ABU DHABI
Sunday, December 21st
The only thoroughbred race on the card, a seven-furlong handicap, went to Royal Revival (by King’s Best), a first winner of the season for Irish apprentice Marc Monaghan, riding for his boss Satish Seemar.
This was the gelding’s second success of the season and adds to his three wins previously in France where he won a listed race.
JEBEL ALI
Friday, December 26th
Trainer Musabah Al Muhairi and stable jockey, Silvestre de Sousa, were the pair to follow at Jebel Ali’s final meeting of the 2104 season.
The Oasis Stable team combined for a treble but the trainer had a fourth winner in the five thoroughbred races. Their treble was instigated by Interpret (by Distorted Humor) in the nine-furlong Jebel Ali Stakes Prep.
Winner of last year’s Listed Jebel Ali Stakes, Interpret bounced back from a disappointing end to last season and a lacklustre return this campaign at Meydan last week. “He needed his comeback run last week,” said de Sousa. “Hopefully he can defend his crown in the Jebel Ali Stakes itself.”
The pair combined to land the main support race with the impressive Muarrab (by Oasis Dream) who won the six-furlong conditions race for the second year running.
Winner of all three outings last season, Muarrab had not been seen since his victory in this 12 months ago.
“The Jebel Ali Sprint is an obvious option and hopefully we can find something for him at the Dubai World Cup Carnival,” said de Sousa
Those two victories were achieved either side of a facile victory for the three-year-old Silver Galaxy (by Galileo) who turned the nine-furlong handicap into a procession.
Al Muhairi’s fourth success was achieved when Daar Rashid (by Exceed And Excel), the mount of apprentice George Buckell, won the concluding six-furlong handicap.
The seven-furlong maiden produced a comfortable victory with Pat Dobbs always oozing confidence on the five-year-old Okimono (by Invincible Spirit), having only his second career start.
Runner-up on his previous outing at Goodwood in September 2011, he looks a nice prospect.
“We could not be more pleased with him today and will try and find another race for him,” said winning trainer, Doug Watson.
AL AIN
Saturday, December 27th
Silvestre de Sousa rode the winner of the only thoroughbred race on the card, the concluding five-furlong maiden in which he steered Conform With Fact (by Pivotal) to an easy victory for his main employer, Musabah Al Muhairi.
The winner is the third foal and winner for his dam Grain Of Truth, a stakes-placed daughter of the Irish and Yorkshire Oaks winner Pure Grain.
MEYDAN
Wednesday, December 31st
Musabah Al Muhairi and Silvestre de Sousa continued their recent great form with a double on New Year’s Eve.
They claimed the feature seven-furlong handicap on dirt with Atlantic Brave (by Piccolo) who was claiming his first victory since November 2012.
De Sousa, who was celebrating his birthday on the evening, asked for an effort early in the straight and took the lead half a furlong from the line.
“This horse is a real favourite in the yard,” said de Sousa of the winner who is owned by the Royal Cavalry Oman. “We could go back to Jebel Ali with him or try and find another race for him here.”
The trainer and jockey had earlier combined to win with Daar Zayed (by Kheleyf), one of only two fillies in the field, in another seven-furlong handicap.
Mike de Kock wasted no time opening his account for the season saddling the Irish-bred Mubtaahij (by Dubawi), his first runner of the season, to win the opening mile maiden.
One of two juveniles among the 13 runners, he was ridden by Dane O’Neill who asked for an effort two furlongs and they won going away.
“He is a nice horse,” said de Kock. “It is never easy for a two-year-old against their elders and we have to be very pleased with him.” It was the 150th UAE winner for the trainer.
The Doug Watson-trained Muaanid by Kheleyf), under Sam Hitchcott, was the impressive winner of the six-furlong handicap.
“He is a nice sprinter,” said Hitchcott. “He has not been the easiest to train and has had a few problems but Doug and the team have done well with him and been very patient. It would be nice to think he could be a Dubai World Cup Carnival horse.”
The meeting concluded with an 11-furlong handicap and Watson completed a double with stable jockey, Pat Dobbs, and Diwaan (by Echo Of Light) registering a hard-fought success.
It was a third consecutive win for the horse.
Satish Seemar and Richard Mullen combined with Filfil (by Hard Spun) to record a smooth victory in a mile handicap. “It has been a good start to our season and the yard continues in good form,” said Mullen.