Friday, March 13 2009
Watson nabs Jebel Ali Sprint with Hammadi
Sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Shadwell operation, Friday’s 1000m Jebel Ali Sprint, the track’s final Listed race of the afternoon was won in thrilling fashion by Doug Watson’s Hammadi who thwarted Mike De Kock’s Frosty Secret by the narrowest of margins.
Fernando Jara rode the winner who denied Frankie Dettori on the runner-up in one of the closest finishes of the season, to the delight of Watson who said: “This horse has a lot of speed and it is a great result for the whole team – especially owner Malih Al Basti who is such a good supporter of the yard.
Thursday, March 12 2009
Jebel Ali Sprint highlights Friday’s racecard
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Shadwell organisation will sponsor the Jebel Ali meeting this Friday afternoon with the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint the highlight of the track’s penultimate meeting of the season.
The 1000m dash was won in 2003 by subsequent Dubai Golden Shaheen winner State City, who landed the Dubai World Cup night sprint for Paddy Rudkin, and this year’s victor will be hoping to get an invite for the big night and a maximum field of 16 will face the starter.
Monday, March 09 2009
Quaolina takes Group 1 Liwa Oasis
Champion Trainer Doug Watson saddled two winners from two runners at Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening, including Quaolina, the impressive winner of the featured Group 1 Liwa Oasis over 1400m.
Kindly sponsored by Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, the Capital’s 13th meeting of the season was their third last and Watson’s double puts him within touching distance of retaining his crown.
Richard Hills was in the saddle on Quaolina, already a Group 1 winner in the UK and opening her UAE account at the second attempt having chased home Fryvolous last time.
Saturday, March 07 2009
Group 1 turf race on at Abu Dhabi on Sunday
The Group 1 Liwa Oasis, over 1400m on the Abu Dhabi turf, is the highlight of the Capital’s 13th meeting of the season on Sunday with seven declared.
Kindly sponsored by Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, the Liwa Oasis has been won in each of the last two years by wonder mare Mizzna but, sadly, she is out injured.
In her absence, Doug Watson’s Quaolina looks the most likely winner in the hands of Richard Hills and the trainer said: “She has had one run for us and ran very well. She is going well at home and this looks an ideal opportunity for her.”
Friday, February 27 2009
Treble for Buick and Selvaratnam at Jebel Ali
"The Jebel Ali sprint prep, over 1000m and kindly sponsored by the Kingwood Stables base of trainer Marcus Tregoning, owned by his main patron His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was won by Alo Pura, trained on the course by Dhruba Selvaratnam for his main patron Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
William Buick was in the saddle on the five-year-old mare who was the highlight of a treble for himself, trainer and owner which leaves Buick disputing the jockeys’ championship with Fernando Jara.
Thursday, February 26 2009
Jebel Ali Sprint prep race this Friday
The Jebel Ali Sprint is a fortnight away and Friday’s Jebel Ali card is highlighted by a prep race, over the same minimum trip of 1000m and a maximum field of 16 will go to post.
Both this race and the Listed feature in two weeks are sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Shadwell organisation.
Monday, February 23 2009
Durcan claims round two UAE Triple Crown second time in row
Sunday’s twelfth meeting of the season at Abu Dhabi, kindly sponsored by Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, featured the middle leg of the Arabian Triple Crown and the 2200m Group 3 feature attracted a small but select field of five.
Rod Simpson, based at Al Asayl near the capital, saddled two of the runners and continued his remarkable run of form with Ted Durcan on Jazeerat Alsadyaat beating stable companion Elmalak Elwaheed under Richard Mullen.
Monday, February 16 2009
Trainer Hawaa claims UAE Arabian Derby
Sunday’s eleventh meeting of the season at Abu Dhabi, kindly sponsored by Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, featured both the UAE Arabian Derby and the Emirates Fillies’ Classic.
Over 2200m, the UAE Arabian Derby was contested by a field of nine after three withdrawals and it was Ibn Abeya, trained by Samir Hawaa, who landed the spoils in good style.
Saturday, February 14 2009
UAE Arabian Derby to take place at Abu Dhabi on Sunday
Sunday’s eleventh meeting of the season at Abu Dhabi, kindly sponsored by Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, features the UAE Arabian Derby, a prestige event over 2200m for which twelve have been declared.
Royal Class, owned by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and trained by Gill Duffield looks likely to be the Pick Six favourite with Richard Hills in the saddle.
A winner last time, he has top class form in the UK and has to go close.
Friday, February 13 2009
Watson takes Jebel Ali feature
A healthy crowd gathered at Jebel Ali on Friday afternoon for the course’s seventh meeting of the season and the afternoon’s feature, kindly sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Shadwell Farm, was an 1800m handicap.
It was won in exciting fashion by the Doug Watson-trained Call Me George who was last with 500m to run, but produced a devastating late burst to deny stable companion Tri Another Cat in the dying strides, with Blues Ballad a close third.
Thursday, February 12 2009
Competitive day at Jebel Ali on Friday
Friday’s Jebel Ali meeting is a seven race card highlighted by an 1800m handicap, kindly sponsored by Shadwell Farms, the American arm of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s breeding operation.
It has attracted a maximum field of 16 with last year’s Godolphin Carnival winner Igor Protti, now trained by Abdulla Bin Huzaim, heading the weights.
Erwan Charpy saddles four runners, with Tadhg O’Shea electing to ride Spring City and Richard Hills on Sheikh Hamdan’s Morghim.
Monday, February 09 2009
Watson and Hills grab HH The President’s Cup
Sunday’s tenth meeting of the season at Abu Dhabi, kindly sponsored by Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, featured the one million dirhams HH The President’s Cup which was won in a close finish by the Doug Watson-trained Nirwan.
Both Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan were present to witness their Abu Alemarat and Shadiyda finish second and third respectively but it was Nirwan and Richard Hills who gained the day close home in the 2200m feature.
