Month: March 2023

‘Soldiering’ On

'Victorious' in the 2021 G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 ahead of a fifth-place effort behind Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) in the G1 Dubai World Cup, 8-year-old Salute the Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) sat a four-wide trip while punching the breeze and showed his superiour late stamina to best a game Bendoog (Gun Runner) in the $450,000 2023 edition sponsored By Emirates Airline Saturday evening at Meydan Racecourse to earn a return ticket to the $12-million feature in three weeks' time.

The veteran galloper, a disappointing fifth behind World Cup market leader Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) and Bendoog in Round 2 of the challenge Feb. 3, was a half-step slow from a wide barrier but mustered some speed and was in fifth position as First Constitution (Chi) (Constitution) showed the way into the first corner. Steered out into about the four path with about 1300 metres to traverse, Salute the Soldier always traveled sweetly for Adrie de Vries just off the flank of Bendoog. He appeared to be going well as the field neared the straight, claimed First Constitution with three-sixteenths of a mile and went for home. But Salute the Soldier, who always figured the better stayer between the two, struck to the lead 150 metres out and went on to score by a comfortable margin. First Constitution held for third ahead of Law of Peace (GB) (Shamardal), who ran on for fourth while no menace to the winner. Salute the Soldier was completing a race-to-race double for his owner and trainer, who took out the Listed Al Bastakiya S. for the 3-year-olds one race previously.

“He lost form last year for some reason, but there was some optimism this year. We know he's got the ability,” said winning trainer Fawzi Nass, who would not fully commit to a start in the World Cup.

Added de Vries, “We went fast and I was happy with my draw on the outside. I followed James [Doyle, on Bendoog] as he had, in my opinion, the horse to beat. I gave him a nice breather on the turn and it took him a while to pick up, but he seems to have a lot more stamina now and he made it look easy at the end.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Salute the Soldier is the product of a G1 Golden Slipper S.-winning sire raced by Godolphin, who finished well down the field behind the Fawzi Nass-trained Krypton Factor (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) in the 2012 G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Dam sire Street Cry (Ire) needs little introduction, as he won this race–when contested at Group 2 level in 2002–and doubled up with a towering 4 1/4-length tally in the big race.

Street Fire is also the dam of the 3-year-old filly Fox Flame (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), the 2-year-old filly Smouldering (Ire) (Profitable {GB}) and a yearling filly by Profitable.

Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE R3 (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES AIRLINE)-G1, $450,000, Meydan, 3-4, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 2000m, 2:04.52, ft.
1–SALUTE THE SOLDIER (GER), 126, g, 8, by Sepoy (Aus)
1st Dam: Street Fire (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Firedrake, by Kris S.
3rd Dam: Danzante, by Danzig
(380,000gns HRA '19 TATOCT). O-Victorious; B-Alan Spence
(GER); T-Fawzi Nass; J-Adrie de Vries. $270,000. Lifetime
Record: SP-Eng, 28-10-5-3, $1,650,618. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Bendoog, 126, c, 4, Gun Runner–Nellie Cashman, by
Mineshaft. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O-Mohammed Khaleel
Ahmed; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Bhupat Seemar. $90,000.
3–First Constitution (Chi), 126, h, 5, Constitution–Antic (Chi), by
Kitten's Joy. ($430,000 HRA '22 FTKJUL). O-RRR Racing;
B-Haras Don Alberto (CHI); T-Salem bin Ghadayer. $45,000.
Margins: 2, 1HF, SHD.
Also Ran: Law Of Peace (GB), Ajuste Fiscal (Uru), Marshall Plan (GB), Sanad Libya, Atletico El Culano (Uru), Injazati (Ire), Kafoo, Military Law (GB), Sifting Sands (GB), Quality Humor, Ides Of August. Scratched: Hypothetical (Ire). VIDEO.

 

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Al Dasim Secures Five-Timer in G3 Turf Sprint

The hugely progressive 3-year-old Al Dasim (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) extended his winning streak to five with his first black-type success in the $250,000 G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint Sponsored By Emirates Holidays.

Racing just behind the pace on the far side of the straight under Mickael Barzalona, the George Boughey-trained colt stalked leader Miqyaas (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) before gradually reeling him in two out and taking the lead inside the final furlong.

Miqyaas held on to take second for Rashid Boursely, finishing more than two lengths behind the winner, and holding off a tightly-bunched pack which included third-placed Thunder Of Niagara (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) in fourth.

With three trainers to his name already in his young life, Al Dasim won a Windsor maiden over the minimum trip last July for Kevin Philippart de Foy and, once switched to Boughey, claimed another two victories on the Wolverhampton Polytrack. He is now unbeaten in his three starts at Meydan, all over six furlongs, and is likely to head next to the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on the Dubai World Cup card.

“He has just kept improving,” Boughey said. “I had hoped for a better draw but he was very tenacious through the race. Mickael Barzalona has galloped him out here every week and he has just really got him to relax. He has matured and is now a very straightforward ride. My assistant Ryan King has done a great job with him out here.”

Asked about Al Dasim's likely participation in the Al Quoz, the trainer added, “I think it has to be [his next race]. It's obviously a big step up. Dare I say it, he's a very sound and sound-minded horse so we'll see how he comes out of this and look at taking them on.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Al Dasim becomes the first group winner from the first crop of Harry Angel. Bred by Lady O'Reilly's Skymarc Farm, his dam Dance Hall Girl (Ire) (GB) raced and won in the breeder's colours and is the dam of seven winners, including the Listed Flying Scotsman S. winner and Dewhurst fourth Tashweeq (Ire) (Big Bad Bob {Ire}). Dance Hall Girl is in turn out of Dawn Raid (Ire), a Docksider half-sister to the dual Guineas winner Bachir (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}). Now 16, the mare's youngest offspring is a juvenile filly by Ten Sovereigns (Ire). She was covered last year by Magna Grecia (Ire).

Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
NAD AL SHEBA TURF SPRINT (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES HOLIDAYS)-G3, $250,000, Meydan, 3-4, NH3yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:09.08, gd.
1–AL DASIM (IRE), 121, c, 3, by Harry Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Dance Hall Girl (Ire), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Dawn Raid (Ire), by Docksider
3rd Dam: Morning Welcome (Ire), by Be My Guest
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN.(£50,000 ylg '21
GOFAUG). O-Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah; B-Skymarc
Farm (IRE); T-George Boughey; J-Mickael Barzalona. $150,000.
Lifetime Record: 11-6-3-0, $271,347. *Half to Tashweeq (Ire)
(Big Bad Bob {Ire}), SW-Eng, $142,034. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Miqyaas (GB), 131, g, 8, Oasis Dream (GB)–Fawaayed (Ire),
by Singspiel (Ire). (£1,500 HRA '18 GOFAUG). O-Bouresly
Racing Syndicate; B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (GB);
T-Rashed Bouresly. $50,000.
3–Thunder Of Niagara (Ire), 131, g, 5, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–
Cairncross (Ire), by Cape Cross (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE.
O-Mohammed Mubarak & Hamad Mubarak bin Shafya;
B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Ahmad bin Harmash.
$25,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, SHD, NK.
Also Ran: Equilateral (GB), Spirit Of Light (Ire), City Walk (Ire), Could Be King (GB), Motafaawit (Ire), Meishar (Arg), Acklam Express (Ire), Coachello (Fr), Batwan (Fr), Khaadem (Ire), Ventura Rebel (GB), Erasmo (GB). Scratched: Lord Tennyson (GB). VIDEO.

 

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Discovery Island Back To His Best In Burj Nahar At Meydan

Discovery Island (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) bounced back to his best on Super Saturday at Meydan by finishing with a flourish under James Doyle to take the $250,000 G3 Burj Nahaar Sponsored By Emirates Skywards.

In doing so, Discovery Island ensured his place in the G2 Godolphin Mile on World Cup night for trainer Bhupat Seemar, who ran four horses in Saturday's race.

But it was Discovery Island who did best for the stable. On The Warpath (GB) (Declaration Of War) got to the lead early but couldn't sustain it and Discovery Island, who benefited from a typically-cool Doyle ride, delivered a winning challenge inside the last furlong to win going away at the line by 1 1/2 lengths.

Seemar said, “He's a very talented horse and, to be honest, we were thinking of running him in the Group 1–the Al Maktoum Challenge–because he stays well. Connections, I think they were right, because they had two horses and they kept Bendoog (Gun Runner) for the other race.”

The trainer added, “He just makes it hard for himself–he's a little bit slow out of the gate and, with a big field he gets kickback, but James gave him a great ride and moved him out and he finished.”

Discovery Island led home a one-three in the race for Seemar, with Royal Mews (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) a half-length back in third behind Raaeb (Ire) (Raven's Pass).

Second to the progressive multiple group winner Algiers (Ire) (Shamarda) in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 on Jan. 6, the opening card of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, the bay was sixth in the G3 Firebreak S. to Prince Eiji (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was scratched out of this race.

 

Pedigree Notes

Stakes winner 251 for his sire, Discovery Island is the first foal out of listed winner Sperry (Ire) (Shamardal). A half-sister to multiple listed winner Dunelight (Ire) (Desert Sun {GB}), she foaled a sophomore colt by Kingman (GB) named Theatre Honours (GB), and has a Too Darn Hot (GB) juvenile colt still to come. Third dam Miss Gris (Hail The Pirates) was named a champion in Italy at two and three, and won both the Italian 1000 Guineas and Italian Oaks when they were both Group 1 races.

Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
BURJ NAHAAR (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES SKYWARDS)-G3, $250,000, Meydan, 3-4, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1600m, 1:36.98, ft.
1–DISCOVERY ISLAND (GB), 126, g, 6, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Sperry (Ire) (SW-Eng), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Badee'a (Ire), by Marju (Ire)
3rd Dam: Miss Gris, by Hail The Pirates
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Mohammed
Khaleel Ahmed; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Bhupat Seemar; J-James
Doyle. $150,000. Lifetime Record: 14-4-5-2, $342,951. Click
   for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Raaeb (Ire), 126, g, 6, Raven's Pass–Kalaatah, by Dynaformer.
1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Shadwell; B-Shadwell Estate
Company Ltd (IRE); T-Musabbeh Al Mheiri. $50,000.
3–Royal Mews (Fr), 126, g, 6, Siyouni (Fr)–Queen Arabella (GB),
by Medicean (GB). (€72,000 wlg '17 ARQDEC; €350,000 ylg
'18 GOFOCT). 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE.
O-Deva Racing; B-Meon Valley Stud (FR); J-Bhupat Seemar.
$25,000.
Margins: 1HF, HF, 3/4.
Also Ran: Celtic Prince (GB), Desert Wisdom (GB), Everfast, Street Mood, Canvassed (Ire), Secret Victory (GB), Fanaar (Ire), King Of The Match, On The Warpath (GB), Legionario (GB), Secret Ambition (GB), Mister Saint Paul (Fr), Imperial Empire (GB). Scratched: Prince Eiji (GB), Down On Da Bayou, King Gold (Fr). VIDEO.

 

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Godolphin Storm to Early Success in G2 City of Gold

Even without the star quality of Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the Charlie Appleby stable still managed a one-two in the $250,000 G2 Dubai City of Gold Sponsored By Emirates SkyCargo, with Global Storm (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) holding off the late challenge of Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) to give Godolphin the perfect start to Super Saturday.

The 6-year-old winner was making his first start since last September and, despite being winless for most of last year following a February Meydan handicap success, he had posted some decent placed efforts including when third to the talented Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Princess of Wales's S. at Newmarket's July meeting.

Given a positive ride by William Buick, Global Storm was driven to the front early in proceedings despite being drawn wide in 11, and thereafter the pair dominated proceedings from an easy lead, extending their advantage in the straight to beat Kemari by 2 1/2. The Musabbeh Al Mheiri-trained and Godolphin-bred Daramethos (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) took third, finishing a neck in front of Rakeez (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“This horse had been working with Rebel's Romance and he's a solid old campaigner out here and was just touched off in this race last year by Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}),” said Appleby. “Will gave him a lovely ride on the front end and dictated it from the back stretch. He'd done plenty of galloping so we were confident he'd be fit enough.”

Buick said, “He had to work to get to the front but he did everything right and he is a very relaxed horse so you never worry about him over-racing. He got to the front and pricked his ears and it was just [a case of ] what he was going to find in the straight. Once he picked up on the apex of the turn I thought it would take something decent to get past him. He was third in this race last year and if you go back to that form and the third in Princess of Wales's, on his day he is a pretty decent horse.”

He added, “Charlie told me to ride him and he told me how to ride him so I thank him for that.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Bred by Grenane House Stud and bought by Godolphin from Powerstown Stud at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale for 260,000gns, Global Storm is the first foal of the Street Cry (Ire) mare Travel, herself bred by Darley and a half-sister to the brilliant but ill-fated Eight Belles (Unbridled's Song), as well as the multiple Jebel Ali winner Escape Route (Elusive Quality).

Travel has a 2-year-old filly by Camelot (GB) named Where I Wanna Be (Ire) and was barren to the same stallion the following year. She was covered last season by No Nay Never.

Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
DUBAI CITY OF GOLD (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES SKYCARGO)-G2, $250,000, Meydan, 3-4, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 2410mT, 2:27.47, gd.
1–GLOBAL STORM (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Night Of Thunder (Ire)
1st Dam: Travel, by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Away, by Dixieland Band
3rd Dam: Be A Prospector, by Mr. Prospector
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. (200,000gns Wlg '17
TATDEC; 260,000gns HRA '19 TATAPR).
O-Godolphin; B-Grenane House Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby;
J-William Buick. $150,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng, 23-5-4-6,
$348,922. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-
   style pedigree.
2–Kemari (GB), 126, g, 5, Dubawi (Ire)–Koora (GB), by Pivotal
(GB). (400,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Fittocks
Stud (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. $50,000.
3–Daramethos (Ire), 126, g, 5, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Dark Orchid,
by Dansili (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. (AED160,000 HRA
'22 ERASEP). O-Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi;
B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Musabbeh Al Mheiri. $25,000.
Margins: 2HF, 1 1/4, NK.
Also Ran: Rakeez (GB), Global Heat (Ire), Lost Eden (Ire), Fastnet Crown (Ire), Senor Toba (Aus), White Wolf (Ire), Annerville (Ire), Tides Of War (Ire), Away He Goes (Ire), Green Team (Fr), New Comedy (Ire). Scratched: Rebel's Romance (Ire). VIDEO.

 

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