Dubai: Kitaaby, owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, denied favourite Shawaahid, also running in Shaikh Hamdan’s colours, a hat-trick of wins when doing the better work to land the Eddie Stobart Industrial Sector Handicap at Newmarket.
Having won at Newbury and Leicester on his last two starts, Shawaahid was looking to maintain his winning momentum only to be touched off by James Doyle aboard the winner.
Winning trainer Brian Meehan told Racing UK: “He is very progressive and had two quick races resulting in back-to-back wins.
“We gave him a little break and then we had a choice of races — either at Newbury last Tuesday or this one.
“I asked Shadwell if we could run here as it was more valuable.”
Earlier Khafoo Shememi was a surprise winner over odds-on favourite Mazyoun in the opening Eddie Stobart E Fulfilment EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes.
The Al Saqab Racing-owned Mazyoun hit the front approaching the final furlong but was reined in by Pat Dobbsaboard the Saeed Suhail-owned Khafoo Shememi which is trained by Richard Hannon.
Dobbs, who finished runner-up to Tadhg O’Shea in the 2015-2016 UAE jockey’s championship, said: “We’ve taken our time with him and mentally he’s been a bit weak. But he’ll get further and he’s a horse for next year.”
Bruce Raymond, racing manager for Suhail, added: “He’s a nice horse and has always been good.”
Tom Ward, assistant to Hannon, said: “He’s a nice, big horse who has shown plenty at home. We brought him here for experience and the further he went, the better he got and he’ll get a mile.
“Obviously he’s got plenty of ability. Not many of ours win first time and when they do win first time up, they’re usually a bit better.”
Kilmah, racing in the colours of Dubai businessman Abdulla Al Mansoori, gave trainer Mark Johnston a first success in the Prestige Stakes at Beverley.
