Nokdaun wins Emirates Challenge

The record crowd that attended the fifth running of the Emirates Challenge Stakes in Frankfurt yesterday enjoyed an exciting afternoon of Arabian racing despite the miserable wet conditions.

The meeting, sponsored by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, proved a wonderful success for the organisers with the bumper crowd exceeding their expectations.

There was free admission for the racegoers who received complimentary polo shirts and baseball caps compliments of Shadwell Stud. The meeting proved very popular with families who thronged the enclosures in large numbers.

Following persistent rain during most of the day the going changed from good-firm to soft and made conditions testing for the horses.

Unfortunately Sheikh Hamdan had to miss the meeting and missed seeing his representatives Nadjel and Athlas finish third and fourth respectively behind the Danish raider Nokdaun in the feature of the afternoon the Euros15,000 Emirates Challenge Stakes.

There was a dramatic outcome to the event with the winner grabbing the luckless Dutch Derby winner Paradox - whose rider Raymond Chang lost his whip inside the final furlong - close home in the 11-runner event.

Nokdaun was given a fine ride by lady amateur Kim Neilsen who rode a waiting race aboard the Russian-bred horse. The six-year-old in the colours of John and Kristina Anderson stayed on strongly up the centre of the track where the ground was better.

"The plan was to sit off the pace and come late and thankfully it worked out well," said a relieved Neilsen."We were lucky that the rider on the runner-up dropped his whip and this was the difference."

The winner had a spell in the Emirates with Adi Selvartnam last winter but failed to race due to problems with his papers.

Nokdaun could be making a return trip to Dubai if he gets an invite for next year's Dubai Kahayla Classic at Nad Al Sheba revealed Neilsen. He handled the conditions very well but is more effective on dirt his trainer John Anderson reported after the race.

After a ten hour trip from Denmark on Friday, Nokdaun will travel to Belgium for a race next Sunday before returning to Denmark.

There was an exciting outcome to the opening event the Maktoum Challenge Stakes with victory going to Basra under a polished ride from lady rider Nina Bach.

The three-year-old was sent clear inside the final furlong and held the late challenge of the favourite Filou with the long time leader Selena close up in third place.

It was fitting on Emirates Challenge Stake day as Basra is from the second crop of European Champion sprinter Vert Olive who stands at Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell Stud in Newmarket.

Results:

Maktoum Challenge Stakes - 1600m
1. Basra - Nina Bach
2. Filou - R. Chang
3. Selena - F. Lespingal
Winning Trainer: I. Schalter. Winning Owner: H. Lorenz
Distances: 1L; 1/2L. Time: 1-56.46. Six ran.

Dubai National Classic - 2450m
1. Al Shahjahr - Alexander Weiss
2. Maxim - I. Werron
3. Inschalla - P. Roberts
Winning Trainer: W. Wernet. Winning Owner: Haras de Fabulous Eden
Distances: 4L; 4L. Time: 2-56.82. Six ran.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Triple Competition - 2150m
1. Mimosa - Angela Kull-Hohn
2. Romanoy - G. Scholz
3. Neyrah El Samawi - P. Roberts
Winning Trainer: W. Himmel. Winning Owner: H. Erbprinz zu Furstenberg
Distances: 1/2L; 4L. Time: 2-37.39. Seven ran.

Emirates Challenge Stakes - 2150m
1. Nokdaun - K. Nielsen
2. Paradox - R. Chang
3. Nadjel - E. Jones
Winning Trainer: J. Anderson. Winning Owner: K & J. Anderson
Distances: Hd; 4L. Time: 2-33.51. 11 Ran.

Shadwell International Cup - 1600m
1. Voile Koassak - R. Chang
2. Lucens - Gary Hind
3. Au Vol Del Sol - P. Roberts
Winning Trainer: H. Otermans. Winning Owner: H. Otermans.
Distances: 41/2L; 2L. Time: 1-50.44

Emirates Breeders Society Trophy - 1600m
1. Rahab El Nile - F. Chedotal
2. Jalic Shaklan - I. Werron
3. Amor - S. Renz
Winning Trainer: M. Hamblett. Winning Owner: M. Hamblett.
Distances: 1 3/4L; Neck. Time: 1-54.15