With this issue of Racing World we complete our 6th year of publication, covering the exciting world of Equine sport – horse racing, polo and other equestrian events. Having moved into unchartered territory in August 2003, we are happy to have established ourselves in this niche market providing enthusiasts of the sport with comprehensive information, detailed reviews, timely previews, profile interviews, news and views, breeding and pedigree updates, racing statistics and lots of interesting racing information. Polo has been an intrinsic part of Racing World and we have tried to cover as many events as possible during the polo season. Over the past six years we have had writers from around the globe show interest in writing for Racing World and this has added a new dimension with an international perspective. Promoting all aspects of equine sport is our objective and we hope that those connected with the sport will contribute with ideas that will invoke more interest to those already involved with the sport as well as to attract new entrants to the game. We take this opportunity to thank all our supporters, advertisers, subscribers, contributors and the racing fan in general who have supported us this far. As we commence our 7th year of publication we look forward to your continued support.
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INTERNATIONAL RACING : APRIL - MAY 2010
KING DANCERSTAKES CLAIM
TO MERCEDES-BENZ HONG KONG DERBY
English trainer Sean Woods stunned a 85,000 Chinese New Year crowd when his British import King Dancer came from well back in the field to beat the strongly supported Super Satin and ranging favourite Beauty Flash in the Hong Kong Group 2 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial over 1800m at Sha Tin.
Woods said after the race he always had confidence in the son of Danehill Dancer
though early setbacks had made the task of getting him right a little harder.
“It was nice to see him coming through as he had a bit of luck this time,” Woods said. “I have been very confident with this horse from last year, to be honest. Things haven’t gone quite right but we haven’t pushed any buttons because the Derby is a long way from the start of the season.
The big news from USA is that Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta will finally meet in a special race at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas on April 9th. Other fillies will be invited to the $5 million race which could be the first of three between the two superstars. Rachel’s owner Jess Jackson is keen to set up the trio of races, but at press time Jerry Moss of Team Zenyatta had not responded.
In the business side of American racing, it seems to this writer, that the bankruptcy filing of Zayat Stables owned by the flamboyant Ahmed Zayat has been downplayed by the racing press. Zayat did that to protect his 200 strong stable of racehorses being taken over by the Fifth
Third Bank, who were seeking the repayment of over $34 million in loans, with the horses as the collateral. They also contend that Zayat was not paying bills relating to the care and upkeep of the...
The third meeting of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival at Meydan, was highlighted by the Group Three Cape Verdi Stakes, a 1600m turf contest for fillies and mares. It was won by Soneva for trainer Marco Botti with Christophe Soumillon doing the steering.
The jockey said: “She is a nice filly who I used to ride in France. That was a nice performance.”
The second grass race, a 1600m handicap, was won in style by Snaafy under Richard Hills for trainer Musabah Al Muhairi. It was the horse’s first run since the 2009 Dubai World Cup and the horse could have a different big night target this year according to Hills: “He is a much improved horse and that gives us plenty of options...
Both the Godolphin team and South African trainer Mike de Kock were in treble form at Meydan’s second meeting, as the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival introduced turf racing.
The Godolphin trio were headed by Alexandros who won the 1600m Group Three Al Rashidiya, the first turf race on the world’s most modern racecourse, under a delighted Frankie Dettori.
Dettori then partnered their Age of Reason to win the 2800m turf handicap in which he produced the horse to lead right on the line and maintain their unbeaten
record on grass races at Meydan.
Dettori said: “It is a great track (the turf) and I was really impressed with the conditions it is in and especially the sweeping bends. Alexandros likes to get his toe in and he has handled it well. He is a nice horse with some very good form in the book. Hopefully he can improve from that, while Age of Reason is tough.”
Earlier Ted Durcan had initiated Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor’s treble by winning the 1200m Tapeta handicap on Global City who, like Age of Reason, only led on the line.
War Artist was the winner of the featured Al Shindagha Sprint (Gr3) on the fourth night of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival. The 1200m feature looked competitive but once Olivier Peslier kicked his mount, trained by James Eustace, clear just inside the straight, he was never going to be caught.
Saeed bin Suroor and Godolphin won three of the first four races, highlighted by the victory of Siyaadh in the UAE 1000 Guineas. Ahmed Ajtebi was in the saddle on
the filly that was virtually last turning for home in the 1600m classic but flew home to snatch the spoils.
Ajtebi, for whom it was a first classic winner, said: “She really picked up when I asked her and has passed a lot of rivals in the straight. I thought I was going to get there from about 200m out.” The opening 1400m conditions race, the 4Men, was won by the Bin Suroor-trained Mendip who was given a confident ride by Frankie Dettori.
It was the sponsor’s Nirwan who won the opening 2200m Group One Purebred Arabian version of the second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge. Tadhg O’Shea was in the saddle on the Doug Watson-trained Nirwan and the trainer said: “It is great to win these races and we have done well in this race in the past.”
Godolphin have enjoyed a great start to the Carnival and won another feature race when Allybar and Ahmed Ajtebi landed the
Thoroughbred version of the Al Maktoum Challenge Round II, a Group Three contest over 1900m. Settled in rear behind a sedate gallop, Ajtebi took his mount wide turning for home before making smooth progress to lead 200m out. Once in front they were never going to be caught and trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: “He is a horse we like and I imagine we will come back for the third round of the Maktoum Challenge on Super Thursday.”
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