Dubai: There might not be any Dubai World Cup meeting candidates on show at Jebel Ali Racecourse’s final race day on Friday, but the six-race card has nonetheless attracted some top-class runners led by the outstanding home-trained Forjatt.
Jebel Ali Stables handler Dhruba Selvaratnam has politely turned down an invitation from the Dubai Racing Club for his stable flag-bearer to run in the $1 million (Dh3.67 million) Godolphin Mile (Group 2), opting instead to humbly aim him at the Dh250,000 Jebel Ali Silver Jubilee Classic, the feature race of Friday’s card.
The nine-year-old has posted nine wins since he was transferred from Roger Varian’s Newmarket base in the UK to Jebel Ali Stables, but none of them have come at Meydan.
“We received an invite for the Mile, but turned it down as he (Forjatt), does not act on the dirt or turf,” Selvaratnam said. “It makes no sense to run if you think your horse will not perform up to expectations.
“It’s unfortunate, but we thought it would be better to run him in our feature race, the Jebel Ali Silver Jubilee Mile, which, should he win, will be very special, as this is our 25th anniversary.
“And what better way to celebrate than by winning a race named in honour of the landmark.”
Run over 1,400 metres, the race has attracted a full field of 16 runners, including several Jebel Ali specialists, which makes Forjatt’s task all that harder as he bids to replicate his feature of winning the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile, the biggest and most prestigious race held at Jebel Ali Racecourse.
Satish Seemar, who has sent out the most winners for the season at the track — 10 in all — is represented by Ahlan Emarati, who is looking for his first UAE win in 13 starts.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, will sponsor five of the races under the banner of his breeding empire, Shadwell and its associates.
“Shaikh Hamdan has expressed his delight and satisfaction at the way the season panned out at Jebel Ali Racecourse,” said Mirza Al Sayegh, director of Shaikh Hamdan’s office.
“He is particularly pleased with the high level of the racing, the results and the organisation, which has been next to flawless.
“Jebel Ali Racecourse remains at the forefront of racing in the UAE and has adhered to its motto of being a ‘family style’ racecourse. This season, like in the past, produced so many memorable moments and there is so much to look forward to for next season,” he added.
“Shaikh Hamdan has confirmed that he will continue to support and assist Jebel Ali Racecourse to get better and better as a venue, year after year.”
Roma Capannelle, a long-timer partner of Jebel Ali Racecourse, will sponsor one of the six races on the card as part of a twin sponsorship merger.
Jebel Ali Racecourse in turn will sponsor a race at Capannelle this year.
