GI Hollywood Gold Cup S. hero Mast Track (Mizzen Mast) and Jemayel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who won the G1 Prix Saint-Alary. His dam foaled a filly by Flat Out in 2022, and she visited the court of Cross Traffic last spring.

Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
MAHAB AL SHIMAAL (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES SKYCARGO)-G3, $250,000, Meydan, 3-4, NH3yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1200m, 1:11.05, ft.
1–SOUND MONEY, 131, h, 5, by Flatter
1st Dam: Vegas Trip, by Aldebaran
2nd Dam: Nawal (Fr), by Homme De Loi (Ire)
3rd Dam: Lute String (Fr), by No Lute (Fr)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. ($200,000 wlg '18
KEENOV). O-RRR Racing; B-Lannister Holdings & Glidawn Stud
(KY); T-Bhupat Seemar; J-Mickael Barzalona. $150,000.
Lifetime Record: MGSP-US, 13-4-4-3, $429,054. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Isolate, 131, h, 5, Mark Valeski–Tranquil Song, by Unbridled's
Song. ($70,000 wlg '18 KEENOV). O-RRR Racing; B-Woodford
Thoroughbreds (FL); T-Doug Watson. $50,000.
3–Tuz, 131, g, 6, Oxbow–Suede Shoe, by Pulpit. ($7,000 ylg '18
KEESEP). O-Dakki Stable; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Bhupat
Seemar. $25,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, 1, SHD.
Also Ran: Colour Up (Ire), Mouheeb, Western Symphony (Ire), Ponntos (Ire), Manjeer (Ire), Magic Petition, Cloudbridge. VIDEO.

 

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Life Is Good, Irad Ortiz Jr., WinStar Farm, Pletcher, Among Global Stars Honored At Sheikh Mohammed Awards In Dubai

Multiple Grade 1 or Group 1 winners Life Is Good and Baaeed,  jockeys Irad Ortiz Jr. and Bernardo Pinheiro, and trainer Todd Pletcher were among those honored Saturday at the sixth edition of HH Sheikh Mohammed Horse Racing Excellence Awards in Dubai.

Taking place at a sparkling ceremony during racing on “Super Saturday,” March 4, at Meydan Racecourse, the awards commemorate some of the leading connections to have participated at the Dubai World Cup meeting, as well as two awards decided by public vote.

Commenting on the awards, Major General Dr. Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, General Manager of Dubai Racing Club, said: “The HH Sheikh Mohammed Horse Racing Excellence Awards were founded in 2017 as an expression of His Highness' love for racing and passion for horses.

“They recognize the best in the industry, with a nod towards those who have supported our Dubai World Cup meeting, as well as giving racing fans a chance to vote on their favorites through the People's Choice and Best Local Jockey awards.”

The full list of award winners for the HH Sheikh Mohammed Horse Racing Excellence Awards:

Best Horse – LIFE IS GOOD (USA)

Life Is Good is one of the best horses to have emerged from the U.S. in recent years. Bred by Gary and May West, the son of Into Mischief sold for $525,000 to China Horse Club at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

It proved to be money well spent, as Life Is Good went on to earn more than $4.5 million throughout his career, which saw him win eight of his 11 starts, including four Grade 1s. He came up a little short in the 2022 Dubai World Cup, however, finishing an honorable fourth behind Country Grammer.

Trained by Todd Pletcher for most of his career, Life Is Good excelled when he returned to the U.S., his performance in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga earned him an international rating of 125. That made him the highest-rated horse to come out of the 2022 Dubai World Cup meeting and therefore the winner of this award.

Life Is Good, a son of Into Mischief, is standing is first year at stud this year at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky.

Best Owner – WINSTAR FARM and CHINA HORSE CLUB

When one of the newest and biggest owners in world racing joins with one of Kentucky's most successful stud farms the result is bound to be a good one. Winstar Farm and China Horse Club combined for joint-ownership of Life Is Good and we've already heard what a star he was. This team are our Best Owners.

Best Jockey – IRAD ORTIZ JR.

The rider of Life Is Good as well as host of other equine stars, Irad Ortiz Jr. has been one of the most successful riders in North America over the past decade. His record in Grade 1 events since riding at the 2022 Dubai World Cup meeting came out top of all the jockeys to compete on the day, so he is our 2023 Best Jockey winner.

Best Trainer – TODD PLETCHER

One of the most recognizable faces in world racing, multiple Eclipse Award winner Todd Pletcher enjoyed an excellent 2022, winning 15 Grade 1 races, making him the most successful at the top level of all the trainers to have competed at the 2022 Dubai World Cup meeting.

Lifetime Achievement – ANDRE FABRE

French trainer Andre Fabre is one of the most successful ever to grace the sport. He has won 30 French championships, eight Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes and all the British classics. Locally, the highlight was the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) win with Polish Summer in 2004, while he has also been a constant supporter of the Dubai World Cup meeting across a number of seasons.

People's Choice (by public vote)

BAAEED (winner)

Baaeed's story was closely followed by Dubai racing fans thanks to his popular owner, Shadwell driving force HH Sheikha Hissa Bint Hamdan Al Maktoum. Trained expertly by William Haggas and ridden by Jim Crowley, the son of Sea The Stars won 10 of his 11 starts, including six Group 1s, and treated UK racing fans to a summer of brilliance. His final race proved a bridge too far, when he could only finish fourth in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, but he retired to Shadwell Stud as one of the best horses to grace the turf in recent years.

Baaeed, by Sea The Stars, is standing his first year at stud this year at Shadwell's Nunnery Stud in Norfolk in England.

Best Local Jockey (by public vote)

BERNARDO PINHEIRO (winner)

A native of Brazil, Bernardo Pinheiro finished fourth in the championship in the 2021-22 season, riding 24 winners from 262 rides. Based with former UAE Champion Trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri, Pinheiro also has the number one jockey role for Abu Dhabi-based trainer Majed Al Jahoori. Bernardo celebrated his marriage in 2022, tying the knot with partner Gabriela Couto.

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Shadwell’s Alfareeq Goes Back To Back In Jebel Hatta

Dismissed at rough odds with a sea of blue for Godolphin signed on for Saturday's $350,000 G1 Jebel Hatta Sponsored by emirates.com, defending champion Alfareeq (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) raced prominently throughout and–unlike many of his chief rivals–enjoyed a clean passage, then ran down pacesetting El Drama (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) to cause the upset and win by a neck.

The 6-year-old hit the ground running and was forwardly placed and out of trouble through the early stages. When El Drama crossed all the way down to the inside from his high draw, Dane O'Neill seized upon the opportunity, asked Alfareeq to follow the move and the duo chased from second. Positions remained largely unchanged for the run around the turn, and El Drama still held the call as the Jebel Hatta field hit the straight. Asked to kick by David Egan, El Drama responded gamely and clung to a narrow advantage with time ticking away, but O'Neill was able to conjure up one final effort from Alfareeq, who dove across the line narrowly best following a final 400 metres in :23.01.

“[El Drama] took a bit of passing but my lad is nothing if not tough,” said O'Neill, enjoying one of his best seasons to date in the UAE. “He's been second on every start this season and he deserved that, but he dug deep for it.”

Of the beaten brigade, Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), sent off the international favourite from barrier two, raced in a significant amount of traffic and in the slipstream of the comebacking and headstrong Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) down the backstretch, was steered to the outside once produced in upper stretch by William Buick and rattled home to be a very good third. Real World was one-paced through the final 200 metres, while the commonly owned Valiant Prince (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) did him no favours by pulling fiercely beneath James Doyle after First Winter (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) bore out into him nearing midway. Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a latest winner of the H H The Amir Trophy in Qatar two weeks ago, lingered at the back of the field and also attacked the line to be in a photo for fifth in what was meant as a prep for the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic on Mar. 25.

Seventh to the dead-heating Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in last year's G1 Dubai Turf–the final race of a five-race prep–Alfareeq resumed with a runner-up effort in listed company over a mile at Abu Dhabi

Dec. 4 and filled the same spot behind Saturday's impressive Ras Al Khor conditions winner Al Suhail (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the 1400-metre G2 Al Fahidi Fort Jan. 6. The gray was most recently outbobbed by Valiant Prince in the course-and-distance

G2 Singspiel S. Feb. 3.

 

Pedigree Notes

Alfareeq is out of a winning daughter of Listed Poker Star S. heroine Sudoor, the dam of the late G3 Prix Noailles winner Raseed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Third dam Wissal was a full-sister to Bahhare and a half-sister to Bahri and was herself responsible for the listed-winning and Group 3-placed Mudaaraah (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}).

Urjuwaan is also the dam of a yearling Ribchester (Ire) filly that fetched €28,000 at last year's Goffs November Sale.

Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
JEBEL HATTA (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES.COM)-G1, $350,000, Meydan, 3-4, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1800mT, 1:48.19, gd.
1–ALFAREEQ (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Urjuwaan (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire)
2nd Dam: Sudoor (GB), by Fantastic Light
3rd Dam: Wissal, by Woodman
O-Shadwell; B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE);
T-Musabbeh Al Mheiri; J-Dane O'Neill. $210,000. Lifetime
Record: SP-Fr, 22-5-6-3, $685,234. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–El Drama (Ire), 126, h, 5, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Victoire Finale
(GB), by Peintre Celebre. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE.
(425,000gns ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al
Maktoum; B-Farm Cove Thoroughbreds (IRE); T-Roger Varian.
$70,000.
3–Master Of The Seas (Ire), 126, g, 5, Dubawi (Ire)–Firth Of
Lorne (Ire), by Danehill. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie
Appleby. $35,000.
Margins: NK, NK, 1 3/4.
Also Ran: Erzindjan (Ire), Russian Emperor (Ire), Valiant Prince (Ire), Shelir (Ire), Aegean Finale, I Am Superman (Ire), Real World (Ire), Aeonian (Ire), Maydanny (Ire), First Winter (Ire), Hawa Bilady. Scratched: Land Of Legends (Ire). VIDEO.

 

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UAE Derby Next For Al Bastakiya Winner Go Soldier Go

Go Soldier Go (Tapiture) stayed best to land a pulsating edition of the $170,000 Listed Al Bastakiya Sponsored By Arabian Adventures at Meydan for trainer Fawzi Nass and jockey Adrie de Vries.

The complexion of the race changed dramatically inside the final furlong when long-time leader and G3 UAE Oaks runner-up Ami Please (Goldencents) began to wilt, leaving Mr Raj (Bolt d'Oro) and Go Soldier Go to surge down the outside late on.

In fighting off Mr Raj to win by a head, Go Soldier Go staked his claims for G2 UAE Derby glory in three weeks' time. The filly was another three lengths back in third.

De Vries said afterwards, “He takes time to get going. Actually, he travelled okay but I was stuck behind a wall of horses who were beaten down the backside. The front horses were getting further and further away but there was not much I could do about it. Once I got out in the clear, I had to rush him of course to make up so much ground, but once he's out of the kickback, he has a beautiful stride and he keeps on going. He has a lot of stamina.”

The jockey added, “He has always worked well at home but when he is in between horses, he is still very immature and, in a bigger field like today, it's hard to stay out of the kickback. But, once he did, he picked up really good.”

Go Soldier Go and Mr Raj are graduates of the inaugural Goffs Dubai Breeze Up Sale. Go Soldier Go was a $45,000 purchase by Chad Schumer at Keeneland September and sold for over €120,000 to Nass when consigned by Church Farm and Horse Park Stud at last year's breeze-up. Mr Raj was consigned by Gaybrook Lodge and sold to Ahmad Bintouq for €86,773. Never off the board in five Meydan starts, the winner won a 1900-metre conditions race by 5 1/2 lengths on Feb. 5.

One of just two winners from four to race for his dam, Go Soldier Go is Better Again (Thunder Gulch)'s first stakes winner, although two of her daughters have foaled black-type horses including the New Mexico stakes winners Better Believe (Marking) and Marked (Marking). Australian Group 1 winner Forbidden Love (Aus) (All Too Hard {GB}) is in the extended family.

Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
AL BASTAKIYA (SPONSORED BY ARABIAN ADVENTURES)-Listed, $170,000, Meydan, 3-4, NH3yo & SH3yo, 1900m, 1:58.91, ft.
1–GO SOLDIER GO, 122, c, 3, by Tapiture
1st Dam: Better Again, by Thunder Gulch
2nd Dam: Scenic Point, by Street Sense
3rd Dam: Picture Book, by Tapit
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. ($45,000 ylg '21 KEESEP, €123,962 HRA
'22 GOFMAR). O-Victorious; B-Brandywine Farm (Jim & Pam
Robinson) (KY); T-Fawzi Nass; J-Adrie de Vries. $102,000.
Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-2, $133,238.
2–Mr Raj, 121, c, 3, Bolt D'Oro–Sonja's Angel, by Smoke
Glacken. ($70,000 RNA ylg '21 KEESEP, €86,773 HRA '22
GOFMAR). O-Ahmad Bintooq Al Marri; B-John B Penn (FL);
T-Ahmad bin Harmash. $34,000.
3–Ami Please, 118, f, 3, Goldencents–Bellezza Rosso, by Tapit.
O-W C Racing & Wonderland Racing; B-Glenn Sorgenstein (KY);
T-Doug O'Neill. $17,000.
Margins: HD, 3, 1 3/4.
Also Ran: Southern Artist, Priyanka, Lahresh (GB), Eye On The Prize (Arg), Flying Hunter, Nopoli (GB), Sharp Army, Slava Ukraini (Den), Oasis Moon. VIDEO.

 

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