Valiant Prince A New Group Winner For Dubawi In Dubai

The $180,000 G2 Al Rashidiya Presented By Azizi featured a Godolphin trifecta once the dust settled, as Valiant Prince (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) came out on top by three-quarters of a length over the better-fancied pair of Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Saeed bin Suroor, and Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). It was the second Friday of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, and a one/three finish for Charlie Appleby.

The 1800-metre contest began with the eventual winner in close quarters under James Doyle and shuffled back to a midpack perch, as bin Suroor trainee Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire})–the fourth of the Godolphin quartet–cut out fractions on the front end. Dubai Future rated just off the frontrunner with Wirko (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) to his outside, and Valiant Prince was on Dubai Future's tail.

Able to save ground against the fence, Valiant Prince appeared poised for a big effort rounding the far bend and Wirko retreated leaving the turn. Passion And Glory's lead diminished upon straightening, and Dubai Future took over with 400 metres remaining, as Ottoman Fleet also began to let down for his run. Splitting Dubai Future and Ottoman Fleet, the dark bay battled with those foes, before finally subduing Dubai Future in the final 50 metres. Ottoman Fleet's drive fell flat.

“It was a big step forward on what he's achieved in the past,” said Doyle. “We were drawn well, but it got a little hairy on the bend and the two in front got away. It kind of suited him as he doesn't want to see much daylight and the way he picked up was quite a surprise–he felt like he was always going to win comfortably.”

A winner of a brace of one-mile Meydan handicaps last winter, the 5-year-old ran fourth in the Listed Paradise S. returned to England in April. He drew off to win the Listed Ganton S. by four lengths at York in June, and Friday was his first start in 217 days.

 

Pedigree Notes

Darley's remarkable Dubawi, fresh off his first UK/Ireland Champion Sire title, has sired 249 black-type winners. Friday's winner is his 162nd group scorer.

Valiant Prince joins G3 Pinnacle S. heroine Klassique (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) as group winners out of G1 Matron S. victress Chachamaidee (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). Klassique, who was also placed an additional three times at group level in England and France, has colts by Siyouni (Fr) and Lope De Vega (Ire) in 2021 and 2022. The last reported foal for Chachamaidee is Capitano (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who is an unraced 3-year-old colt.

A half-sibling to G3 Premier Cup winner Chief Whip (Giant's Causeway) and a full to G3 Fred Darling S. heroine J Wonder (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), Chachamaidee is from the extended family of G1 1000 Guineas heroine Virginia Waters (Kingmambo), herself the granddam of G3 Snow Fairy S. winner and G1 Irish Oaks/G1 Pretty Polly S. bridesmaid Rain Goddess (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Friday, Meydan, Dubai
AL RASHIDIYA PRESENTED BY AZIZI-G2, $180,000, Meydan,
1-13, 3yo/up, 9fT, 1:46.92, gd.
1–VALIANT PRINCE (IRE), 126, g, 5, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Chachamaidee (Ire) (Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at
                                5-7f, Hwt. Older Mare-Ire at 7-9 1/2f,
                                G1SW-Ire, MGSW & G1SP-Eng, $650,743),
                                by Footstepsinthesand (GB)
2nd Dam: Canterbury Lace, by Danehill
3rd Dam: Legend Maker (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
1ST GROUP WIN. (200,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Godolphin;
B-R A H Evans (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle.
$108,000. Lifetime Record: SW-Eng, 9-5-2-0, $229,409. *1/2 to
Klassique (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), GSW-Eng, MGSP-Fr, $180,470.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dubai Future (GB), 126, g, 7, Dubawi (Ire)–Anjaz, by Street
Cry (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor. $36,000.
3–Ottoman Fleet (GB), 125, g, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Innevera
(Fr), by Motivator (GB). (€290,000 Wlg '19 ARQDEC;
425,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-SCEA Marmion
Vauville & Alain Jathiere (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. $18,000.
Margins: 3/4, HF, 4 1/4.
Also Ran: Zagrey (Fr), Freescape (GB), Fastnet Crown (Ire), San Donato (Ire), King David (Den), Passion And Glory (Ire), Ursa Minor (Ire), Wirko (Ger). Click for the VIDEO.

 

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Irish Thoroughbred Welfare Council 2022 Best-Turned-Out League Winners Announced

The winners of the 2022 Irish Thoroughbred Welfare Council Best-Turned-Out League were announced on Friday. Staff from yards of Jim Bolger, Gordon Elliott, James Fahey, Michael Halford, Eoin McCarthy, Michael O'Callaghan and Robert Tyner's were honoured in different categories.

The categories are based on the number of runners each yard had during their season. Each yard wins €3,000 to be divided among staff. The winning yards are as follows:

  • Flat Category A: Jim Bolger's yard with 72 best-turned-out horses from 279 runners.
  • Flat Category B: Michael Halford's yard with 85 best-turned-out competitions from 216 runners.
  • Flat Category C: Michael O'Callaghan's yard with 37 best-turned-out horses from 119 runners.
  • Jumps Category A: Gordon Elliott's staff with 160 best-turned-out horses from 1,196 runners.
  • Jumps Category B: Eoin McCarthy's yard with 74 best-turned-out horses from 193 runners.
  • Jumps Category C: James Fahey's yard and Robert Tyner's team in a dead heat with 30 best-turned-out winners from just 64 and 82 runners, respectively. They share the €3,000 prize-money.

Bolger, Halford, Elliott, and Fahey's teams were also honoured in 2021.

John Osborne, Equine Welfare & Bloodstock Director at HRI, said, “Once again the best-turned-out (BTO) league has rewarded excellence in horse care while highlighting the high standard across the racing industry. We are delighted to see that over 280 different yards won a BTO prize during the year and the feedback is that it is getting ultra-competitive among yards. We have repeat winners from 2021 in the Elliott, Bolger, Halford and James Fahey yards with new category winners from Michael O'Callaghan's, Eoin McCarthy and Robert Tyner's. It was especially exciting to see the dead heat between James Fahey and Robert Tyner's in the last few days of the competition.”

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Tamarkuz’s Tiger Nation Stays Perfect In UAE 2000 Guineas Trial

3rd-Meydan, Cond, $60,000, 3yo, 7f, 1:24.51, fs.
TIGER NATION (c, 3, Tamarkuz–Silken, by Out Of Place) rocketed straight to the vanguard while under pressure to his outside from Morning (Munnings). Striding out in a good rhythm, the dark bay's lead shrank to a neck as Morning inched closer, but he found another gear at the 350-metre mark and motored home a 1 1/4-length victor. Es-Unico (Brz) (War Secretary) produced an eye-catching turn of foot to take second, 5 1/4 lengths ahead of Sharp Army (Sharp Azteca). Morning faded to fourth. Tiger Nation had previously won his career bow by open lengths at Jebel Ali on New Year's Day. “It wasn't an easy race and I wasn't sure what to expect, but it couldn't have gone better,” said jockey Mickael Barzalona. “He's inexperienced but fast and powerful so he's got everything he needs to get the [UAE 2000 Guineas] trip.” Added trainer Salem bin Ghadayer, “I wasn't sure about running him here but I got some pressure from Mickael who wanted him to experience the lights and the track, rather than go straight to the 2000 Guineas. I don't see it's impossible for him to get the mile.” The third foal and first winner for his dam, Tiger Nation is followed by juvenile filly Social Smile (Uncle Mo). After missing to Moonshine Mullen in 2022, Silken was covered last spring by Echo Town. The winner's first four dams were all bred by Claiborne farm. His third dam, the Majestic Light mare Knot, is the fourth dam of dual Grade III winner Clearly Now (Horse Greeley) and GIII Desert Stormer S. oftlineheroine Bendable (Horse Greeley). Sales history: $110,000 2yo '22 FTIMAY. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $45,803. VIDEO.
O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Richard T. Jackson (KY); T-Salem bin Ghadayer.

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Paul Hensey Named New CEO Of The Association Of Irish Racecourses

Paul Hensey has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) and begins his role later this month. He will replace Paddy Walsh, who is retiring after over two decades in the position, on Mar. 31.

Hensey was most recently the Chief Operating Officer of Al Shaqab Racing, and he also worked with the Turf Club for six years. Previously, he also spent almost 15 years managing the Curragh Racecourse and training grounds and was also a member of AIR. He served two terms on the board of AIR during this time.

Conor O'Neill, Chairman of AIR, said, “Over the last few months, AIR has embarked on a competitive public recruitment process to find our incoming CEO. This extensive search was expertly handled on our behalf by Principal Connections–executive search who are part of Agilium Worldwide, LLC, one of the world's top global executive search groups. Following a meeting of the board of AIR this afternoon, I am delighted to announce that Paul Hensey's appointment was formally approved.

“Paul will take over the reins from Paddy Walsh when he retires from office at the end of March. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Paul on his appointment and welcome him on behalf of the board and our members. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing CEO Paddy Walsh who has played an integral role in the association and indeed the wider industry for decades. It has been my pleasure to work alongside him during my time as Chairman of the association and although we still have plenty of work to do between now and then I wish him the very best and every good wish for his retirement.”

Hensey added, “I am delighted with the appointment and feel this role really plays to my strengths. I am extremely proud of and passionate about the Irish horse racing product and I'm very much looking forward to getting involved in the racecourse side of the industry once again. Having been a member of the Association of Irish Racecourses for many years, I am keenly aware of the importance of this association, and the role it plays for our members and I am very much looking forward to getting started.”

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