British Jockeys Shine At Meydan As UK Raiders Dominate Dubai Carnival

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) A former British All‐Weather Champion Jockey reached a major personal milestone on a day full of surprises, as fancied runners fell short and the Dubai Racing Carnival's appeal opened up in exciting, multi-dimensional ways.

Amid the drama, birthday boy Pat Dobbs, a regular and much‐loved figure in UAE racing, enjoyed a double dose of success, proving that Meydan Racecourse is a stage where wonderful things happen.

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At the heart of the evening was the continued success of UK raiders, led by high-class handicapper Dividend, who triumphed in the Lord Glitters Handicap [sponsored by Azizi Developments], the feature race of the night.

Ridden by Galway-born Rossa Ryan, who was celebrating a career-first winner at Meydan, the four-year-old held off Godolphin's King's Charter by three-quarters of a length.

“Absolutely superb!” said co-trainer Dr Richard Newland, who works in partnership with Jamie Insole, also claiming a landmark first victory at Meydan.“It's our first ever winner abroad and lovely to nab one.

“This horse has been knocking at the door in big handicaps, and we were hopeful tonight that the extra furlong and cheekpieces would help. Rossa was keen not to deliver him too early, and he judged it perfectly.”

Ryan, also riding his first Meydan winner, added:“I had the two Godolphin horses and the Wathnan horse in front of me, and I thought 'I'm definitely in the right spot.

“He has a good turn of foot and a tight turning track, as this suits him down to the ground. I think the best way is to drop him in the middle and ride him for an explosive turn of foot, and that way, he enjoys it. It's great for the owners [Commercium] as it's their first horse out here.”

The success of British raiders didn't stop there.

Ed Walker, who is based at Lambourn's 'Valley of the Racehorse' in Berkshire, England, enjoyed a third win from four runners at the Carnival as Northern Champion extended his Meydan record to two-from-two in the Dubai Trophy [sponsored by Azizi Developments].

Dropping back to 1,200 metres after a Jumeirah Stakes victory over 1,400 metres, the colt surged down the centre of the track under five-time British champion jockey Oisin Murphy, winning by two lengths from Charlie Appleby's Maximised.

“It was a good decision by Ed Walker to go back to six furlongs. I didn't take a pull out of the gate, and he had a little bit of pressure on his left. From halfway, I let him get racing, and he picked them off as they slowed down,” said Murphy, marking his first Meydan winner since 2020.

“I used to be a regular visitor here and have lots of winners, but it's great to get the leg up on his fellow, and I'm grateful to Simon Sadler, his owner, who organised my trip.”

South African trainer Dylan Cunha, based in Britain, also celebrated a second Carnival victory when Tailgunner Joe blazed up the inside under Bernardo Pinheiro to win the Azizi Venice Handicap over 1,600 metres on turf, edging Jolly Roger by a quarter of a length.

Pinheiro explained,“I followed the horse since he arrived in Dubai. I saw his races on dirt and then his races on turf were in a high class, so when I saw him in a handicap, I got in touch and asked for the ride.”

Cunha added,“He's been so unlucky in Dubai with draws, and it was an awesome ride from Bernardo. I'm thankful to the owner [Nick Bauer, Ridgeview Stud] for believing in me and the horse and to the team in Dubai for doing such a good job.”

Pinheiro later completed a double as Desperate Hero gained his first Dubai win in the finale, the Azizi Riviera Handicap over 1,200 metres on turf. The six-year-old grey powered home to beat Rapper's Delight by two and a half lengths for trainer Salem bin Ghadayer.

Pat Dobbs, a long-time UAE fan favourite and a close ally of eight-time UAE Champion trainer Doug Watson, celebrated his 47th birthday in style, claiming a double. The highlight was Cats By Five, who recorded back-to-back wins in the 1,200-metre Burj Azizi Handicap on dirt. Trained by Watson, the big grey pulled away to beat front-running Lahfaty by five lengths.

“He's improving,” said Dobbs.“He worked last Sunday, and I thought it was the best feel I've had since we got him. He's definitely found his feet this year. He always feels like a seven-furlong [1,400 metre] horse at home, so I wasn't worried about sending him on in the straight. He's a lovely big horse and very straightforward.”

Watson added,“I knew he had that in him, and that's why we bought him. We'll see what he can do next time up against the big boys on Super Saturday [G3 Mahab Al Shimaal]. Hopefully, he can earn himself a spot on World Cup night.”

Dobbs' earlier win came with Nyaar in the Azizi Creek Views Handicap over 1,400 metres on dirt. The six-year-old thrived in a fast pace, surging at the 200-metre marker to beat early leader Action Point by just under two lengths.

Among other highlights, former champion trainer Bhupat Seemar and Richie Mullen combined to win the Azizi Reve Maiden over 1,900 metres with Watch Collector, who had been well-beaten in his previous three starts. After the evening kicked off with the Azizi Mina Handicap for Purebred Arabians, where Uptown Walk The Line led from the front and stormed home for a ten-length win under Sandro Paiva.

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