Inaugural Festive Friday Draws International Cast At Meydan

Friday marks the first edition of the Festive Friday card at Meydan, featuring two group races, three listed races and AED4.5 million in prize-money across the nine-race stand.

Returning to the scene of his 2023 G2 Godolphin Mile victory is Isolate (Mark Valeski), who will step out in the AED1-million G2 Al Maktoum Mile for trainer Doug Watson. Tyler Gaffalione will fly in for the race from the States.

“That was a great day and he's moving better this year than he did last year,” said trainer Doug Watson, who also runs Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), winner of this race in 2022. “They do a nice job out at Sheikh Rashid [Bin Humaid, owner]'s farm and he had a good summer off and came back looking a million dollars.

“We've worked him a few times over at Meydan–he loves going over there. There might be Saudi [Cup meeting] plans but we'll see how he runs here first.”

Royal Mews (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) is one of nine rivals signed on, and he will be ridden by Tadhg O'Shea.

“We're really looking forward to having Royal Mews back,” said Ryan Tongue, Racing Manager for owners Deva Racing of the three-time winner. “Isolate is the one to beat, but Tadhg O'Shea worked Royal Mews last week in blinkers for the first time and apparently he worked very well.”

Already in action this season is Road Bloc (Street Sense), who was third in a 1200-metre race at Sharjah on Nov. 26.

“He needed his first run and he's working very well at home,” said owner Sayed Hashish. “The draw is not ideal but we believe he will appreciate the distance.”

 

Godolphin & Shadwell Out In Force In Al Rashidiya

Seven of the 11 entrants of the G2 Al Rashidiya will bear either the royal blue of Godolphin or the blue with white epaulettes of Shadwell. Charlie Appleby sends out Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and Highland Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), and he is gunning for his fourth title in five years in the 1800-metre grass affair.

Not to be outdone, is fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who is already a six-time winner of this race. His Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a multiple group winner who was placed twice at Group 1 level last year, will break from stall seven.

G1 Jebel Hatta hero Alfareeq (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is one of three in the race for Shadwell, and holds pride of place, as he is the chosen mount of retained jockey Jim Crowley. The duo will leave from stall two.

 

Friday's Supporting Card High On Class

A trio of listed races anchor the supporting card, among them the AED500,000 Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash over the minimum trip of 1000 metres on grass. The youthful Mischief Magic (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), a winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in 2022, squares off with desert veterans Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), and Miqyaas (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Johnny Murtagh sends the progressive 4-year-old filly Ladies Church (GB) (Churchill {Ire}) into the fray, as well. She ran second ot Miqyaas in the G2 Blue Point Sprint in February.

“Miqyaas is doing well,” said Abo Bakr El Hefnawy, assistant trainer to Rashed Bouresly. “He raced once on dirt to be ready for this race.”

This season's G1 Al Quoz Sprint winner Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) makes his return on Friday in the 1400-metre Listed Business Bay Challenge on grass. His task is not the easiest, as among his 15 foes is GI Summer S. victor Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.

Rounding out the listed races is the Entisar S., conducted over 1900m on dirt. Bhupat Seemar saddles a pair of horses, including Western Symphony (Ire) (Shamardal) and Walk Of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“Godolphin thought Walk Of Stars was good enough to run in the Epsom Derby as a 3-year-old so he is a very exciting horse to have,” said Seemar. “We're going to experiment with Western Symphony and try him over the 1900m. His pedigree suggests he has a chance of getting in, albeit he is a Shamardal, because there is a lot of stamina on the dam side.”

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Dubai Racing Carnival to Offer Free Stabling To Overseas Runners

Stabling for runners in the International Quarantine Stables traveling from overseas for the upcoming season of the Dubai Racing Carnival will be free, the Dubai Racing Club announced on Tuesday. The season kicks off on Friday, Nov. 10, with the first of 14 meetings at Meydan Racecourse.

Further incentives, including travel, will be decided by a special committee on a horse-by-horse basis. Stable staff staying in the quarantine facilities can do so for a fee of AED1000 per month (US$272).

These incentives are in addition to the new Dubai World Cup Bonus Race Scheme–nine races guaranteeing starting places at the Dubai World Cup meeting, with bonuses of more than $4million. The bonus, 10% of the prize-money for the corresponding race on the Dubai World Cup card, will be paid if the horse wins both races.

“We're really excited about our new-look season. The new programme is aimed at encouraging owners and trainers to base their horses here throughout the winter, allowing them to make use of our five star facilities and wonderful climate,” Major General Dr. Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, Executive Director of Dubai Racing Club, commented.

The Dubai Racing Carnival precedes the $30.5million Dubai World Cup meeting, which takes place on Saturday, Mar. 3, 2024.

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New Dubai World Cup Bonus Scheme Unveiled

A new Dubai World Cup bonus scheme, featuring over $4 million in additional prize-money, was unveiled by the Dubai Racing Club on Wednesday.

A total of nine races, all slated for Meydan Racecourse between January and March of 2024, will carry automatic entry into the corresponding race on Dubai World Cup night on Mar. 30, with a chance of a 10% bonus if they win both races. Horses are only eligible for one bonus per season and race entry fees still apply. The qualifying races, and their purse bonuses are as follows:

  • G1 Al Maktoum Challenge, Jan 26: Winner Bonus to G1 Dubai World Cup – US $1.2 million
  • G1 Jebel Hatta, Jan 26: Winner Bonus to G1 Dubai Turf – US $500,000
  • G3 UAE 2000 Guineas, Jan 26: Winner Bonus to G2 UAE Derby – US $100,000
  • G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, Feb 23rd: Winner Bonus to G2 Gold Cup – US $100,000
  • G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, Mar. 2: Winner Bonus to G1 Al Quoz Sprint – US $150,000
  • G3 Mahab Al Shimaal, Mar. 2: Winner Bonus to the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen – US $200,000
  • G3 Burj Nahaar, Mar. 2: Winner Bonus to the G2 Godolphin Mile – US $100,000
  • G2 Dubai City of Gold, Mar. 2: Winner Bonus to the G1 Longines Sheema Classic – US $600,000
  • G2 Al Maktoum Classic, Mar. 2: Winner Bonus to the G1 Dubai World Cup – US $1.2 million

“We are exciting about launching the Dubai World Cup Bonus Series,” said Major General Dr. Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, Executive Director of Dubai Racing Club. “History has shown, through the likes of Dubai Millennium, Curlin and California Chrome, among others, that racing in Dubai prior to the Dubai World Cup can be an advantage, so we would like to further encourage trainers to do this by offering an added 10% to the purse if horses win both races.”

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Full Programme For The 2023-2024 Dubai Racing Season Unveiled

The full 2023-2024 programme for the Dubai racing season at Meydan Racecourse has been released.

Running from Nov. 10 until Mar. 8, the season includes 14 meetings and precedes the $30.5-million Dubai World Cup meeting on Mar. 30. In addition, the prize-money has been increased by 27%, with the minimum per race now AED165,000. The Festive Friday card will contain six stakes races, among them the G2 Al Maktoum Mile at Meydan on Dec. 22. There is also Fashion Friday on Jan. 26, with nine black-type races on tap led by the G1 Maktoum Challenge and the G1 Jebel Hatta. Super Saturday remains in its usual slot, and features the G2 Al Maktoum Classic, upgraded G3 Ras Al Khor, and the Listed Jumeirah Guineas. It is Mar. 2, 2024.

Major General Dr. Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, Executive Director of Dubai Racing Club, said “We are delighted to unveil the full programme for our exciting new-look season here in Dubai. The programme is diverse and caters for a wide range of horses, both Purebred Arabian and Thoroughbred. We hope that our excellent prize-money and world class facilities will continue to attract the best in the sport to race here in Dubai.”

For the full schedule and more information, please go to the Dubai Racing Club website.

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