Tag: dubai

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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Nations Pride Friday’s DWCC Headliner

The Dubai World Cup Carnival adds its own footnote to the study of flags, known as vexillology for the more serious, since its intent is to draw horses from all over the world. As the meet continues to march towards its big night in late March, another Friday of racing arrives with a trio of Group 3 events.

Waving Godolphin Blue

The G3 Dubai Millennium S. sports this week's headliner, as Grade I winner Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) returns for a new campaign after what could be considered a successful 2022. The Godolphin homebred won last year at Meydan in the Jumeirah Derby, before competing at Newmarket, Epsom, in the 'Turf Triple' at each of the NYRA courses Stateside and finally in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, where he was fifth behind stablemate Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Bearing the blue brought him an Eclipse Award nomination in the Male Turf Division off of his victories in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. in August and the GIII Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. in September, as well as his runner-up effort in the first leg of the Turf Triple, the GI Belmont Derby Invtiational S. in July. The 4-year-old colt should enjoy a return to 10 furlongs here as the deserving favorite in European markets.

“There will be some improvement to come for whatever he [Nations Pride] does on his seasonal return, as we hope that he has another international campaign ahead of him this year, said trainer Charlie Appleby. “Depending on how he goes here, we will consider potentially looking at the [G1] Jebel Hatta [on Super Saturday] or the [G1] Dubai Turf [on Dubai World Cup night].”

Appleby also runs multiple stakes winner and multiple group-placed Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), third in the G2 Singspiel S. last time out. “Returning to this distance looks as though it might benefit Ottoman Fleet based on his two runs so far this year,” he continued. “He goes into the race a fit horse with solid form around him, so he should be a major player.”

Dual French listed winner Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) is aiming to improve after a fourth in the G3 Al Rashidiya on Jan. 13.

Longshot in the Nad Al Sheba

As for the other group races on Friday, a true distance test and  prep race for the G2 Dubai Gold Cup will be proctored at 14 panels on the grass in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy S. Godolphin, winners on nine occasions, has the advantage with four runners in Global Heat (Ire) Toronado (Ire), Brilliant Light (GB) (Sea The Stars), Siskany (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire} and Kemari (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“Siskany looks great and will be a player if he brings his best form to the table,” said Charlie Appleby. “He has won over the course and trip, so he looks the one they have to beat.

“Kemari will also be competitive if he can rekindle some of his old form. He ran some solid races last year but can be a little inconsistent these days.”

Added fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, “Global Heat won over this trip in the Al Khail Trophy and came out of his recent handicap run in good order. He stays well and I'm hoping for another good effort. Brilliant Light worked well last week and has some good form over this distance. He is ready to go again and will appreciate the step up in trip.”

Not to be overlooked is the Amy Murphy trainee Magical Morning (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), who is a quality longshot and could play the role of spoiler, if the gelding can handle the stretch out in distance.

American Jaunt Continues in UAE Oaks

Rounding out Friday's Group 3 events is a Classic on the dirt oval that brings together seven fillies. Of these, Mimi Kakushi (City Of Light) looks best, not because her barn won this race last year, but because the bay filly clearly likes the Meydan surface–including a pair of wins in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial over 1400 metres on Dec. 23 and in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas upped to a mile on Jan. 20. Seven fillies have completed the UAE Guineas/Oaks double, with Shahama (Munnings), subsequently second in the GII Mother Goose S. and a winner of the GIII Monmouth Oaks in America, the latest in 2022.

Standing in her way will be the American-based Ami Please (Goldencents) for trainer Doug O'Neill. Running solely on turf since her California debut at Del Mar on Aug. 1, she was third last time out in the Blue Norther S. at Santa Anita, finishing just behind next out winner, Manhattan Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}). Her barn collected a savory win last Friday with Tall Boy (Lookin At Lucky) in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas.

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Lookin At Lucky’s Tall Boy Breaks Maiden In UAE 2000 Guineas

Calumet Farm's Tall Boy (Lookin At Lucky) broke his maiden in stirring fashion, running out a length winner of the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas Presented by Nakheel over Shirl's Bee (Bee Jersey) for trainer Doug O'Neill and jockey William Buick at Meydan on Friday evening.

Sitting just off the Charles Fipke runner after leaving the chute, the chestnut edged closer as noses pointed for home. Refusing to give his rival a breather, the pair locked horns in earnest by the 600-metre mark. Throughout the stretch drive, it appeared that Tall Boy was moving the better of the duo, but Shirl's Bee was dogged against the fence and pushed him all the way through the final furlong, as the winner inched away late. Mr Raj (Bolt d'Oro) closed to take third.

“We were going a good pace and I didn't expect to be where I was, as he struggled for pace early in America,” said Buick, winning this race for a third time. “He showed guts, good attitude and I expect connections will have one eye on the [G3] UAE Derby after that. Once we turned into the straight I felt him grow an inch and he gave me plenty in response.”

Although winless prior to his trip to Meydan, the colt has been slugged it out with some of the biggest names in the California 3-year-old division. He ran fifth when unveiled in the wake of 'TDN Rising Star' and subsequent dual Grade I-winning Juvenile Cave Rock (Arrogate) and Practical Move (Practical Joke) at Del Mar on Aug. 13. Dropped in for an $80,000 tag, he improved with a closing second in a maiden claimer still at the seaside oval on Sept. 5, and rallied for third behind fellow 'Rising Star' Spun Intended (Hard Spun) back in maiden special weight company there on Nov. 26. In his final start of 2022, Tall Boy ran fourth in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity to Practical Move in late December, and Friday's victory was O'Neill's second in the race after Fore Left (Twirling Candy) in 2020.

Pedigree Notes

Bred by Rockingham Ranch, the February-born colt was picked up by Calumet from Paramount Sales for just $40,000 as a Keeneland November weanling. He is the 72nd stakes winner for his GI Preakness S.-winning Coolmore Ashford sire. His unraced dam has fillies of 2021 and 2022 by Liam's Map, and Gun Runner, respectively. O'Neill signed for the former on behalf of Del Mar Group for $100,000 out of last autumn's Keeneland September Yearling Sale, also from Paramount.

The second dam, the winning Golden Peach, by GI Belmont victor Touch Gold, is a half-sister to Grade III winners Squadron A (Unbridled's Song) and Belgravia (Mr. Greeley), as well as the three-time graded-placed Persuading (Broken Vow). Qualique (Hawaii {SAf}), out of fourth dam Dorothy Gaylord (Sensitivo {Arg}), claimed the GI Demoiselle S. in 1983.

 

Friday, Meydan, Dubai
UAE 2000 GUINEAS PRESENTED BY NAKHEEL-G3, $150,000, Meydan, 2-10, 3yo, 8f, 1:37.32, fs.
1–TALL BOY, 121, c, 3, by Lookin At Lucky
1st Dam: Madame Mayra, by Scat Daddy
2nd Dam: Golden Peach, by Touch Gold
3rd Dam: Peaks Mill, by Stalwart
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. ($40,000 Wlg '20
KEENOV). O-Calumet Farm; B-Rockingham Ranch (KY); T-Doug
O'Neill; J-William Buick. $90,000. Lifetime Record: 5-1-1-1,
$122,186. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Shirl's Bee, 121, c, 3, Bee Jersey–Shirl's Soul, by Perfect Soul
(Ire). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Charles
Fipke (KY); T-Doug Watson. $30,000.
3–Mr Raj, 121, c, 3, Bolt d'Oro–Sonja's Angel, by Smoke
Glacken. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. ($70,000
RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP; €86,773 2yo '22 GOFMAR). O-Ahmad
Bintooq Al Marri; B-John B. Penn (FL); T-Ahmad bin Harmash.
$15,000.
Margins: 1, 1 3/4, 9HF.
Also Ran: Legend Of Cannes, Eye On The Prize (Arg), Magic Petition, Talentum, Tiger Nation, Morning. Click for the Video.

 

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Algiers Aims At Al Maktoum Challenge Double

Only four horses in the history of the Dubai World Cup Carnival have managed to win the first two rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge in the same year, with the last of the four, North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), completing the double in 2019. Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabousi's Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) could be number five, as he leaves from stall eight under James Doyle in Friday's G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Presented By Emaar.

The Simon and Ed Crisford charge blitzed the competition by 6 1/2 lengths when taking the first leg of the challenge in imperious fashion last month, and he is no stranger to group victories in the UAE, as he secured the G3 Jebel Ali Mile last February.

He might not be able to manage his previous stalk-and-pounce trip, as he faces a worthy opponent in Thunder Snow Challenge victor Salute The Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}), who went pillar to post in that affair.

Just below the top drawer in the past, Al Rashid Stables' 2022 G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 runner-up Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) defeated Bendoog (Gun Runner) in the Listed The Entisar when last seen in December.

Hassan Saleh Al Hammadi's Desert Wisdom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a winner of the G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday last March, was second to Bathran Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night. He was never involved to finish sixth in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 in the wake of Algiers earlier this year.

'Prince' Eyeing Hat Trick

Godolphin's Valiant Prince (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), fresh off of a three-quarter length victory in the G2 Al Rashidiya going this course and distance here on Jan. 13, is hoping to run his winning thread to three in Friday's $180,000 G2 Singspiel S. Presented By Emaar. A winner of the Listed Ganton S. at York in June, the bay defeated fellow royal blue colourbearers Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Saeed bin Suroor and fellow Appleby trainee Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) last month.

“Valiant Prince has come out of the Al Rashidiya well. He has to carry a penalty for that win but has a nice draw in stall two and should be very competitive based on what he achieved last time out,” said Appleby. “I feel Ottoman Fleet has come forward since the Al Rashidiya, when he travelled well before getting a bit tired in the last 100 yards. He is better at the weights with Valiant Prince this time, which should put him bang there.”

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Dubai Future ran well to finish second in the Al Rashidiya and this course and distance suits him. This is another tough race but he heads into it in good form.”

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's listed hero San Donato (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) will attempt to regain his form after a seventh-place effort while racing in the rear for trainer Doug Watson in the G2 Al Rashidiya behind Valiant Prince.

Godolphin Quartet Tough To Get Past In Cape Verdi

One of the few races exclusively dedicated to fillies and mares at group level during the Dubai World Cup Carnival, the G2 Cape Verdi Presented By Emaar sees Godolphin field one third of the 12-horse field. Charlie Appleby's With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) towers above the dozen entered in the rankings at 112. After taking a stakes in England last May, the daughter of 2009 G2 Flying Childers S. victress Sand Vixen (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) traveled to America and ran with credit to take second in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. in July. A winner of the GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational S. in her own right one month later, With The Moonlight was a close fifth in the GII Lake Placid S. on Aug. 20, but the Cape Verdi is her first try back.

Stablemate and Grade I heroine Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) could only manage fourth to the re-opposing Saeed bin Suroor duo of Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and White Moonlight (Medaglia d'Oro) in the IPI Tombe S. on Jan. 13.

“With The Moonlight is clear on official ratings and, while the trip will be on the sharper side, I feel that the style of racing at Meydan will suit her,” Appleby said. “Wild Beauty has definitely come on for her first start of the year and will hopefully be very competitive. I feel we have two fillies that should be bang there in the finish.”

Bin Suroor was also positive on his pair, and said, “Soft Whisper is a tough filly, who always tries in her races, and came out of her win in the Ipi Tombe S. in good form. She has been going well at home and I'm looking for another success from her. White Moonlight is a big, strong filly, who is improving all the time. Her latest piece of work went well and the step back up in trip will suit. We are hopeful of another good effort.”

Dirt Sprinters Eye Al Shindagha Laurels

Rounding out the quartet of group races on Friday is the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint presented by Emaar. Fielding 13 runners after two scratches, the 1200-metre affair is a contentious clash, with track-and-trip G3 hero Eastern World (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) one of the leading contenders. The Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi colourbearer was fifth in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen here on Dubai World Cup night when last seen.

Even with Eastern World at 111 on rankings is Shadwell's Mubakker (Speightstown), who was fifth in the G2 Godolphin Mile last March. Now seven, the Doug Watson-trained grey has not lost any talent with another year under his belt, as he was only 1 1/2 lengths behind Switzerland (Speightstown), and a like margin in front of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's 2021 G3 UAE 2000 Guineas victor Mouheeb (Flatter) in the G3 Dubawi S. on Jan. 6.

Another Watson trainee set to leave stall seven is Isolate (Mark Valeski) for RRR Racing. Placed in the GIII Nashua S. back in 2020 Stateside, the two-time stakes winner was second in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. in his final start for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Tom Amoss, and is making his desert bow for Doug Watson on Friday.

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