Dubai: After weeks of anticipation, the 2014 Dubai World Cup Carnival kicked off in festive fashion in front of a big crowd at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday evening.
Harry Bentley, sporting the colours of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, rode an assertive race aboard the Majid Al Jahouri-trained Naseem to capture Round One of the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge for Purebred Arabians — one of the highlights of the opening night’s meeting.
“It’s a great way to start the Carnival and hopefully there will be more occasions like these,” said Bentley, who was winning his second major Purebred Arabian race in less than two weeks, having also been successful in the Qatar Derby at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club on Christmas Eve aboard Al Majh’hoor.
“We always felt that he [Naseem] wanted further and the strong pace set by TM Super Bird and Areem obviously suited him. I’m absolutely delighted,” added the British rider.
It was a bittersweet victory for Emirati trainer Al Jahouri, who was winning the race for the second successive year, as his fancied runner and 2013 scorer Areem could only finish fifth after appearing to have every chance at the two-furlong pole.
Strong pace
“He was a bit disappointing and clearly did not benefit from the strong pace,” said former endurance champion Al Jahouri.
“But I’m really happy with Naseem’s performance. We’ve always felt that he could deliver at the top level and he has. That was very impressive and he will be aimed at HH The President Cup [G1, Abu Dhabi].
Celebrating the beginning of the Carnival — the multi-million dollar racing extravaganza that incorporates 11 high-quality meetings at Meydan and culminates in the $37.25 million Dubai World Cup meeting on March 29 — were some of the world’s best jockeys, trainers and owners.
There was a whole-hearted sense of pride evident in the parade ring as Dubai World Cup-winning jockey Mickael Barzalona and his Brazilian team-mate Silvestre de Sousa donned the famous royal blue silks of Godolphin, the most successful owner at the event.
