Racing ahead year on year

The Dubai International Racing Carnival that began on January 19 culminates in the 11th running of the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse today.

It is fitting that, under the fiercely bright lights of Nad Al Sheba, a multinational mix of horses, trainers, jockeys and owners competed for some of the richest purses on offer in the exhilarating world of flat racing.

Saeed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Dubai Racing Club, said, "It is very exciting to see the number of international contenders that took up the challenge and came to Dubai for the Carnival.

"It was not just the numbers, but the quality of horses. During the Carnival, Dubai was the focus of anyone who was interested in horse racing, no matter where he was.

"The Carnival has grown, in just three years, and has now established itself as one of the major racing events on the international racing calendar," he added.

"The eyes of the horse racing world will be focused on Dubai as we build up to the world's richest race meeting, the Dubai World Cup."

Global acclaim

The Dubai International Racing Carnival encompassed 11 race meetings at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse that began on January 19 and will culminate today, at the $21.25 million (about Dh78.05 million) Dubai World Cup programme.

Such has been the success of the Dubai International Racing Carnival that seven races were held in higher status this year, the most notable being the rise from Group 3 to Group 2 of the Al Fahidi Fort on February 23, which was won by South African raider Linngari.

With the increase in status also came a rise in prize-money with the 1,600-metre turf race that was now worth $250,000 (about Dh918,150).

The Al Shindagha Sprint, won in dashing style by Brazil's Heart Alone, and Burj Nahaar that was won by the locally-trained Marbush, were promoted from Listed to Group 3 status, while the UAE Oaks, UAE 1000 Guineas, Cape Verdi and Balanchine were all run as Listed races.

The internationalisation of horse racing has taken a giant leap forward with the success of the Dubai International Racing Carnival, the two-month event associated with massive prize money and generous incentives. It was designed to entice leading owners and trainers from around the world to Dubai for an unprecedented series of international competition, and it succeeded.

More than 200 horses from 17 countries representing more than 100 international trainers challenged for the $31million offer in prize money at the 2006 Dubai International Racing Carnival that concluded with the UAE Oaks meeting on March 9.

Major arena

When the Carnival was first introduced in 2004, Fin Powrie, Director of Racing, Emirates Racing Association, said he was confident global horse racing would only benefit from the concept. "Horse racing is currently in the international era and every major racing centre around the world now has an event that attracts horses from abroad," he said.

"His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, felt the time was right to build on the success of our Dubai World Cup meeting and expand on it by inviting trainers and owners from around the world to enjoy racing in Dubai, not just for one meeting, but for several," Powrie said.

Now three years on, nobody needs to be invited to the Carnival. Owners, trainers and jockeys are queuing up to get on board a flight to Dubai.

Among the stars of the Carnival were horses such as Linngari, Oracle West, Imperial Ice, Marbush, Tropical Star, Electrocutionist, Punch Punch, Tyson, Vague, Seihali, Blatant, Clinet, Obe Gold, Montgomery's Arch, Azarole, Gold For Sale, Touch Of Land and Rock Music.

Ted Durcan and Mike de Kock repeated their efforts of 2004 when taking the honours in the race for the leading jockey and trainer at the Carnival.

With the Dubai World Cup meeting not included in the Carnival lists, Durcan's nine wins and De Kock's 10 were enough to top their respective standings.

Durcan's nine wins were two ahead of Kevin Shea, while De Kock's 10 wins - from just 42 runners - was one more than Doug Watson and two more than Alec Laird.

Vague gave jockey Michael Kinane the easiest of wins in the Gulf News-sponsored $250,000 UAE 1000 Guineas (Listed) on February 16.

Trained by Jeremy Noseda in England, Vague was always going well and put her head in front early in the straight going clear 400 metres from home.

Montgomery's Arch came with a late run under Kinane to give Noseda his first win of the evening and his second Carnival in the $110,000 Tabloid Cup over 1,200 metres on the turf.

Irish pop star Ronan Keating was at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse to watch his friend Frankie Dettori partner Rock Music in a pillar-to-post victory in the $110,000 Aquarius Cup over 1,400 metres on the same evening.

Obe Gold won twice for trainer Mick Channon at the Carnival while Punch Punch gave the Brazilians at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse something to shout about when he landed two surprise wins in $110,000 races.

Saudi Arabia's Gold For Sale, one of the stars at the Carnival, kept up his unbeaten record when coming from nowhere to win the UAE 2000 Guineas (Group 3) on the fifth day of the Carnival.

Trained in Saudi Arabia by Ian Jory and ridden by Michael Kinane, Gold For Sale completed Guineas wins in both hemispheres, following his four-length victory in the Argentinean 200 Guineas last time out.

Gold For Sale was towards the rear as the field turned for home with the Richard Hills-partnered Unification setting the pace. My Royal Captain, the mount of Johnny Murtagh, led briefly from the 350 metres out with Where's That Tiger, Weichong Marwing up, taking the lead at the 200 metres post.

Gold For Sale came from the middle of the pack down the centre of the track to get up five strides from home, crossing the line half a length from Where's That Tiger.

"I don't think he will have a problem with the step up to the Derby distance (on Dubai World Cup day)," said Jory.

Bahiano gave trainer Clive Brittain his third win at the Carnival when landing the $110,000 Stakes race over 1,300 metres.

Sabirli, the mount of Halis Karatas and trained by Cemal Kurt, flew the flag for Turkey when landing a $120,000 race.

Tyson made it two wins from two runs for Mike de Kock. "The major plan with him is the Dubai Duty Free, which is why we dropped him back (in distance) tonight. I thought this was the best horse in South Africa," said De Kock after the race.

"He's defied a seven-pound penalty but the most impressive thing about the horse is that he has gone a slow pace in the last two races and that is not his game."

TEAMWORK
Winners all!

- 1996 Cigar, ridden by Jerry Bailey and trained by Bill Mott

- 1997 Singspiel, ridden by Jerry Bailey and trained by Sir Michael Stoute

- 1998 Silver Charm, ridden by Gary Stevens and trained by Bob Baffert

- 1999 Almutawakel, ridden by Richard Hills and trained by Saeed Bin Surour

- 2000 Dubai Millennium, ridden by Frankie Dettori and trained by Saeed Bin Surour

- 2001 Captain Steve, ridden by Jerry Bailey and trained by Bob Baffert

- 2002 Street Cry, ridden by Jerry Bailey and trained by Saeed Bin Surour

- 2003 Moon Ballad, ridden by Frankie Dettori and trained by Saeed Bin Surour

- 2004 Pleasantly Perfect, ridden by Alex Solis and trained by Richard Mandella

- 2005 Roses in May, ridden by John Velazquez and trained by Dale Romans