Dubai: Top jockey William Buick is all set to return to action in the UAE when he makes his seasonal debut at this week's Jebel Ali race meeting.
Buick has been retained jockey at the Dhurba Selvaratnam-managed Jebel Ali Stables since the 2008-2009 season. He is welcomed back by a promising book of five rides, including one aboard Emmrooz in the Shadwell Farm-sponsored feature event which he won 12 months ago.
The famous yellow colours of the Jebel Ali Stables will be defended by Buick as he takes on eight rivals in the conditions race over a mile for a top prize of Dh120,000.
Meanwhile, Shadwell Farm continue to support the feature event at Jebel Ali and are joined on the six-race card by Emirates, Al Shafar Group, Ascana, Orient Irrigation Services and the Emirates Horse Breeders Society.
Speaking on behalf of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, and owner of Shadwell, Mirza Al Sayegh commented: "Shaikh Hamdan is committed to supporting the feature race at Jebel Ali Racecourse during its 40th Anniversary.
"He is a strong supporter of racing in the UAE and hopes that through his sponsorship the sport of horse racing will be the benefactor. Jebel Ali racecourse continues to be one of the main attractions during the UAE racing season and he is delighted to play a part to maintain and hopefully raise the profile of racing at the venue and around the UAE."
Return
The card will see the return of the Emirates Horse Breeders Society as sponsors of the lone Purebred Arabian race on the day which will be run as the Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Breeders Society Challenge over seven furlongs. A full field of 16 runners, including three reserves, will complement the race which is for maidens and winner of one race.
Dr Hussain Habeeb Al Reda, representing Emirates Horse Breeders Society at yesterday's press conference, remarked: "It's always nice too see a full field of runners in a race."
