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.