The Victorious runner, trained by Fawzi Nass, raced in between rivals on the front end from the chute and dropped back for a breather rounding the bend as fellow front-runner Lahfaty (Mitole) asserted while pressed by Frost At Dawn (Frosted). Adrie de Vries urged his mount to quicken at the head of the straight and she duly obliged with a strong turn of foot, as they shifted out into the centre of the track to challenge in the lane. The chestnut forged past the leading duo and strode clear to win with authority. Three-and-a-half lengths separated the second, Lahfaty, and third, Kibo Misaki (Girvin).

“I got a little bit of pressure on the turn; it got a little bit tight,” said de Vries. “But once Jim's horse [Crowley, Frost At Dawn] came past me then it was just a matter of straightening up and she did the job pretty easy.

“I didn't want to be too hard on her, but I wanted to teach her something. Once she hits the front she doesn't do much–she's just having a look around. I guess that's a good thing.”

Part of the Taylor Made consignment at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale, the chestnut caught the eye of Lane Richardson, who shelled out $100,000 on behalf of Kevin Knuckley. Richardson Bloodstock re-offered Manama Gold at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training in March of 2023 after she breezed a furlong in :10 1/5. Her value doubled to $200,000, when she was marked as sold to Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock.

Already a half-sister to the stakes-placed Sethamee Street (Street Sense) and a full-sister to multiple stakes winner Ova Charged (Star Guitar), who has earned her black-type accolades in Lousiana where their sire stands, Manama Gold has a half-sister by Not This Time born last year. Her dam was barren to the cover of Star Guitar for this spring.

4th-Meydan, AED300,000, Cond., 1-19, 3yo, f, 1600m, 1:38.40, ft.
MANAMA GOLD f, 3, Star Guitar
                1st Dam: Charged Cotton (SW-US, $162,741),
                                by Dehere
                2nd Dam: Lightning Lydia, by Broad Brush
                3rd Dam: Bye The Bye, by Balzac
($100,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $200,000 2yo '23 OBSSPR). Lifetime record: 2-2-0-0, AED306,000. Click for the ERA chart and video. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Victorious. B-Brittlyn, Inc. (LA). T-Fawzi Nass.

@AbdullaNass_ 's unbeaten daughter of Star Guitar dominates the Cocoa Beach Stakes Presented by Jebel Ali Port

Make no mistake, this is a proper filly #DubaiCarnival pic.twitter.com/UB0Yh7OL0R

— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) January 19, 2024

The post Star Guitar Filly Gets The Gold At Meydan En Route To ‘TDN Rising Star’ Honours appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

G3 Glorious S. winner and Group 1-placed Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), representing Saeed bin Suroor, and First Ruler (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) from the Charlie Appleby yard both line up in the King's Cup. Appleby also saddles listed winner and multiple group-placed Modern News (GB) (Shamardal) in the Al Methaq Mile.

Appleby said, “First Ruler has got a progressive profile. This is his first test at listed level so we will learn a bit more about him. His profile is going the right way that he doesn't look out of place at this level, but we will be wiser afterwards. The track and conditions should suit him.”

On Modern News Appleby added, “Modern News is a solid campaigner; I was delighted with his last start at Meydan and stepping back up to a mile will suit him. With a nice draw, I think he is the one they've got to beat. He has got a penalty, but I think he can overcome that, and conditions will suit him.”

Zagato (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who won last year's edition of the King's Cup, will attempt to defend his crown for trainer Fawzi Nass. Allan Smith has two in the race for Al Adiyat Racing: Rayounpour (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Recovery Run (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).

Smith said, “Recovery Run and Rayounpour have both been in and out of form this season, but they're both working well so we're hopeful. The competition is getting much better in Bahrain and the strength of the horses is amazing in the last three years. We love the competition that's what it's all about, it makes everyone get better horses and improve their stable.”

Smith added, “This is the raceday of our season. It always has been The King's Cup. It's the equivalent to Royal Ascot; it's the pinnacle of racing in Bahrain.”

The feature race, The King's Cup, will be available to watch live on Racing TV and via live stream on The Bahrain Turf Club website at 12:45 p.m. UK time.

The post Bahraini Listed Races Attract Godolphin Participation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

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.

Salute The Soldier loves the Al Maktoum Challenge

He wins the G1 prize for the second time, providing Adrie de Vries, @AbdullaNass_ & Victorious

2021
2023#DWC23 | #RacingDubai | @emirates pic.twitter.com/pFxMWZpSbj

— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 4, 2023

The post ‘Soldiering’ On appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Ten runners will face the starter, the line-up including horses from Britain, Ireland, France, Denmark, Dubai, and of course Bahrain for the fourth running of the 2000-metre contest. And it's not just the four-legged stars boasting international pedigrees as the £600,000 race has drawn some of the biggest names from the weighing-room, including newly-crowned British champion William Buick, Frankie Dettori, Derby-winning jockey Richard Kingscote, Oisin Orr, Mickael Barzalona, Olivier Peslier and Gerald Mosse.

The Bahrain International Trophy got off to a flying start in 2019 when the Jerome Reynier-trained Royal Julius (Ire) (Royal Applause {GB}) held off John Gosden and Godolphin's Turgenev (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and French trainers have lent strong support this year, with Andre Fabre returning for another crack with last year's third-placed finisher, the Godolphin homebred Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro). The well-travelled 7-year-old, who is a Group 3 winner in his home country, warmed up for this challenge with an easy victory in a Chantilly conditions race on Oct. 8 and will jump from stall five under Barzalona.

Andreas Schutz fields the 7-year-old Monty (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), who was last seen running second to Addeybb (Ire) in the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris and has strong form lines with the other French challenger, Riocorvo (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger}), who was runner-up to Monty in the G3 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte in early September, having previously won the G3 Grand Prix de Vichy in July for Chantilly-based Spaniard Carlos Laffon-Parias. Monty has drawn stall nine, while Riocorvo is in two, just outside the local challenger Dilawar (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who will be ridden by Dettori for Fawzi Nass. The Aga Khan-bred 5-year-old makes his first start for Nass and Victorious Racing having been bought for €500,000 at the Arqana Arc Sale.

Godolphin is represented by four runners from three different stables, with Britain's champion trainer Charlie Appleby saddling the 4-year-old Royal Fleet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is drawn widest of all in 10 and has been in good form in England this autumn, winning the Listed Bahrain Turf Club Foundation S at Goodwood before twice being placed at Newmarket in the G3 Darley S. and Listed Seymour S. Saeed Bin Suroor is doubly represented by Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who are drawn alongside each other in stalls four and five.

Willie McCreery makes his first trip to the island with Insinuendo (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), a Group 2 winner on her home track at the Curragh and most recently third behind Emily Upjohn (GB) and Thunder Kiss (Ire) in the G1 QIPCO British Champion Fillies & Mares S. Whatever the outcome of Friday's race, for which she will start from gate seven, the next outing for the 5-year-old mare will be to the sale ring at Tattersalls, as Insinuendo is set to sell during the Sceptre Sessions on Nov. 29.

“She seems to have travelled really well and she has been very relaxed out on the track here so we are very happy with her,” said McCreery. “She's been a great flag-bearer and we are excited to see her run this last time.”

The pride of Danish racing, King David (Den) (Elusive City), whose eight victories include Group 3 wins in Germany, Norway and Denmark, is representing trainer Niels Petersen, who drew stall eight for his stable star and commented, “I must say that he has improved a lot this year. We had him in Dubai over the winter and he ran some decent races but this season he has stepped up, even though he is getting older.

“He had his last run in August and I said to his owner that this race could be a potential target if we could get him in. He's a good ground horse so we left him off during the autumn with this race in mind and it is fantastic to be here. We've been extremely well looked after and it has been a huge experience so far. It would mean the world [to win] but we are part of a small racing community so just to be able to come here is a big win in itself.”

Completing the line-up from gate six, is the former Marco Botti-trained Pensiero d'Amore (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), a four-time winner in the UK who was bought in July to race in Bahrain for Al-Afoo Racing and trainer Mohammed Hasan.

The post Strong Godolphin Challenge for Bahrain International Trophy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

A $425,000 purchase out of the 2021 OBS April Sale, the bald-faced chestnut, bred by SF Bloodstock, debuted with a nine-length victory in a seven-furlong event at Meydan Dec. 9 and was accorded 'Rising Star' status off a visually impressive 2 1/2-length score in a Jan. 1 allowance. Victorious in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas Jan. 28, she met with some adversity in the 9 1/2-furlong UAE Oaks, but managed to overcome a poor start and a bit of a wide trip to remain undefeated.

Owned by KHK Racing and trained in Dubai by Fawzi Nass, Shahama is a half-sister to two-time Eclipse Award winner Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) and to two-time graded-stakes winner Kensei (Mr. Greeley). Connections paid the $200 nomination fee to make Shahama eligible for the Oaks at its first closing stage Feb. 19.

The post Report: UAE Oaks Winner Shahama To Join Pletcher Barn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Off to an awkward beginning, Shahama was clearly last under the wire the first time around and appeared to be climbing badly into the kickback as Adrie de Vries urged her along. Able to tack onto the back of the pack with 1400 metres to travel, the May 9 foal was guided out into about the four path as the field reached the halfway point. Four wide at the three-eighths peg, Shahama began to catch the eye and loomed at the top of the straight to make a line of three. Tenderly ridden by de Vries, she was asked to accelerate a bit 300 metres from home and was always holding Arabian Gazelles (Mastery), who gave game chase. Minwah (Cupid) completed a US-bred sweep.

“She was very upset today because of the screen, the music, [the start being in] the straight,” the winning jockey said. “She jumped a bit awkward because she was sitting down in the gate. It was a little bit awkward,` as there were a few horses who couldn't bring me to the leader, so I had to go wide to get her out of the kickback, but she did it very easy.”

Pedigree Notes:

Trainer Fawzi Nass's name appeared on the docket when Shahama–a May 9 foal–was hammered down for $425,000 at last year's OBS April Sale after breezing a quarter-mile in :21 flat. From the same Gone West sire line as the talented multiple graded-stakes winning Kensei and a half to dual Eclipse Award winner Lookin At Lucky, Shahama is out of a daughter of the stakes-winning Regal Feeling, whose Grade III-winning daughter Grand Charmer (Lord Avie) was responsible for GSP juvenile filly True Feelings (Latent Heat). Regal Feeling is also responsible for Flirtatious (A.P. Indy), the dam of champion Wait A While (Maria's Mon). The now 23-year-old Private Feeling is represented by a yearling colt by Catalina Cruiser and is due to Smart Strike's Grade I-winning son Tom's d'Etat this year. Shahama is the 24th graded/group winner for Munnings.

Friday, Meydan, Dubai
UAE OAKS PRESENTED BY JAFZA-G3, $150,000, Meydan, 2-18, 3yo, f, 9 1/2f, 2:02.25, ft.
1–SHAHAMA, 126, f, 3, by Munnings
1st Dam: Private Feeling, by Belong To Me
2nd Dam: Regal Feeling, by Clever Trick
3rd Dam: Sharp Belle, by Native Charger
'TDN Rising Star' 1ST GROUP WIN. ($425,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-KHK Racing; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (KY); T-Fawzi Abdulla Nass; J-Adrie de Vries. $90,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $223,670. *1/2 to Kensei (Mr. Greeley), MGSW, $751,364; and Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike), Ch. 2yo & 3yo Colt-US, MGISW, $3,307,278. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
2–Arabian Gazelles, 126, f, 3, Mastery–Adventure, by Unbridled's Song. ($110,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. O-Mrs Fitri Hay; B-AR Enterprises, LLC (KY); T-Bhupat Seemar. $30,000.
3–Minwah, 126, f, 3, Cupid–My Curlina, by Belong To Me. ($130,000 Ylg '20 KEEJAN; $130,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEP; $70,000 2yo '21 FTMMAY). 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. O-Ahmad Bintooq; B-Tom Evans & Pam Clark (KY); T-Doug Watson. $15,000.
Margins: 2, 3 1/4, 2 1/4.
Also Ran: Remas, Uchchaihshravas (Ire), Shadzadi (Ire), Hot Pink (Ire). Click for the Emiratesracing.com result. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

The post Shahama Makes The Grade In UAE Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“I was very impressed,” said jockey Adrie De Vries. “The race went totally different than I expected; I thought there would be a really strong pace with three sprinters in there but they all had the same plan. I wanted to take the pace out, which the outside draw helped me do and got me in a handy position. From there it was only a question of pushing the button and she answered every question.

“There's plenty left in the tank. She's only doing what you ask her to do and I haven't got serious with her yet.”

Trained by Fawzi Nass, she has earned $133,484 to date. After speeding an Under Tack quarter in :21 flat, she was purchased for $425,000 by her trainer out of the Eddie Woods consignment at the 2021 OBS April Sale.

While the Saudi Derby might be tempting, connections are leaning towards staying in Dubai with the daughter of Munnings. The Group 3 UAE Oaks looks the next step towards possibly taking on colts in the Group 2 UAE Derby.

“The Oaks looks the obvious next race,” added De Vries. “I'm not afraid about going further; any distance up to a mile and a quarter will suit her.”

The post Shahama Remains Unbeaten In Three Starts With Friday’s UAE 1,000 Guineas Score appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The TDN Rising Star has now won all three of her starts at Meydan, following a nine-length opening strike on debut in early December and another facile win in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial on New Year's Day.

From the widest draw in stall six, Shahama was initially taken to the back of the pack by Adrie de Vries but the pair swiftly made a sharp move down the back straight to cruise from last to second, with the eventual winner sitting cosily behind Minwah (Cupid) for a tow round the bend for home. Once in the straight de Vries had only to shake the reins to ask Shahama to pick up and swoop past the leader, and the jockey remained all but motionless as his impressive mount eased clear of the Doug Watson-trained Minwah, who stayed on for second, albeit almost four lengths adrift at the post. In a clean sweep for American-breds, Little Afrodite (Shackleford) was another 11 lengths back in third.

Trained by Fawzi Nass, Shahama looks a smart prospect for her Bahraini owners Shaikh Duaij and Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa of KHK Racing. Asked after the race on their plans for the filly, Shaikh Duaij told the Dubai Racing Channel that the G3 UAE Oaks is the likely next target for Shahama, with a potential shot at the G2 UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup night to follow. 

Pedigree notes

Shahama's $425,000 price tag when bought by Fawzi Nass at the Ocala Spring breeze-up sale in Florida last April was no surprise as the SF Bloodstock-bred filly is a half-sister to the five-time Grade I winner and Ashford Stud sire Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) as well as the dual Grade II winner Kensei (Mr Greeley). Their dam, the dual 3-year-old winner Private Feeling (Belong To Me), is in turn a half-sister to GIII Pucker Up S. winner Grand Charmer (Lord Avie) and to the dam of champion 3-year-old Wait A While (Maria's Mon). The third dam Sharp Belle (Native Charger) won the GI Monmouth Oaks, while the further family includes Irish Derby winner Sir Harry Lewis (Alleged).

Private Feeling had no foal in 2020, but has a yearling colt by Catalina Cruiser and was covered last season by Tom's d'Etat, a Grade 1-winning son of Smart Strike.

The post Unbeaten Shahama Strikes In UAE Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Saeed Bin Suroor's 5-year-old heads a strong field for the Group 2 Zabeel Mile over a mile on turf. Beaten in four starts on dirt here last season, the son of Dark Angel was a revelation when returning to Europe, winning four races on the bounce, culminating in the Gr2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Paris Longchamp in October.

“He's a different horse to the one we saw finishing placed three times last Carnival,” said Bin Suroor, who won the Zabeel Mile in 2008 with Third Set and 2012 with Do It All. “He really strengthened up and matured over the summer, progressing from handicaps to Group company. He's been off the track since October, but we always planned to start him here, before looking at the Neom Turf Cup or the Saudi Cup. The G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday could also be an option.”

Real World, the mount of Frankie Dettori, is joined in the race by two other Godolphin trainees; Path Of Thunder and One Ruler, both trained by Charlie Appleby, who has won this race five times.

They finished first and sixth in the Zabeel Trophy three weeks ago and Appleby is confident of another big run from Path Of Thunder, saying: “He kicked off his Carnival by winning a Conditions race over a mile, so now he's forced himself into Group company. He should be competitive in the Zabeel Mile.”

Of One Ruler, whose classy European form saw him finish sixth in the Derby at Epsom, Appleby said: “He had an interrupted run when finishing sixth [behind Path Of Thunder], but he's come out of the race well.”

First Classic of season

The card also features the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas, in which the unbeaten Shahama has scared off much of the opposition. Trained by Fawzi Nass for owner KHK Racing, the daughter of Munnings overcame a muddy track in the Guineas Trial on New Year's Day to win by 2 1/2 lengths and looks hard to catch here.

However, Swedish-based Irish trainer Kahlil De Burca sends out his highly-regarded Uchcaihshravas, winner of her only start to date at Bro Park in Stockholm, Sweden.

“Fawzi's filly will be hard to beat, but we think our filly is special,” said De Burca, who will be saddling just his second runner in Dubai. “There isn't much between them on the times of the races they've won.”

Race eight, the Listed Dubai Sprint over six furlongs on the straight track, looks like one of the toughest races of the night for Pick Six players.

It features a raider from Australia, with Adelaide-based Will Clarken sending runners to the UAE for the first time. He saddles Parsifal here, who will be ridden by Caitlin Jones, seven races after she partners He's A Balter for the same trainer in the opening six-furlong Emaar Dubai Sprint Consolation race.

Among Parsifal's rivals is Man Of Promise, winner of this race a year ago for Appleby, who also runs G3 scorer Lazuli.

“He missed his intended start a couple of weeks ago after spiking a temperature”, said Appleby of Man Of Promise. “I didn't want to run him at less than 100 percent as he's a horse we think can be competitive at the Carnival. He's back on song now.”

On Lazuli, last seen finishing seventh in the G3 Troy Stakes at Saratoga in New York, he added: “Lazuli has a proper sprint profile. We're starting him over six on Friday to see whether he can book himself a slot in Saudi or go for one of the later sprints in Dubai.”

Competitive renewal of Zabeel Turf

The 1 1/4-mile Listed Zabeel Turf, race five, looks very competitive and features G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes winner Star Safari for Appleby. The 6-year-old warmed up for this assignment with a good second over 1 1/2 miles to Dubai Future in the Listed DRC Classic two weeks ago and will be happier back in distance.

The card is completed by two more dirt races. The seven-furlong Downtown Dubai Cup looks like a good opportunity for Doug Watson's Mubakker to follow up his six-furlong win here last month, while recent course winner Law Of Peace looks to have strong claims in the Graduate Stakes.

The post Dubai Carnival: Pair Of Unbeaten Fillies Top Friday’s UAE 1,000 Guineas appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

“There is quite a thick dew,” he said with a defensive grin as he awaited the arrival of the 14 runners for Friday's Bahrain International Trophy for their morning exercise on the pristine turf track.

Just ahead of the horses, the chairman of the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club, Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, appeared on course to greet the growing team of international visitors at Sakhir racecourse for the big race.

In just its third year, the early highlight of Bahrain's 27-meet racing calendar has been elevated to Group 3 level for the first time in 2021 and it has attracted a cast of runners from Bahrain, Britain, Ireland, France and Germany which fully befits that status.

There are few people more passionate about the development of horse racing in Bahrain than Shaikh Isa, the grandson of the King and a lifelong equestrian who also has horses in training in Britain. Following Friday's meeting, his focus will turn to the impending start of the new 10-race Bahrain Turf Series which it is hoped will draw similar international participation. 

“I was worried when I saw Neil's wellies this morning,” said a smiling Shaikh Isa at the draw for the International Trophy. “As it was in year one with the Bahrain International, it was a strong race but people I felt were just testing the water, and now I feel they have taken the plunge in year two and year three. The Turf Series is also going in that direction.”

Worth a total of £500,000, this year's Bahrain International Trophy has drawn four Godolphin entries from three different trainers. Charlie Appleby, fresh from his Breeders' Cup treble and en route to being crowned champion trainer in Britain for the first time, fields two of those, the current favourite Zakouski (GB) (Shamardal), winner last month of the listed Ben Marshall S. on his first start for 261 days, and the 7-year-old four-time Group 1 winner Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}). The latter notched the first of those top-level wins at three in the St James's Palace S. when trained by Richard Hannon and, following a stud stint shelved through infertility, he joined Appleby's stable in  2019 and added a trio of Group 1s to his record last year in Dubai and Germany. 

Godolphin's French-trained Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro) is currently second-favourite for the 10-furlong contest on the back of some consistent performances this season, including a last-start win in the G3 Prix Perth and a third-place finish in the Dubai World Cup in March. The 6-year-old, who will carry the red cap from stall 10, is set to become the first runner for Andre Fabre in Bahrain. The quartet in the royal blue is completed by the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is the mount of Frankie Dettori. 

The betting may suggest otherwise, but the fan favourite for Friday's main event is the Turnbull family's striking grey Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper). The popular 8-year-old was last seen in winning action in the G1 Jebel Hatta in March but appears to retain plenty of enthusiasm. His trainer David O'Meara and jockey Jason Watson arrived in Bahrain on Tuesday evening, and Watson was aboard Lord Glitters as he pranced to the track in the company of Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) some 12 hours later.

“He's an older horse now but the ability is still there and he thrives out in this part of the world with the heat in his joints,” said O'Meara after drawing gate 12 for his dual Group 1 winner. 

Fellow Yorkshire-based Fev Rover is one of two 3-year-old fillies in the field and her trainer Richard Fahey has also made the trip to Bahrain. He fared better at the draw with stall four for the Nick Bradley Racing-owned filly who was third in the 1000 Guineas.

“I'm delighted to get the opportunity to run this filly over a mile and a quarter on quick ground,” said Fahey, who added with a laugh, “I've been trying to find quick ground all season in Europe and every time I've entered her it's rained all week, so I'm just warning everyone it's probably going to rain heavily tomorrow in Bahrain.”

German trainer Andreas Suborics has recently taken over the training of Penja (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) from Jean-Claude Rouget after the Group 3 winner sold for €1.2 million to Jurgen Sartori at the Arqana Arc Sale. The 3-year-old will be reunited on Friday with Cristian Demuro, who has ridden her in all five starts in France this season. 

“She only arrived in my stable six weeks ago but she arrived in perfect condition,” said Suborics of Penja after drawing stall eight. “I couldn't be happier than I am with her at the moment. She had a good, fresh canter this morning and we have a good gate number. She will love the fast ground and there's nowhere else we can find good ground at this time of the year so everything is positive so far. Of course as a 3-year-old it is not easy to run against these older, experienced group horses but we are confident that she will perform well and if she is in the first four we will be happy.”

Ireland is represented by the Jessica Harrington-trained Cadillac (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who was ridden by Shane Foley during an easy canter on the turf and who has Richie and Emma Galway and Patrick Cooper among his support crew in Bahrain this week.

Pogo (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) and Victory Chime (Ire) (Campanologist) boost the British challenge, representing the stables of Charlie Hills and Ralph Beckett respectively, while a strong local defence will be launched by leading Bahrain trainer Fawzi Nass, who won last year's International Trophy with Simsir (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}).

The leading light from Nass's trio of runners appears to be his recent recruit Emperor Of The Sun (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the 4-year-old half-brother to Zoustar (Aus) who was previously trained by Donnacha O'Brien.

“I've only had him for a few days–for the last six weeks he has been with John O'Donoghue in Ireland so we have only got to see him here for the last five or six days but he seems fine,” said Nass, who will also saddle Naamoos (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Qaader (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), while his compatriot A Jaleel Al Mallah fields the outsider What A Welcome (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).

It is clear that the team behind racing in the Kingdom of Bahrain has its sights set on bigger things to come, starting with the launch of the £550,000 Turf Series on Dec. 10. But for now, International Pattern recognition is a source of satisfaction for Shaikh Isa.

“It's been three years in the works now and we now have our Group 3 status but we need to build on that,” he said. “We won't stop at just one Group 3.”

The post International Trophy Is Just The Start For Bahrain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post