Dubai: Former UAE-based handler David Marnane pulled off a surprise win at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday when he saddled long-shot Jamesie to win the Gulf News tabloid! Handicap.
The Irish handler’s fourth UAE success and first of the season came in the opening event of a competitive six-race Dubai World Cup Carnival card sponsored by Gulf News.
Jamesie, a seven-year-old son of Kodiac, was notching his first success since winning a handicap in Fairhouse, Ireland, in July 2011.
Fergal Lynch rode a confident race aboard the winner as he scorched home a one-length winner over Merhee, the mount of Belgian ace Christophe Soumillon, with Martin Harley’s Masamah a neck back in third.
Ireland-based Lynch was delighted to open his Carnival account, saying: “He’s got a nice cruising speed and I was always confident that he would get there. I’m really happy with this result.”
Marnane, a regular visitor to the Carnival, was previously based with champion trainer Kiaran McLaughlin in the UAE.
Gulf News returned to Meydan as a sponsor for the second time in less than a week, having supported Saturday’s domestic card as well. A large crowd was in attendance at the iconic racecourse, where fans were treated to top-quality racing and some colourful entertainment by Chinese dancers and acrobatic troupes as Meydan celebrated the Chinese New Year and Year of the Horse.
The entertainment programme, a first for this year’s Carnival, featured the famous Thousand Hands performers, lantern and ribbon dancers and the Kung Fu Sword performers.
Marie Anne, a first-time visitor to Meydan, said: “This is unbelievable, I could never have imagined something this beautiful was happening in Dubai.
“I’m not a terribly big racing fan, but I’ve been racing at York and Goodwood — but this is so different, so unique.
“Racing under lights is brilliant and the quality of participation is top-class. I’m so thrilled Frankie Dettori is riding today and first class riders like Christophe Soumillon, Jamie Spencer and Mickael Barzalona. Who can forget his [Barzalona’s] two wins in the Epsom Derby and the Dubai World Cup, and the way he celebrated standing up in the saddle. You can be sure that I’ll be seen a lot more here in the weeks to come. And I’ll bring my friends as well.”
