Rabbah de Carrere wins the Dubai Kahayla Classic sponsored by Emaar.
Credit: Andrew Watkins

Ali Al Jahouri and Majed Al Jahouri accept the trophy for the Dubai Kahayla Classic from Mr. Robert Booth,
CEO – Real Estate, Emaar Properties PJSC
(Credit: Dubai Racing Club // Andrew Watkins)

Clean Sweep for Abu Dhabi Trainer Majed Al Jahouri

Quotes for the US$250,000 Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic sponsored by Emaar

By winning the Dubai Kahyala Classic, sponsored by EMAAR, the opening race on Dubai World Cup night, Rabbah de Carrere (FR) ensured that his trainer Majed Al Jahouri made it a clean sweep of Group 1 PA races in the UAE this season....read more

Olivier Peslier (jockey, Rabbah De Carrere (FR), 1st) – Coming out of stall 15 was not ideal.  I was a little afraid because he hangs to the left and it’s useless with him, so I stayed where I was and followed Chrsitophe (Soumillion) the gap came at the right time and he quickened well.”

Christophe Lemaire (jockey, Djainka Des Forger (FR), 2nd) – “I thought she might win, because every time she was attacked she responded well, but unfortunately we had to lead a long way and did the hard work. But she still ran a great race, and the winner is a very good horse.”

Kieren Fallon (jockey, Musharab (FR), 3rd) – “They went slow and mine is a lazy horse so he has given me a good workout to start the night! My horse did stay on well at the end. I was following the winner at one stage and didn’t think he would get the gaps but he did, although my horse did stay on well.”

Silvestre De Sousa (jockey, Raaziq (FR), 4th) – “The race came back too quick for him. He just ran three week ago. He ran good.”

Carlos Sandoval (jockey, Manan (US), 5th) – “He’s a lazy horse. He had no room at the top of the straight and he ran on OK.”

Variety Club’s front-running effort landed the Group 2 Godolphin Mile for trainer, Joey Ramsden.
CR: Andrew Watkins

SOUTH AFRICA’S SUPERSTAR THWARTS SOFT FALLING RAIN’S DOUBLE BID

South Africa’s two time horse of the year, Variety Club overcame a difficult post position in gate 15 of 16 to run out the winner of the Group 2 US$ 1million Godolphin Mile sponsored by Meydan Sobha for trainer Joey Ramsden and his jockey Anton Marcus ...read more

Anton Marcus (jockey, Variety Club (SAF), 1st) - “It just means so much to win a big one for them (owners Marcus and Ingrid Jooste).  He overcame the draw (15) pretty economically and pretty effortlessly. It’s Marcus’s first real international exposure but it was big team effort.”

Joey Ramsden (trainer, Variety Club (SAF), 1st) - “To come and compete let alone with is fantastic. This is great for South Africa and Anton gave him a great ride. He got a soft lead and was up there all of the way. This is giving me so much pleasure and it may take a while to sink in.”

Paul Hanagan (jockey, Soft Falling Rain (SAF), 2nd) - “He ran very well and there are no excuses to be second to that winner. He has been beaten by a very good horse and the race went exactly as I would have liked it to. He was a good bit better after his prep run last time and may have been even better again with another run behind him.”

Christophe Lemaire (jockey, Flotilla (FR), 3rd) – “It was a real shame that the horses couldn’t take me to the front because they slowed the race down and I had to come on the outside which is very hard to do here but she ran a great race.”

Richard Mullen (jockey, Gold City (IRE), 4th) - “Fantastic! He’s run a career best. He travelled well all the way and I had the run of the race behind Soft Falling Rain. We couldn’t be more pleased.”

Yuichi Fukunaga (jockey, Brightline (JPN), 5th) – “He dwelt out of the gate but took third position after that. He couldn’t show his acceleration in the straight.”

Certerach clings on to claim the G2 Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors. CR: Andrew Watkins

Gold Cup Gleam in Irish Eyes

Irishman Michael Halford and his 6yo gelding Certerach ended fellow trainer Saeed bin Suroor’s record run of having won all five previous Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors contests– but only by a fast-diminishing neck and after a 15-minute stewards inquiry ...read more

Jamie Spencer (jockey, Certerach (IRE), 1st) – “I wasn’t sure we’d won but I heard the commentator say we had, so I took his word for it.  He’s a huge horse. The instructions were to let the horse find his rhythm wherever you’re happy.  They were going slow. The reins were dangling so I knew once we woke him up, he’d have plenty. For a big horse, he’s not stuck to the ground. He quickened well to get to the lead.”

Silvestre De Sousa (jockey, Cavalryman (GB), 2nd) - “He was unlucky – the other horse came across us 200 yards out and it cost us the race.”
NB – De Sousa lodged at objection with stewards against the winner. This was later withdrawn.

Saeed bin Suroor (trainer, Cavalryman (GB), 2nd) - “He was unlucky but he ran well. The trip suits him but he was beaten by a better horse on the night. He tried hard but was unlucky tonight. We will take him back to England now.”

Christophe Soumillon (jockey, Star Empire (SAF), 3rd) – “Christophe Soumillion (Star Empire - 3rd) - This wasn't going fast. Unfortunately I got bumped a few times in the beginning. It was a funny race to ride. My horse gave his best. One more time, he responded. It was a very tight run. The ground is good. There is a little bit of give."

David Simcock (trainer, Moment In Time (IRE), 4th) – “The jockey (Jim Crowley) told me he wished he hadn’t come so soon but she has run a great a race. She was treading water at the end but we’re proud of her.”
 
Tadhg O'Shea (jockey, Ralston Road (IRE), 5th) – ““He ran a huge race. They ran such a pedestrian pace early on, but he finished up good.”

Amber Sky is the winner of the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint empowered by IPIC.
Credit: Andrew Watkins

Amber Sky lives up to the hype in Al Quoz

Amber Sky lived up to his lofty reputation a ball of pure speed by making every yard of the running in the Al Quoz Sprint empowered by IPIC.

The latest sprinting bomb from Hong Kong set a new track record for the Meydan straight 1000m at 56.21 seconds in defeating Ahtoug and Shea Shea by a neck and a head ...read more

Joao Moreira (jockey, Amber Sky (AUS), 1st) – “After winning a race like this, I couldn’t be any better. He’s a fast horse and very easy to ride.  He proved himself worldwide.  He’s a very special horse. I was able to not let him go too fast in the early stages. When I asked him to kick, he just gave me another gear and kept going to the line. Near the line, there were a few horses attacking me but he was just too good for them.”

Charlie Appleby (trainer, Ahtoug (GB), 2nd) - “He has thrived out here and has been so consistent all Carnival. He has improved with each run and we’ll aim towards the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot. He deserves a chance there after that.”

Mickael Barzalona (jockey, Ahtoug (GB), 2nd) - “He ran very well. He has run well here all year and has done so again tonight. I am thrilled with him.”

Christophe Soumillon (jockey, Shea Shea (SAF), 3rd) – “He jumped slow from the gate this time.  The pace was very strong and could get no other position than last. By the time I got him running, the winner had gone.  The winner must be a very good horse to break the track record.

Harry Bentley (jockey, Medicean Man (GB), 4th) – “He ran a super race. I’m delighted. I’ve never gone so fast on a horse in my life. I thought he ran a
blinder. This was his best ever run. I'm over the moon. He hung on gamely."

Jeremy Gask (trainer, Medicean Man (GB), 4th) -“I was delighted with the run. He will now be going to either Singapore or the King’s Stand.” 

Olivier Peslier (jockey, Catcall (FR), 5th) "I'm happy. He finished well and was very competitive, much more than last time."

Sterling City wore down Rich Tapestry to claim Hong Kong’s second victory of the night. Cr: Andrew Watkins

Moore Wins For Hong Kong

In what marked the second consecutive win of the night for Hong Kong and jockey Joao Moreira, the Australian-bred Sterling City wore down a familiar foe in Rich Tapestry to win the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News ...read more

Joao Moreira (jockey, Sterling City (AUS), 1st) – “Last time he ran to his best but he couldn’t handle the surface. When he gets kick back in his face, he comes off the bit. Without kickback in his face, he finishes strong. Once I gave him a clear run he just showed off. He's a very good horse. Rich Tapestry had the experience of racing here before and my horse didn't, but once I got to his outside, I knew my horse was going to kick in. He's lovely and such a pleasure. There is more to come. I dedicate this wife to my family, my wife and two kids.” 

John Moore (trainer, Sterling City (AUS), 1st) – “I didn’t expect it to unfold like that.  He was closer than I thought he’d be, but it is all about the rider.  He is a magician.   I am ecstatic to win here in Dubai, it’s every trainer’s dream. This has been a Team Moore effort as my daughter Caroline is the groom and my son George the work rider. Rich Tapestry’s facile win the other day made me think my fellow had a chance today. The jockey said he didn’t like it early on the all-weather, but once he got him clear, he flew home. It’s one International meeting at a time, but his next target could be the Singapore Krisflyer Sprint in May and then we can think about Ascot.”

Olivier Doleuze, (jockey, Rich Tapestry (IRE), 2nd) – “I got run down by a good horse. I had the trip I wished to have. When I asked him under pressure, he gave me his kick. He travelled very well throughout the race but he went from going very good to full power without it making much difference. He gave me a short burst but then he stopped a little bit after that.”

William Buick (jockey, United Color (USA), 3rd) – “They have gone very fast and he got a little outpaced. He ran on so well, though, and it was the race of his life. I am thrilled for him and his connections.”

Richard Mullen (jockey, Reynaldothewizard (USA), 4th) – “Very disappointed. He was flattened at the start after 10 yards. That cost me a lot of ground and he’s done well to get back in the race and finish fourth. Without that I‘d say he’d have won.”

Paul Hanagan (jockey, Nawwaar (USA), 5th) – “He ran his career best. He has been running well in places like Abu Dhabi, so to finish fifth in a group 1 is great.”

Toast of New York claims the UAE Derby for Jamie Osborne and Jamie Spencer

Toast of New York Earns Cheers in UAE Derby

Bursting down the stretch to the wild cheers of his owner and trainer, Toast of New York upset the $2 million UAE Derby sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group in dominant fashion, prevailing over more highly heralded runners from Coolmore and Godolphin ...read more

Jamie Spencer (jockey, Toast of New York (USA), 1st) – “I’m delighted to get my second winner [of the night]. Michael Buckley is an absolute gentleman. I’m the wrong person to be asking (whether this horse could handle dirt and perhaps run in the Kentucky Derby.)

Richard Hughes (jockey, Asmar (IRE), 2nd) – “He ran a blinder but he got beaten by a very good horse. Turning for home, I was hoping (the winner) couldn’t stay. It was very good run.”

Kieren Fallon (jockey, Emirates Flyer (GB), 3rd) - “He is a tough little horse and it was a messy race for me. I got stuck behind a wall of horses and to be fair he ran on strongly when he got out.”

Ryan Moore (jockey, Giovanni Boldini (USA), 4th) – “He got involved in a bit of a barging match.  By the time we got clear, the winner had flown. He stayed on well.”

Patrick Dobbs (jockey, Cooptado (ARG), 5th) – “I wasn't out of gas. The horse wants (to go) further. It's a little big sharp from around there. It's always tough to make up ground on the Tapeta. Hopefully more ground will help. Next year."

Just A Way smashes the track record as he lands the Dubai Duty Free sponsored by Dubai Duty Free

Just A Way Goes All The Way In Record-Breaking Victory

Just A Way (JPN) unleashed lightning acceleration to win the US$5m Group 1 Dubai Duty Free sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, in the process slicing more than two seconds off the Meydan Racecourse track record for 1800m on turf....read more

Yuichi Fukunaga (jockey, Just a Way (JPN), 1st) – “He didn’t start well and he wanted to take the mid-field position but followed Soumillion’s horse but when I got to the straight, he quickened very well as I thought he would,”

Naosuke Sugai (trainer, Just a Way (JPN), 1st) – “We had two tactics: one was to get in a good position from gate 2 or Plan b was to sit behind in midfield as we did in the Tenno Sho. The jockey went for Plan B and gave him one of the best rides I’ve seen.”

Christophe Soumillon (jockey, Vercingetorix (SAF), 2nd) – “I thought I’d win when we turned for home and I was speechless when the Japanese came flying past me.”

Mike De Kock (trainer, Vercingetorix (SAF), 2nd) – “I thought ours ran a huge race but like everybody else I was left gobsmacked by the winner.  Without him, we would still have broken the track record.

Ryan Moore (jockey, Dank (GB), 3rd) – “I am delighted with her. I was caught in traffic. She finished really well and should have finished second. She’s run a great race first time out in five months.”

Frankie Dettori (jockey, Mshawish (USA), 4th) –  “It was a messy race. Although he ran well, he might have finished a bit closer, if we hadn’t got behind a wall of stopping horses in the straight. He’s a young horse and he’ll improve.”

Anton Marcus (jockey, Anaerobio (ARG), 5th) – “Very good run. I wish I had held on to him a little bit longer because he finds the 1800m a bit too far. He’s a miler.”

Gentildonna claimed the Dubai Sheema Classic presented by Longines

Gentlidonna Puts In Gutsy Performance for
Dubai Sheema Classic Victory

The dual Japan Cup-winning Japanese mare, Gentildonna made up for her unlucky second in this same race last year with a record-breaking win in the Dubai Sheema Classic, presented by Longines (2400m) this time around. She crossed the line in 2:27:25, a length and a half to the good of the French veteran Cirrus Des Aigles and Christophe Soumillon ...read more

Ryan Moore (jockey, Gentildonna (JPN), 1st) – “It is hard to say just how good she is because when she gets there, she doesn’t do a lot but she’s a very tough horse. It’s hard to get to the bottom of her.”

Sei Ishizaka (trainer, Gentildonna (JPN), 1st) – “She’s getting even better. It was a tough race.  Her main target will be a third attempt at the (G1) Japan Cup.  This was her second time and she’s really getting used to being here and I thought she would make it when Ryan (jockey Moore) shifted her to the outside.  I am impressed with her gutsy performance.”

Christophe Soumillon (jockey, Cirrus des Aigles (FR), 2nd) – “He ran a fabulous race. I thought that he was going to win. Even when I saw Gentildonna, I thought she would find it difficult to catch us.  When my horse quickened, he did it really well but (Gentildonna) is an outstanding champion and she beat us easily today.  But I’m happy that he is once again a on the top of his game.”
                                                                                                                               
Andrea Atzeni (jockey, Ambivalent (IRE), 3rd) – “She has ran a blinder and I could not be more pleased with her. She travelled well and then quickened nicely. Turning in I thought I might win but I obviously could not see what was travelling in behind me. She has improved since last year and is unbelievably tough.”

Adrie de Vries (jockey, Empoli (GER), 4th) – “When the horse (Mars) ran off at the first bend, he wiped me out.  He did very well to run on into fourth. Unlucky.”

Joao Moreira (jockey, Dominant (IRE), 5th) – “Joao Moreira -- “Unfortunately, there were a few horses that got into trouble in the first bend in front of me and that got me a little too far back. He ran an enormous race. Looking at what he has done in coming from second or third last to finish fifth, very close to the winner, it was a good run.

Silvestre de Sousa celebrates winning the Group 1 Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates on Godolphin

Saeed bin Suroor accepts the Dubai World Cup (Group 1), from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.  (Credit: Dubai Racing Club // Andrew Watkins)

Silvestre de Sousa
Credit: Andrew Watkins

African Story Writes Fairytale Dubai World Cup
Ending for Godolphin

African Story proved the catalyst for the Meydan grandstand to erupt on Saturday evening as Saeed bin Suroor’s Godolphin runner streaked away with the 19th running of the US$10m Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates.

The trainer was winning the world’s richest race for a sixth time and provided HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with a seventh triumph.

Bin Suroor had failed to lift the trophy since Electrocutionist scored at Nad Al Sheba in 2006 and African Story was the long-standing handler’s first win in the race at the imposing Meydan Racecourse.

Silvestre de Sousa was never worse than second aboard the 7y/o who pulled 2 1/2-lengths clear down the stretch to see off the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned Mukhadram who valiantly tried to make all under Paul Hanagan....read more

Silvestre De Sousa (jockey, African Story (GB), 1st) – “The horse has got very good track form and he’d won the Godolphin Mile here previously.  He traveled so well and quickened great.  It’s so special to win this race.  I’m over the moon.”

Paul Hanagan (jockey, Mukhadram (GB), 2nd) – “I’m very proud of him. It was a tremendous training effort by William (trainer Haggas) to have him run so well after a long layoff.  We went forward. I got a breather into him down the back-straight.  We kicked at the top of the home straight and for a moment I thought we had nicked it but in the end we were beaten by a very good horse on the night.”

Mickael Barzalona (jockey, Cat O'Mountain (USA), 3rd) – “He ran an absolute brilliant race considering where he had to come from. I really think he could have been closer with a better draw but I’m absolutely over the moon with that result.”

Jamie Spencer (jockey, Side Glance (GB), 4th) – “He always ups his game on this surface and he’s run a blinder. We were drawn towards the outside of the field, and realistically we were happy to get place money, which he’s done.”

Gerald Mosse (jockey, Red Cadeaux (GB), 5th) – “I didn’t have an ideal race.  I couldn’t get the position I would have liked to from that draw.  I had to wait. He then produced a fabulous turn of foot. He ran really, really well. He gave me a great, great ride.”