Dubai: Doug Watson, who is seeking a third consecutive UAE trainer’s championship, continued to dominate the flat racing season when recording another three-timer at Meydan’s matinee meeting on Saturday.
The American handler, who has been in the UAE since 1993, and currently trains out of the Red Stables in the heart of Dubai, took his tally of wins to 41 for earnings of over Dh7,7 million.
Among his stars of the season is the filly Rayya, an exciting winner of the UAE Oaks who ranks second on the list of top thoroughbreds in the country following a pair of wins and prize money closing on Dh1m.
Watson’s big win on Saturday was delivered by Dehbashi, who upstaged stable companion Grand Argentier in the 2,000m Mina Rashid handicap, one of eight races on a domestic card.
The trainer also won the Mina Hamriya, a 1,600m dirt handicap, with the 8-year-old Moosir and Hamdan Bin Mohammad Cruise Terminal handicap over 2000m on dirt. The race was won in dominating fashion by Sheeba.
Ex-American, Call to War, helped Jebel Ali Stables handler Gopi Selvaratnam put his name on the winner’s board when posting an impressive victory in the Jebel Ali Port, a 1200m dirt handicap.
The winner was partnered confidently by Brett Doyle, who in his twitter profile describes himself as a ‘jockey by trade, Chelsea fan by choice.’
Newmarket-born Doyle was UAE champion jockey over 20 years ago.
