Dubai Day Meeting July 2006
By Paul Simmons

Majd Al Arab
The Shadwell Dubai International Stakes Group 1 over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs.

Dubai Day 2006 was, yet again, a resounding success with over 14,000 people in attendance at Newbury racecourse to watch some of the finest Arabian racing in Europe. The Tote reported a turnover of over £118,000 and the crowd were treated to some superb racing finishes, proving that Arabian racing is every bit as good as its Thoroughbred counterpart.

The Dubai Immigration Premier Handicap Stakes 0-75 over 7 Furlongs:
1. Almost All Ricard Kingscote
2. Rajjaf Mr H Haynes
3. Rampart James Doyle
4. Mustameet T P Queally

Distances: 2½, 1, 3½. 24 ran. Time: 01:38:76.

Winner owned by Miss L A Cross. Trained by Miss S L Davison. Bred by Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rasihd Al Maktoum.

Probably one of the most competitive handicaps of the season with Benha, Khulan, Mustameet and Olivphaya all showing early speed. At the three furlong marker, Khulan was leading the field down the strait but Almost All, Rampart and Rajjaf were all stalking in behind. Inside the final two furlongs, 14/1 shot Almost All (Bengali D’Albret x Emotsia) made his move under a confident ride from Richard Kingscote. Grabbing the stands rail and quickening clear of the field in the final furlong, Almost All won, going away at the line by two-and-a-half-lengths to give trainer Sam Davison her biggest career win to date. Speaking afterwards, Sam commented: “I am so pleased he won for his owner, Linda Cross, who has been very patient with him.” Almost All had been off the track for a year and to bring him back to win this race on his seasonal debut is quite an achievement. Rajjaf (Passem Lotois x Saltiki), from Bill Smith’s yard, was sent off at 40/1 but ran his best race to date under an inspired ride from Harry Haynes. Always travelling well, he made his move inside the final furlong and fought out the finish with Rampart just prevailing in the final strides to claim second. Rampart (Bengali D’Albret x WMA Rachael), also from the Davison stable, came with a determined effort inside the two furlong marker and was staying on at the finish and lost nothing in defeat, coming clear of Mustameet (Vert Olive x Mandolines Song).

Zormania R Hills

The Jumeirah International Stakes Group 2 over 7 Furlongs (3 yrs only):
1. Zormania R Hills
2. Dandyna Charles Nora
3. Yaasah Richard Mullen

Distances: 5, 9. 7 ran. Time: 01:39:57.

Winner owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained by M F Roaut. Bred by Mr J Biraben.

They were smartly away from the stalls with French runner and favourite Zormania showing early speed with Djak Sprat and Yaasah all handy. From the three furlong marker, Zormania went to the front under a positive ride from Richard Hill’s with CS Charma and Dandyna in her slip stream. Zormania (Dormane x Diraia) unleashed a blinding turn of foot in the final furlong to stretch clear by an easy five lengths at the line, making the field look very ordinary; this is a very classy filly with a big future. Dandyna (Al Sakbe x Danzina) seemed to struggle to go the early pace. During the final two furlongs, her stamina kicked and she stretched clear of the rest to secure a comfortable second but had no chance with the winner. Yaasah (Makzan x Tikis Tiffany) wasn’t disgraced on her racecourse debut in such a hot event. She travelled well and ran on well in the final furlong but was another nine lengths back in third and will be sharper for the run.

The NBD Hatta International Stakes Group 1 over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs (Mares only):
1. Mizzna F X Bertras
2. Ouassila Thabet T Huet
3. Udjidor De Bozouls Carles Nora

Distances: 1, ½. 4 ran. Time: 02:19:35.

Winner owned by and bred by Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed. Trained by M. F Rohaut.

A small but select field of contenders for this the Mares Championship. Last year’s winner Udjidor De Bozouls led from the start with Ouassila Thabet in her slip stream while Mizzna and Lamasat settled in behind. From the home strait French raider Mizzna (Akbar x Uncained Melody) was soon in command, taking the lead inside the final two furlongs and showing a blinding turn of foot to quicken away from Ouassila Thabet and Udjidor De Bozouls. Mizzna won quite cosily by a length at the line from Ouassila Thabet (Akbar x Harka), while last year’s winner, Udjidor De Bozouls (Dormane x Udjella), seemed to be caught flat-footed but stayed on for third.

Majd Al Arab leads the procession

The Shadwell Dubai International Stakes Group 1 over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
1. Majd Al Arab D Bouland
2. Santal F X Bertras
3. Arsene Rupin R Hills

Distances: 2, 5. 6 ran. No time recorded

Winner owned and bred by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani. Trained by M A De Mieulle.

A useful field and former champion-stayer CS Al Wahed made sure the field went a good gallop, leading from the start until they headed inside the final six furlongs. Last year’s Derby winner Arsene Rupin made his move inside the three-furlong marker with Santhal and Mistral Del Sol chasing in behind and with 5/4 joint-favourite Majd Al Arab seemingly outpaced. Inside the final two furlongs, Majd Al Arab (Amer x Djelmila) came from nowhere under an inspired ride from David Bouland. He cut through the field, showing a devastating turn of foot to gallop clear in the final furlong to win by an easy two lengths. This impressive-looking colt is out of Group 1 parents and he has clearly inherited their turn of foot and seems to be improving with every run; he covered the final furlong in 32mph, which is extremely impressive for an Arab. Santhal (Djebbel x Marau) was chasing all the way to the line but simply couldn’t live with the winner. He remains progressive and was five lengths clear of other joint-favourite, Arsene Rupin (Dormane x Djelsomina), who seemed to struggle to go the pace in the final furlong and was a shade disappointing.

Dahess wins the Zaabeel for 2nd year.

The Dubai Properties Zaabeel International Stakes Group 1 over 6 Furlongs:
1. Dahess D Bouland
2. Mahaabb F X Bertras
3. Dormah De Brugere Jimmy Quinn

Distances: 5, 2 ½. 7 ran. Time: 01:20:84.

Winner owned and bred by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani. Trained by M A De Mieulle.

The sprint championship and last year’s winner, Dahess, was sent off 4/6 favourite. They were quickly out of the stalls with last year’s second-placed Mahaab showing early speed along with Dahess and Bengalant. With three furlongs to go, Mahaab was still in the lead with Dormah De Brugere hard ridden in second and off the bridle while Dahess stalking menacingly in behind. From the two furlong marker, Mahaab was all out with Dahess (Amer x Danie du Cassou) cruising in behind before David Bouland unleashed his run, allowing Dahess to utilise his blistering speed. He came home with an easy five lengths to spare, giving owner and breeder Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani his second Group 1 winner of the day. Dahess once again proved he is the finest sprinter in Europe and it is hard not to picture him completing a hatrick next year. Mahaab (Tahar De Candelon x Joyzell) was second again, running on hard at the end but having no chance with the winner. Dormah (Dormane x Ballade Folle) is as tough as teak; she was off the bridle with two furlongs to go but wouldn’t quit and stayed on to take third at the line and remains impressively consistent.

No Risk Al Maury

The Jebel Ali Racing Club Premier Handicap Stakes 0-105 over 1 Mile 5 Furlongs:
1. No Risk Al Maury R Hills
2. Deolali Mr S Harrison
3. Fripon Al Maury Mr H Haynes

Distances: 2 ½, ¾. 10 ran. Time: 03:07:73.

Winner owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained by Mrs Duffield. Bred by Shadwell Estate Co Ltd.

A tough staying handicap and Merlin De Carrere made sure it was a true test of stamina, leading from the start with CS Khamsin, Mack The Knife and CS Khan held up behind. Mack The Knife took over from the seven furlong marker before succumbing to CS Khan with four furlongs to run. The 7/4 favourite, No Risk Al Maury, was cruising in behind, with Deolali and Fripon Al Maury travelling well. Richard Hills made his move on No Risk Al Maury (Kesberoy x Nectarine Al Maury) inside the final furlong to come home easily, with just under three lengths to spare to give Gill Duffield her first winner of the meeting. Deolali (Khairoaun x Operetta) ran a career best in second, chasing the winner all the way inside the last two furlongs; he is clearly back on form and looks capable of landing a big prize this year. Fripon Al Maury (Djouras Tu x Fayoum) was temporarily outpaced but stayed on in the final furlong to claim third ahead of Aljawza.

Markoom

The Emirates Airline Handicap Stakes 0-90 over 1 Mile:
1. Markoom Mr P Collington
2. Jelvita Mr D Burton
3. Kaich Mr M Wall
4. Aljaareh Mr M Smith

Distances: ¾, neck, 1 ¾. 16 ran. Time: 01:53:83.

Winner owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained by Mrs Duffield. Bred by Shadwell Estate Co Ltd.

Another tough handicap run over a mile with Maksun Angel, WFA Leopard and Jelvita cutting out the early running. From the two furlong marker, Jelvita went on with Tash Reefat, Za’eemah and Final Fling all handy. With two furlongs to run, Jelvita had set sail for home with Markoom and Kaich in hot pursuit. Inside the final furlong, all three were in a line having gone clear of Aljaareh. But in the end Phil Collington, who was celebrating becoming a father for the first time that week, took the stands rail with 5/1 shot Markoom (Bengali D’Albret x Simooma) to give Gill Duffield her second winner of the meeting and HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum his third. Jelvita (Njewman x Vite Amin) ran a superb race in second, chasing the winner all the way to the line. Kaich (Khairoaun x Aicha Croixnoire) lost nothing in defeat, racing down the far rail he rallied hard in the closing stages but was only a neck back in third ahead of fourth-placed Aljaareh (Khairouan x Bisbille).