ARABIAN RACING 2004
BY PAUL SIMMONS

EAU ROYAL
Winning the Dubai International
Owned by H H Sheik Hamdan Bin R Al Maktoum, trained by Mrs G Duffield, ridden by W Supple.
Dubai Day 18th July
Newbury Racecourse

Track: Good to Firm

The Emirates Breeders Society Premier Handicap Stakes (0-75) 7 Furlongs:
1. The Vertuous Crusader Mr. D Turner
2. Miss Moncrieff Mr. S Harrison
3. Bibi Royale Mr. M Smith
4. Izaak L. Treadwell

Distances: 1, 2 1/2 , 4 20 ran Time: 01:40:30

Winner owned by Mr. John Cook. Trained by Mr. A J Brunton. Bred by Mrs. L Humphrey.

The first seven furlong handicap was as predicted run at a breakneck pace, with the market leaders all showing up prominently and the massively gambled upon The Vertuous Crusader (Vert Olive X Crusaders Spirit (Sky Crusader)) all was handily placed throughout. He was produced to lead inside the final furlong and hard ridden to just hold from the fast finishing Miss Moncrieff (Makzan X Zeinah (Samsheik)) . The latter ran a storming race on her first start for Tony Brunton and came with a strong late run in the final furlong and went down by an honourable length. Whilst the third Bibi Royale (Abitibi X Chaldensford Royal Independent) held onto third after traveling comfortably throughout, he was staying on at the finish and lost nothing in defeat. Izaak (Izentespeshal X Milicent (Sha’Baan))ran on well for fourth and showed a return to form under top weight.

The Jumeirah International Stakes (Group 2) – 3 yrs old only- 7 Furlongs:
1. Aljard R Hills
2. Circuit Chaser Mr S Walker
3. Danjani Mr. P Deymonaz

Distances: 9, 4 6 ran Time: 01:40:30

Winner owned by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin R Al Maktoum. Trained by Mrs. G Duffield. Bred by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.

The Jumeriah Stakes for three year olds was led from the start by the American import Circuit Chaser who led the field at a fair clip from the break, and was slowly upping the tempo from the half way stage. Aljard (Vert Olive X Ester Du Paon (Cheri Bibi)) came from mid field to lead in the final furlong and a half and gradually pulled right away from the long time leader showing a smart turn of foot to win by an easy nine lengths, this was an impressive performance and this colt looks to be force to reckon with in the juvenile events this season. Circuit Chaser (Virgule Al Maury X Miss Pfast Track (Pfast Track)) made a promising debut but did all the donkey work and perhaps too much use was made of him, he tired rapidly in the final furlong but was still four lengths clear of the third, he should come on for this tough debut but would have to improve considerably to turn the tables on the winner. Danjani (Tidjani X Russian Dancer (Dantist)) was outpaced and a little green in the early stages but ran on purposefully in the final furlong and was clear of the rest of the field, he looks to want further and will be sharper next time out.

The Hatta International Mares Stakes (Group 1) Mares Only 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
1. CS Camellia R Thomas
2. Dormah De Brugere Mr. P Deymonaz
3. Kolver Mr. S Walker

Distances: short head, head 9 ran Time: 02:25:42

Winner owned and bred by Mr. D Brunton. Trained by Mr. A J Brunton.

The Hatta Mares Stakes was a wide open but competitive affair on paper but produced a blanket finish featuring three very smart fillies. Dormah De Brugere was sent off favourite but once again did herself no favours by jumping slowly out of the stalls. CS Kabira led the field at a decent clip and was forcing the pace in the final three furlongs, but was swamped by her elder sibling CS Camellia who came with a strong charge in the final two furlongs and gamely battled on with Dormah De Brugere to forge clear of the pack, only Kolver was close who came with a wet sail in the final furlong and she made up the trio involved in the blanket finish. CS Camellia (Bengali D’Albret X Ciarosa (Ciato)) held on by a short head from the gutsy Dormah De Brugere, both look incredibly smart and CS Camellia who has always won her races easily with her ears pricked really rallied hard here and showed a gusty attitude to battle back and score from the second, she fulfilled a ten year dream harboured by owner/ breeder Michael Brunton who was last years Champion owner and has now bred and owned a Group 1 winner, the dam is a straight Spanish half sister to World Champion Poseur. Dormah De Brugere (Dormane X Ballade Folle (Djelfor)) fought like a lion in the final furlong but couldn’t get past the impressive winner, she remains a classy filly. Kolver (Vert Olive X Kenithra (Djouras Tu)) came from nowhere in the final furlong with a lightening charge down the center of the track, she was beaten into third by less than neck; she has a smart turn of foot and is definitely capable of landing a Group race based on this effort.

The Dubai International Stakes (Group 1) 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
1. Eau Royal W Supple
2. Juma E Ahern
3. Azhar Verge C Lowther

Distances: 5, 1 ¼ 9 ran Time: 02:19:77

Winner owned by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin R Al Maktoum. Trained by Mrs. G Duffield. Bred by EARL du Moulin, M W Orban.

Have Fun was sent of the heavily backed favourite in the Dubai International to atone for his defeat last year at the hands of Djourdan, he was Richard Hills mount and all seemed confident. Have Fun jumped off and into the lead from the start and set a decent pace, he was increasing the pace from the final bend but was soon hard ridden and Eau Royal (Djel Bon X Wednah) Sheikh Hamdan’s second string was already stalking ominously. He hit the front in the final furlong and scored readily showing a blinding turn of foot to quicken clear in impressive style, he looked good at Huntingdon but winning his first Dubai here he looked awesome. Juma (Sambist X Jerba Du Paon) was unconsidered in the betting as it was believed he needed a stiffer test of stamina, but this gutsy stallion was always prominent and followed the winner through in the final furlong and was staying on at the finish and although a soundly beaten five lengths back in second he ran a blinder and is clearly capable of landing more Group races this season. The French raider Azhar Vege (Octavius X Almad) was a further length and a quarter back in third and was finishing strongest of the rest but looked a little tapped for toe. Have Fun the hot favourite faded tamely in the final two furlongs and something was clearly amiss.

The Zabeel International Stakes (Group 1) 6 Furlongs:
1. Nizam D Bouland
2. Djoumis De Leyre M Fenton
3. Onassis II C Lowther

Distances: 5, 1 ¼ 14 ran Time: 01:21:27

Winner owned and bred by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin K Al Thani. Trained by M.A. De Mieulle (FR).

The Zabeel Stakes was run at a breakneck speed from the start and the heavily backed favourite Nizam was always up with the pace but seemed penned in during the first three furlongs. Seeing daylight this Nizam quickened up with an impressive turn of foot in the final furlong, he was chased all the way by the fast finishing Djoumis De Leyre who gave the favourite a fright in the dieing strides and made him pull out all the stops and but he still won by a fast diminishing neck at the line. Nizam (Amer X Nerva Du Cassou (Baroud III)) has won a vast array of titles in Abu Dhabi including the Presidents Cup, his sire Amer has sired several winners of this race notably Al Anood and Mutabahi and all of Sheikh Abdullah Bin K Al Thani’s runners at Newbury are to be feared as they have such a high success rate, Nizam looks classy and beat a useful field here in devastating style to show that he is still improving. Djoumis De Leyre (Tidjani X Zina De Perron (Maliknoa)) ran a blinder in second after being prominent throughout, he came with a late charge in the final furlong but the winner had already gone for home, he was gaining with every stride at the line and was a shade unlucky. The Belgium raider Onassis II (Dormane X Baska (Markema)) was four lengths back in third and was keeping on in the last furlong but seemed to get going a bit late.

The Deira Handicap Stakes (0-90) 1 Mile 5 Furlongs:
1. CS Clarion Mr. P Collington
2. Pavots Dreamboy Miss E-J Jones
3. Muqdam Mr. P Deymonaz
4. Djelai Miss J Buckley

Distances: 1 ¼, 1 ¾, 1 ½ 17 ran Time: 03:16:24

Winner owned by Mrs. J K Farr. Trained by Mr. G Farr. Bred by Mr. M D Brunton.

The Deira Handicap Stakes was a typical testing affair with WFA Promotion and Midnite Dream helping to force the pace. CS Clarion (Chndaka X Cikada (Klarnet)) always seemed to be traveling smoothly under Phil Collington and was brought with a well timed ride in the final furlong to lead and got up in the final half furlong to collar Pavots Dreamboy (Pavot Al Maury X Autumn Dream (Autumn Royal)) by a length and a quarter, he fought hard in the final strides and scored readily under his big weight. Pavots Dreamboy was always well placed and came with his challenge in the final two furlongs but perhaps hit the front too soon and was then anchored by the weight, he seems to be returning to form and his turn isn’t far away. Muqdam (NF Bolt X WF Wiktoria (Wiking)) ran another fine race in third, prominent throughout he came with his run in the final furlong and was staying on at the finish and went down gallantly by a length and a quarter. Djelai (Djel Bon X Danaide Al Maury (Baroud III)) stayed on dourly in the closing stages and he seems to be running into form.

The Easter Panic International Stakes (Anglo & PBA) 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
1. L’Escalou Mr. S A Walker
2. Ardente Sauvage P Makin
3. Faer Soar Miss E-J Jones

Distances: 1 ¼, 7 6 ran Time: 02:18:63

Winner owned by Mr. D Brunton. Trained by Mr. W Smith. Bred by Mme M Gaillard.

L’Escalou (Big John X L’Escale (Roseau D’Or)) landed his third Easter Panic International race with another power packed performance which saw him bolt home under another well timed ride from Simon Walker. Faer Soar and Ardente Sauvage led the field from the start and although L’Escalou was stalking he had to work hard to get past the front two, he went for home two furlongs out with Ardente Sauvage in hot pursuit; and although L’Escalou set off for home in the final furlong with his characteristic turn of foot he had to work hard to repel the late thrust of Ardente Sauvage (Feu Ardent X L’Eau Sauvage)who ran a cracker of a race to finish within a length of the winner. L’Escalou is still the champion but Ardente Sauvage is only four and could be improving, she battled on relentlessly in the final furlong and it will be interesting to see these two meet again over a mile. Faer Soar (Out Of Hand X Easter Panic (Panco)) set the pace and plugged on for third in the final furlong but was clear of the rest, whilst not in the same league as the first two he is a consistent performer.