Nad Al Sheba sets the pace

The Dubai International Racing Carnival was seen by many as the natural progression from the Dubai World Cup meeting, which itself is established as an international event.

In 2003, international trainers were invited to campaign small teams of horses in the UAE, based at the International Stables from where Englishman Marcus Tregoning had trained Nayef to win the 2002 Dubai Sheema Classic.

In 2003, South African Mike de Kock introduced himself to UAE racegoers, and the world, by winning the UAE 2,000 Guineas and Derby with Victory Moon, as well as the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free with Ipi Tombe.

The success of that idea gave birth to the inaugural Carnival in 2004 when De Kock again stole the show – training eight winners from 22 runners, amassing $3,432,000 in the process, and securing himself a $50,000 prize.

The aforementioned Victory Moon was third in the Dubai World Cup, while Lundy’s Liability landed him a second UAE Derby and Right Approach dead-heated in a thrilling Dubai Duty Free with German raider Paolino.

This year, De Kock has continued in a similar vein but it would be foolish to think that international winners are a recent addition to the Nad Al Sheba winner’s podium – there are just a lot more now as a result of the Carnival.

In 2001, Robbie Burke partnered Alan Lam’s Active Bo Bo from Macau, to win the Listed Mahab Al Shimaal, a race dominated by local sprint king Conroy since, until his defeat this year.

The same year saw France’s Hightori win the concluding Group 2 leg of the Maktoum Challenge.

World Cup night has been a happy hunting ground for the international contenders.

The English can boast a Dubai World Cup (1997 Singspiel) and three Sheema Classics (1999 Fruits of Love, 2000 Fantastic Light and 2002 Nayef.)

The French won successive renewals of the Dubai Duty Free with Jim and Tonic (2001) and Terre A Terre (2002), as well as a Kahayla Classic with Magic De Piboul (2001) and last year’s Sheema Classic with Polish Summer.

Paolino’s dead-heat in the DDF last season was a first for Germany, while Japan can boast a sole success courtesy of Stay Gold in the 2001 Sheema Classic.

America has the biggest win tally, unsurprisingly. World Cup wins for Cigar (inaugural 1996 event), Captain Steve (2001), Silver Charm (1998) and Pleasantly Perfect (2004), supplemented by Grey Memo’s Godolphin Mile win in 2002, Big Jag (2000) and Caller One in 2001 and 2002, supplied them with a hat trick of Golden Shaheens and their Our New Recruit won the event last year.

Last year’s Carnival opened new ground with, prior to World Cup night, winners from Macau, the UK, Ireland, France and South Africa.

Host of countries

It is not just the winners though. Countries involved in racing at Nad Al Sheba include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, UK, France, Germany, India, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Macau, Italy, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, Turkey and the US.

Throw in Gulf countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and we have a cosmopolitan mix not seen on any other racecourse in the world.

There’s been a massive international success at this year’s Carnival – the UK has done particularly well, especially on the grass but also with UAE 2,000 Guineas winner Stagelight, Maktoum Challenge II victor Jack Sullivan, who also won the Burj Nahaar, and Marcus Tregoning’s Alkaadhem victorious in the Group 2 Jebel Hatta being obvious examples.

It goes without saying that De Kock leads the way of the individual international trainers with a Maktoum Challenge I, Al Fahidi Fort, Al Rashidiya, Dubai City of Gold and a Balanchine taking pride of place among his wins.

American trainer Jerry Barton, who is based in Saudi Arabia, won the Group 2 Maktoum Challenge III with Argentinian-bred Chiquitin, ridden by Irishman Mick Kinane, to add Saudi Arabia to the roster.

The most pleasing aspect though has been the win of Saudi Arabia’s Chiquitin; Sushi-Bar for Brazil; of Ribella for Turkey; of Lim’s Classic and Terfel for Singapore; Macau’s Change The Grange; Norway’s Damachida and France’s Swedish Shave.

Winners’ roster

Where else in the world could you go racing and on the same night see winners trained in Brazil, Turkey, Singapore, the UK and the UAE on the same card, or for that matter from Macau, South Africa, Norway, France and the UAE on another night. Nowhere is the answer.

America’s Breeders’ Cup, the Japan Cup, the Melbourne Cup, Royal Ascot and the Hong Kong International races attract international competition but they are one-off days or a handful in a week at Ascot.

The Dubai International Racing Carnival is a unique concept that’s been welcomed with open arms by the racing world.

The $25 million prize money undoubtedly helps to attract the competition, as does the climate and it is a great place to ‘winter’ horses as Godolphin have proved over the years.

However, the attraction of the event that is often underestimated is the actual competition and the very international flavour of it.

The Mike de Kocks of this world love going head-to-head with Saeed Bin Suroor and Mazin Al Kurdi comparing methods and cultures. They will hone their skills even further.

Of course, it is not just the people. The horses are international also, in many cases more so. We had seen horses from South Africa long before De Kock landed on these shores, and they performed admirably, with Dancal and Trademark just two to impress in Shaikh Rashid’s colours.

Horses from Argentina have performed with distinction, while we have also seen runners who originate from Peru, Brazil, Japan, Europe and Australasia perform with distinction.

The Dubai International Racing Carnival has certainly seen Nad Al Sheba promote international competition in the Sport of Kings.

The writer is an internationally recognised racing corrrespondent

Just how international have some of the contenders/winners been?

A few examples...
Corriolanus Foaled in Germany, trained by an Englishman and ridden by an Irishman.
Early Assault Foaled in Australia, trained by an American based in the UAE, ridden and owned by Irishmen.
Cherry Pickings Foaled in the US, trained by a Syrian based in the UAE, owned by a UAE national, ridden by an Irishman.
Conroy Foaled in the US, trained by a Sri Lankan based in the UAE, owned by a UAE national, ridden by an Italian.
Sapucai Foaled in Argentina, trained by an Indian based in the UAE, owned by a UAE national, ridden by an Englishman.
Kill Cat Foaled in Ireland, trained by an Italian, owned by an Italian, ridden by a South African.
Terfel Foaled in the UK, trained by an Irishman in Singapore, owned in Singapore, ridden by an Irishman.
Taif Foaled in Saudi Arabia, trained by an American in Saudi Arabia, ridden by an Irishman.
Duque De Enghien Foaled in Peru, trained by an American in Saudi Arabia, ridden by an Irishman.
Qais Foaled in the US, owned and trained locally, ridden by an Australian.
Impaciente Gg Foaled in Uruguay, trained by an Indian in the UAE, owned by a S