(MENAFN-Khaleej Times) horses which have descended from japan and hong kong have dominated four group ones out of the five big events of the 19th edition of the world?s richest horse racing day
This included three of the four turf contests besides one of the major other four races on the tapeta. it was marvelous performance that must not go unnoticed.
Rabbah de carrere (france) ridden by oliver peslier wins the dubai kahayla classic during the dubai world cup at meydan racecourse on saturday. — kt photo by juidin bernarrd
Furthermore the uae horses claimed the top three positions of the $10m dubai world cup gr-1 an achievement which happens for the second time in the history of the competition. the american horses have finished 1-2-3 in the inaugural edition in 1996 with cigar becoming the first horse to lift the trophy.
But to start with uae trainer majid al jahouri has made history after the wathba stables handler saddled rabbah de carrere to earn him his first dubai kahayla classic gr-1 success and ensure the clean sweep of the season’s eight group-1 arabian events in the distinguished colours of shaikh mansour bin zayed al nahyan deputy prime minister and minister of presidential affairs.
Interestingly the first three races were won by horses jumping from stalls 13 and 15 while the japanese mare gentildonna has launched her dubai sheema classic claim from stall 12.
And as it was expected hong kong prevailed in the $1m al qouz sprint (turf) gr-1 and the $2m dubai golden shaheen group-1 while japan walked away with the subsequent couple of races the $5m dubai duty free group-1 and the $5m dubai sheema classic group-1.
Variety club made his mark in the $1m godolphin mile group-2 to fly the south african flag for the first time on the night. this is again a great performance for a turf horse on tapeta.
Top irish stayer certerach gave ireland stayed on to win the $1m dubai gold cup group-3 on track and went on to win the objection in the stewards’ room before country compatriot toast of new york to complete a double for the land of horses in the $2m dubai derby group-2.
Leading international trainer aidan o’brien was double handed in the uae derby a race which he has dominated over the last two years through daddy long legs and lines of battle. giovanni boldini who was second to godolphin’s outstrip in the breeders’ cup juvenile grade-1 was nominated the best turned out horse in the paddock but he did nothing to make his presence felt and finished poor fifth while sir john hawkins was last of all.
Again the breeders’ cup (turf) champion magician showed no magic and was not good enough to retain the $5m dubai sheema classic group-1 title which was landed last year by st nicholas abbey. and gentildonna who was two lengths behind st nicholas abbey in second has moved one better not only to win the race but to smash the record time that has been set by last year’s winner.
In the final race the $10m dubai world cup group-1 o’brien has saddled the epsom derby winner ruler of the world failed to pass the test and the irish maestro returned home empty handed.
Finally did the absence of the american horses was felt by the big crowd which has packed the state-of-the-art venue or did any one feel that the races were less exciting than before? the answer is a big no because the speedy horses from south east asia have bridged the gap and it should be said that the american horses have simply missed the opportunity to be tested against top horses of the world rather than to be said that the sport lovers have missed the thrill of the american horses!
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