Tag Archive for: Dubai Sheema Classic

Meydan magic from Equinox in Sheema Classic

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Equinox justified his status as the best turf horse in the world, smashing the Meydan mile-and-a-half track record in landing the $6million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.

Christophe Lemaire’s mount did it the hard way, his white face leading all the way and stretching to a scintillating three-and-a-half-length victory.

The Tetsuya Kimura-trained colt, a son of Japanese sire Kitasan Black, had won the Tenno Sho in Tokyo in October and was having his first run since landing the Arima Kinen on Christmas Day.

But that pair of Group One successes paled into insignificance as Lemaire’s charge cruised on the front end, tracked by the John and Thady Gosden-trained Mostahdaf under Jim Crowley.

Lemaire always had any move covered, though, and he kicked clear with two furlongs to run and, eased down, lowered the track record by over a second.

Ralph Beckett’s Irish Derby winner Westover, who had got warm beforehand, made up some ground and finished with a flourish, but the bird had long since flown. Zagrey stayed on to pip Mostahdaf for third, but this was all about the brilliance of the winner.

Kimura said: “I have never seen such a strong horse and I am surprised as well.

“I really appreciated it that the Dubai Racing Club have invited us and I really appreciate it.

“I didn’t think about the tactics. My concern was just to get my horse in the best condition.

“He was just brilliant when he came into my yard as a two-year-old. I am not sure where he will run next.”

Lemaire first won the Sheema Classic in 2006 aboard Heart’s Cry at Nad Al Sheeba and his latest success proved poignant.

He said: “He is a fantastic horse. He is getting better race after race. Today he was a little bit fresh and keen, but OK, I rode the best horse and I had no fear to make the pace.

“I am so happy for connections. It has been a long time since I won the Sheema Classic. The last time was with Heart’s Cry and he passed away two weeks ago, so I am very grateful to this horse. Today, it is a nice tribute to him.

“Race after race he is going up on my ranking and today was a great performance against these kind of horses at the top level. I’m really glad.”

He added: “There was no strategy, I rode him by myself.

“He was fresh and quite keen, so I decided to let him go, then I slowed it down.

“He was running good and so relaxed, then when I let him go he just stretched away. He’s a fantastic horse.”

Beckett was thrilled with Westover, and can look forward to a big season ahead.

He said: “We just got beaten by a very, very good horse. He appears to be the best around, so to finish second to him is everything we could have hoped for.

“The Coronation Cup is a possible target, but I wouldn’t rule out dropping him back to 10 furlongs for an Eclipse or a Tattersalls Gold Cup.”

Rebel with a cause – Appleby backing Romance to star on Meydan card

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Charlie Appleby labelled global traveller Rebel’s Romance as the horse best equipped to bring his A-game to the big stage in Saturday’s Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

Rebel’s Romance put together a five-race unbeaten sequence in 2022 that culminated in victory over Stone Age in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland.

The five-year-old also triumphed in Listed and Group Three company in Britain and in two German Group Ones at Hoppegarten and Cologne.

Rebel’s Romance had to miss his intended prep race in the Dubai City Of Gold earlier this month, but Appleby is confident he is firing on all cylinders ahead of his Group One assignment,

Appleby said: “Rebel’s Romance is the most impressive horse on the night, just look at his record. He knows how to perform on the big stage and his last three starts were all won impressively in strong fields.

“He is suited by a flat, conventional track as he’s a big, galloping horse. He’s certainly one we could head back to America with.

“He had a minor setback which happened for a reason, and rather than get sucked into running him on Super Saturday we gave him a spin on the turf course.”

Appleby holds a typically strong hand across World Cup night, fielding two contenders in the Dubai Turf over nine furlongs.

Master Of The Seas is one of two Dubai Turf runners for Appleby
Master Of The Seas is one of two Dubai Turf runners for Appleby (David Davies/PA)

Master Of The Seas was a fast-finishing third in the Jebel Hatta on his most recent run, while Nations Pride was a Group Two winner last month over 10 furlongs.

The Godolphin handler said: “Master Of The Seas is strong in mind and body and was a bit unlucky on his last start.

“He’s come out of it well, and remembering he finished second in the Guineas there is no doubting his ability, while James Doyle knows him.

“The nine furlongs puts a bit more of a challenge on Nations Pride, but if there’s a gallop it will assist him. I’m aware that the draw (stalls 10 and 16) for both horses could have been better.”

Siskany is favourite for the Dubai Gold Cup
Siskany is favourite for the Dubai Gold Cup (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Siskany is the ante-post favourite for the Dubai Gold Cup after winning a Group Three on his Meydan return and he is joined by Global Storm in the two-mile contest.

Appleby said: “Siskany comes into the Gold Cup on the back of a nice win. He has a gear change and a turn of foot. It looks like there will be a pace angle, which is good for him.

“Global Storm finished third in the City Of Gold after Rebel’s Romance skipped the race with a setback.”

At the other end of the distance scale, Al Suhail contests the Al Quoz Sprint over six furlongs on the back of two Meydan wins this winter.

Appleby added: “Al Suhail is a six-year-old that is getting older but stronger. He has a good racing mind, is in great shape and thinks he’s King Kong.

“His draw in eight is a concern, and we will try to get a tow into the race.”

Classic hero Westover hunting Sheema success in Dubai

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Westover makes his return in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic on Saturday, with connections hoping he has made the required progress to build on his three-year-old campaign.

Ralph Beckett’s charge was the winner of Sandown’s Classic Trial on his seasonal bow last term and went on to be a somewhat unlucky loser when third in the Derby at Epsom before setting the record straight with a destructive performance in the Irish equivalent.

However, things did not go completely to plan for the son of Frankel following Classic success at the Curragh.

He raced far too keenly when a well-beaten favourite in the King George at Ascot in July, before being freshened up and ending his campaign with a respectable sixth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Now he heads to Meydan on World Cup night aiming to take the first step on the path to all the top middle-distance contests throughout the upcoming Flat turf season.

“We’re looking forward to seeing him,” said Barry Mahon, racing manager for owners Juddmonte. “He’s a Classic-winning three-year-old and these are the races you have to compete in when you stay in training at four.

“We’re looking forward to getting him going and I think Ralph and his team are happy with him, so we’re hoping for a good run.

“When you are capable of winning Classics at three, you don’t have to improve a lot to be in the mix again in the big races at four and hopefully he is set for a nice four-year-old campaign.”

Both Rob Hornby and Colin Keane rode Westover during his three-year-old season, but the Frankel colt will be partnered for the first time by Ryan Moore in the £3million contest – with Mahon delighted to have acquired the services of one of the world’s leading riders.

Ryan Moore will ride Westover in his Dubai return this Saturday
Ryan Moore will ride Westover in his Dubai return this Saturday (Mike Egerton/PA)

He continued: “Between Australia, Hong Kong and everywhere else, Ryan is a top-class rider. He rides for us when he can and we’re happy to have him.”

The Christophe Lemaire-ridden Equinox, Hong Kong Vase winner Win Marilyn and last year’s champion Shahryar form a strong Japanese hand for the mile-and-a-half Group One.

Elsewhere in the race, Mostahdaf represents John and Thady Gosden following his recent romp in Saudi Arabia, while William Buick is the most successful rider in the race and bids for a fifth victory aboard Charlie Appleby’s Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Rebel’s Romance.

Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori after winning the Dubai World Cup
Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori after winning the Dubai World Cup (Neil Morrice/PA)

It could be a big evening for the Moulton Paddocks handler who is well represented in the Al Quoz Sprint by Super Saturday scorer Al Suhail, has Siskany currently listed as favourite for the Dubai Gold Cup and saddles both Nations Pride and Master Of The Seas in the Dubai Turf.

Frankie Dettori reunites with the Gosden-trained Lord North as the seven-year-old attempts to return to the winner’s circle for the third straight year in that nine-furlong event, while the evergreen Italian teams up with US handler Bob Baffert to ride both Worcester in the UAE Derby and defending champion Country Grammer in the Dubai World Cup.

Currently locked with Jerry Bailey on four victories in the feature contest, Dettori will have the chance to become the outright most successful jockey in the Carnival’s 10-furlong showpiece as he brings the curtain down on his Meydan riding career.