Duffield backs Madjani for Cup success despite loss to Dynamite

Abu Dhabi: Madjani, considered one of the best Purebred Arabian horses currently racing, lost the Dh1 million HH the President's Cup (Group 1) on Sunday to Dynamite by a short head, but that defeat does not seem to worry trainer Gillian Duffield much.

Owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finance and Industry, Madjani has won the President's Cup twice and also the Kahayla Classic three times on Dubai World Cup night and a fourth successive win in the premier Purebred Arabian race is on the map.

"He is absolutely fine and he ran a very good race. Dynamite got his neck in front but Madjani was running for the first time since the Kahayla win in March. Racing fitness is a big plus and some of the other horses in the fray had four races under their belts," said Duffield, who was last season's top Purebred Arabian trainer.

Dynamite - who became the first locally-bred horse to win the President's Cup and also hand Madjani his first-ever defeat on turf - caught the eye of Duffield.

"He ran very well and the better horse won on the day," she remarked.

But Duffield, who has been the most successful trainer in the Kahayla Classic, said: "Madjani has not lost anything in defeat. He will come on good from that ride."

Commenting on his next target, Duffield hinted that the Maktoum Challenge would be his next race. "We will have to wait and see. Perhaps the Maktoum Challenge and then the Kahayla. But it is the Kahayla that we are aiming for."

"He has an outstanding chance of winning it. He ran a great race on Sunday and on that form I think he will win the Kahayla," said Duffield.

The Kahayla Classic is the only race for Purebred Arabians on Dubai World Cup night and the partnership of owner Shaikh Hamdan, Duffield and jockey Richard Hills have won the last four editions of the $250,000 (Dh950,000) Group 1 race.