Algiers (Ire)

After what his connections described in a tweet on X as 'works not showing the same sparkle' as in years prior, the 2023 G1 Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) has been retired from racing. A multiple Group winner in Meydan in addition to his second-place finish to multiple Group 1 winner Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), he'd last been seen in Canada on Oct. 7, missing victory in Woodbine's GIII Durham Cup S. by half-a-length. A horse for Dubai's dirt courses, his first Group triumph came in 2022...

G1 Dubai World Cup second Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) will miss an intended start in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile with a foot issues, according to trainers Simon and Ed Crisford. The 6-year-old sustained bruising on his right front leg. "Unfortunately Algiers won't be able to run in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile," the Crisfords' Gainsborough Thoroughbreds tweeted on X (formerly Twitter). "He is going to have to miss a few days training due to a minor foot issue. He will now be prepared for a winter in Dubai." The...

Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal), runner-up in the G1 Dubai World Cup last March, will contest the GI Breeders' Cup Mile rather than the 10-furlong GI Classic, according to the gelding's connections. "He just looked very effective over a mile and a mile-and-one at Meydan and he has a lot of speed," explained Ed Crisford. "I'm not saying he doesn't stay the 10 furlongs, it's just that we felt at Santa Anita a mile may play to his strengths more." An impressive winner going a mile in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge...

Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal), the winner of the first two rounds of the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1/R2 this season, will be aimed at the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup at the end of March and bypass a shot at the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup on Feb. 25. "He won Round 2 very well and the step up in trip on the dirt was no problem, so it's all systems go for the World Cup," said trainer Ed Crisford, who trains with his father, Simon. "We took him out of the...

Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) became just the fifth horse in history to win the first two rounds of the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge in the same year. Stepping up to 1900 metres for this first time in this $350,000 main track event sponsored by Emaar, the chestnut was forced to cover extra ground when leaving from stall eight. Unable to save any real estate on the clubhouse turn, he avoided the kickback generated by pacesetters Secret Victory (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) along the fence and Bendoog (Gun Runner), to that foe's outside....

Only four horses in the history of the Dubai World Cup Carnival have managed to win the first two rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge in the same year, with the last of the four, North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), completing the double in 2019. Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabousi's Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) could be number five, as he leaves from stall eight under James Doyle in Friday's G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Presented By Emaar. The Simon and Ed Crisford charge blitzed the competition by 6 1/2 lengths when...

Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) stormed to an impressive 6 1/2-length victory in the $250,000 G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 Presented by Zabeel Feed on Friday to add an exclamation point to the opening card of the Dubai World Cup Carnival. Already a group winner after taking the G3 Jebel Ali Mile last term, the 6-year-old entire punched the breeze out wide as Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) battled Capezzano (Bernardini) for the backstretch run. In a good rhythm, although at least six deep on the bend, Algiers edged up...