Wednesday, February 22 2012

Pimpernel for Oaks glory

The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, one of Meydan’s pillar partners, sponsor Thursday evening's Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting where the three-year-old classic generation take centre stage with both the UAE Oaks and Meydan Classic on the six-race card.

The official feature is the Group 3 UAE Oaks, restricted to three-year-old fillies over 1900m on the all-weather track, for which six have been declared. Godolphin's Mahmoud Al Zarooni –trained Pimpernel looks certain to be Pick 6 favourite on her second local start having chased home stable companion Gamilati in the UAE 1000 Guineas.

Thursday, February 16 2012

Viscount Nelson storms Fort

Mike de Kock and Kevin Shea combined to win the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort for a third time when Viscount Nelson won the 1600m turf feature at Meydan on a six race card sponsored by Al Tayer Motors on Thursday evening.

It was a fifth win in the race in seven years for Shea and fourth in total for de Kock who also saddled the third, Master Of Hounds. The pair were split by the Doug Watson-trained Albaasil who looked the likely winner when hitting the front 200m out but could not hold the late challenge of Shea and Viscount Nelson.

Tuesday, February 14 2012

Al Tayer Motors team with Dubai Racing Club

Dubai, UAE 14 February 2012 – Thursday’s racemeeting kicks off a double-header weekend of racing at Meydan, with the first part to be sponsored by Al Tayer Motors.

The highlight of the six- racecard is the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort, 1,600m turf contest, a possible measuring stick for the upcoming US$5 million Group 1 Dubai Duty Free on Dubai World Cup day.

Wednesday, February 08 2012

Local stars up for the Challenge?

Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) sponsors Thursday's fixture of the 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival which is, without a doubt, the best meeting so far, featuring the middle rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge, both for Thoroughbreds and Purebred Arabians, the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas and Group 3 Firebreak Stakes.

The Al Maktoum Challenge Round II for Thoroughbreds, over 1900m on the all-weather surface has been upgraded to Group 2 status this year and 11 have been declared for a race won in 2003 by subsequent Dubai World Cup winner Moon Ballad.

Four Group Races Await February 9 Dubai World Cup Carnival Meeting

Dubai, UAE, 7 February 2012 – The second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge, a Group 2 affair for Thoroughbreds and Group 1 for Purebred Arabians will be joined by the UAE 2000 Guineas and Firebreak Stakes, both Group 3 contests, on the action-packed February 9 Dubai World Cup Carnival programme sponsored by Dubai Aluminum.

Prizemoney will be impressive with both the Thoroughbred Al Maktoum Challenge, held at 1,900m, and the UAE 2000 Guineas, 1,600m, valued at US $250,000.

Sunday, February 05 2012

Sobha Chairman PNC Menon Committed to the Future Development of Dubai

Dubai, UAE, 5 February 2012 - Meydan Group, the developers of Meydan City – one of the most exciting and culturally significant developments being created in Dubai - has announced the sale to the Sobha Group a large tract of land adjacent to the project’s Godolphin Parks area.
The Sobha Group is a multinational development and services firm owned and operated by internationally acclaimed developer, PNC Menon. The land sales will total approximately 8 million square feet, and represents the largest sale of Meydan City offerings to date.

This strategic relationship by PNC Menon’s Sobha Group will provide a long-term commitment to development in Dubai. Incorporated in 1995 by PNC Menon, Sobha Group has grown under Menon’s progressive vision and has significant operations in India and throughout the Middle East including the UAE, Sultanate of Oman, Qatar and Bahrain.

Friday, February 03 2012

Gamilati sensational in Guineas romp

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai was present to see Godolphin's Gamilati lead home a 1-2 when comfortably beating stable companion Pimpernel in the Gulf News-sponsored Listed UAE 1000 Guineas, the first Classic of the season and over 1600m on the all-weather.

Frankie Dettori was in the saddle on the winner who confirmed the promise of her win in the 1400m trial for this race and she seemingly relished the extra 200m and has taken the switch to the all-weather with relish. Dettori always looked confident, tracking his five rivals until producing the filly on the outside and she could not have won more easily with Pimpernel, who endured a few traffic problems early in the straight, running on at one pace for second.

Thursday, February 02 2012

Guineas for Gulf News at Meydan

Gulf News sponsor this Friday afternoon 's Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting at Meydan with the official feature, the UAE 1000 Guineas highlighting a card which also includes the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint.

The first Classic of the season, the 1600m Listed UAE 1000 Guineas has attracted a field of seven headed by Godolphin's Gamilati who comfortably won the 1400m trial for the race on her local debut. Trained by Mahmoud Al Zarooni, she proved she handles the all-weather surface on that occasion and she looks the one they all have to beat with Frankie Dettori again in the saddle.

Wednesday, February 01 2012

Gulf News to sponsor Friday’s racemeeting

Dubai, UAE, 1, February 2012 –The first classic of the season, the UAE 1000 Guineas, complemented by the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint highlights racing at Meydan this Friday.

UAE 1000 Guineas and the Al Shindagha Sprint are both contested on the all-weather surface over 1,600 and 1,200m respectively. The Meydan Classic Trial will be run over 1,400m on the turf.

Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat attracts 368 Nominees

Able One, a three time Group 1 winner over 1,600m in Hong Kong including last year’s Hong Kong Mile, is amongst the 368 entries from 14 countries for the US$1 million Group 2 Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat.

Trained by John Moore Able One will represent Hong Kong, and joins four other horses from that country.

Tuesday, January 31 2012

UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group attracts 136 entries

The US$2 million Group Two UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group received 136 horses entered, with a strong international contingent that will be seeking to break the stranglehold by UAE-based trainer Saeed bin Suroor and South Africa's Mike de Kock who are the only conditioners to win in 12-year history of the race.

Last year Saeed bin Suroor secured a record seventh win as the Godolphin-owned filly Khawlah bested a field of 14 to become the first filly to defeat the colts in the 1,900 metre contest for three-year-olds on the all-weather surface.

Thursday, January 26 2012

Impressive Al Rashidiya win for Musir

Musir could not have been more impressive when winning the Dubai Duty Free-sponsored Group 2 Al Rashidiya, the 1800m turf feature at Meydan on Thursday evening, in front of a large crowd which included His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Jockey Christophe Soumillon oozed confidence throughout on the Mike de Kock-trained five-year-old son of Redoute’s Choice who was following up an equally impressive win in the Group 3 Al Maktoum Challenge Round I (1600m all-weather) on his previous start.