JEBEL Ali’s biggest race of the season, the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile, produced one of the closest finishes of the campaign with Silver Galaxy and Forjatt crossing the line locked in battle. It was the latter, trained by Dhruba Selvaratnam, who prevailed by the narrowest of margins.

Ridden by Oisin Murphy, the Irish-bred Forjatt (by Iffraaj) entered the winner’s enclosure where he enjoyed a raucous reception from the enthusiastic crowd. “I thought I had won,” said Murphy. “I knew it was very close but was pretty confident we were in front when it mattered. That was an amazing reception from the crowd and it has been a great day.” In doing so, Forjatt became the second horse to win the race in consecutive years.

He was one of three winners on the February 20th card for connections who had already combined with another Irish-bred Dormello (by Dansili), the very smooth winner of a nine furlong conditions race. The treble was completed by Gobooll (by Invincible Spirit) in a seven furlong handicap on the all dirt card. “It has been a great afternoon and the horses are running well,” said Selvaratnam.

The five furlong Jebel Ali Sprint Trial, the final event on the card, was won impressively by Muarrab (by Oasis Dream), trained by Musabah Al Muhairi and ridden by Paul Hanagan. The Doug Watson-trained Diwaan (by Echo Of Light) was forced to work hard to win the 10 furlong conditions race, driven to the front close home by Pat Dobbs to register the pair’s fourth consecutive victory this season.

Salem Al Ketbi and his team at Al Asayl opened their thoroughbred account for the season with Brazen (by Kyllachy) in a six furlong handicap ridden by Tadhg O’Shea.