Al Kurdi looks set to continue rise to stardom

Mazin Al Kurdi has enjoyed many a success as a racehorse trainer ever since he first took out a UAE license in 2000, but he is as excited as he's ever been following the emphatic start his runners have made in the lucrative Dubai Racing Carnival.

Syrian-born Al Kurdi was responsible for the training performance of the day at Nad Al Sheba last Thursday when he sent out his eight-year-old State Shinto to win the prestigious Maktoum Challenge.

Significantly, State Shinto's stunning victory in the race which was first run in 1994, capped a commendable three-time for the Millennium 2 Stables handler.

"We've only had him for about three months since he came back from American, but it's unbelievable how well he has come back," said Al Kurdi.

"I knew he had class and would appreciate the drop back in trip after having run over longer distances in America. But I surely was not expecting him to win. Not entirely.

"We were confident going into the race, because we knew State Shinto runs well at this track. But with so many good horses in the field we would have been happy even if he finished in the top three," added Al Kurdi.

"But he has shown that he is still hungry to race and that's wonderful for an eight-year-old. He's fit and healthy and he has the right temperament for a racehorse."

The handler was all praise for his ward who he confirmed will contest the second leg of the challenge in two weeks time, where should he run well, will raise visions of a history-making fourth crack at the Dubai World Cup.

"It's difficult to say at this stage if he has the ability to go for the big one," said Al Kurdi. "But anything in racing is possible."

He currently leads the UAE trainer's championship with 30 wins and going by the form his runners have shown all season, there is ever reason to believe that he has the credentials to land his first ever title.

Al Kurdi's star has risen sharply since his debut year when he sent out just 13 winners from 77 runners. For despite the modest firepower in his yard he was consistently picking up wins that made people take notice of his talent.

By the 2002-2003 season he had made his mark when he enjoyed his best season with 29 winners besides seeing close to 100 of his horses placed. A highlight of the year was the unbelievable success he achieved with the handicapper Estimraar who won five starts among them the first round of the Maktoum Challenge.

By this time Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum became Al Kurdi's chief patron and sent him a clutch of top quality horses to train for the 2003-2004 season.

Al Kurdi has repaid Sheikh Rashid's faith in him with some outstanding success, none more noteworthy than that achieved by State Shinto. In fact all the three Al Kurdi winners, Velte in the Purebred Arabian version of the Maktoum Challenge, and San Salvador carried Sheikh Rashid's colours.

The future is certainly looking bright for the Sheikh Rashid-Al Kurdi partnership.