WE did not know it at the time, but racing at Jebel Ali last Friday afternoon, consisting of an eight-race card, was to be the final action of the Emirates Racing Authority season.

The card was highlighted by the fourth running of the Jebel Ali Classic, a seven-furlong conditions race won in its inaugural year 2017 and again 12 months ago by Shamaal Nibras. The EERC (Emirates Entertainment Racing Club) 11-year-old looked set to win his final race before retirement in style, only to be denied on the line by stable companion Thegreatcollection.