A novel way to start new season
Abu Dhabi has been given the job of kicking off the new season
Abu Dhabi has been given the job of kicking off the new season and I'm sure Mr. Abu Dhabi Racing himself, Pat Buckley, will make sure no stone is left unturned as the Capital's race track hosts the first of its 15 fixtures on Sunday.
Ensuring things get off to a good start the Emirates Racing Authority and Fegentri (international body for amateur riders) have joined forces and invited 12 amateur lady riders to compete in the inaugural running of the Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak IFHRA Cup. Representing the locals is Shathra Al Hajjaj while Khadija Al Bastaki flies the flag for Qatar and Fatima Al Manji will be hoping she can do Oman proud by taking home the Dh78,000 first prize.
Forming part of a nine-race series, nine countries are set to take part with each contest carrying a guaranteed purse of Dh120,000; a record for this type of race.
On the professional jockey front, Richie Mullen returns to his happy hunting ground alongside last season's UAE champ Wayne Smith, Royston Ffrench, and the UK Apprentice title-chasing Harry Bentley who will return to the Emirates after the final day of the British season on November 5. Jamie Spencer also makes a special appearance to ride for Ahmad Al Shaikh this Sunday which will certainly help bring in the crowds! Who says racing is all about the horses?
This is always a very exciting time of the year for trainers and owners as the dream to gain that ‘big win' is still alive, and on Monday I dropped by Ali Rashid Al Raihe's Grandstand Stables and bumped into the stable speedster Happy Dubai who was receiving a well-earned shower after his morning training.
And the chestnut, who currently holds the 1,000m track record on Meydan's turf (57.64 secs), looked in great shape, as did Derbaas, who is being aimed at winning a second Al Fahidi Fort.
Back in the UK, and Godolphin Racing Manager Simon Crisford reported that the Mahmoud Al Zarouni-trained Pimpernel, who was an impressive winner in Listed Company at Newbury on Saturday, will soon board a flight to the Emirates and be targeted towards the UAE 1000 Guineas at Meydan on February 3, 2012. A highly improving filly, she joins a strong team representing the boys in blue which could include Dubai World Cup hope, Dubai Prince, the progressive Colour Vision and staying stalwart, Opinion Poll.
A STABLE BREAKFAST
If you've always wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the racing stables of Dubai, well you need wonder no more as Dubai Racing Club and The Meydan Hotel have teamed up to offer race fans the ultimate ‘access all areas' experience.
After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, yours truly will take you around the top stables of Dubai and give you the opportunity to meet your favourite racehorses, chat to the trainer and have a good old nosey around the yard before a guided tour of the Meydan Grandstand, jockeys' weighing room and much more! So, if you fancy walking off your egg and beans under the warm winter sun then e-mail: stabletours@meydanhotels.com now.
