Meydan

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...

Legend Of Time (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) built on the promise of his winning Haydock debut to claim the Jumeirah Guineas Trial by a length over Shamrock Glitter (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}) at Meydan on Friday, despite drawing very wide in the 1400-metre turf affair. The way the son of Kissable (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) went about his business despite covering extra ground every step of the way and still gave the appearance of more to come, could have European Classic implications down the road. Fifth after a hampered passage...

In this series, we will have a look at American-bred first-time starters in maiden races at the tracks of the Emirates Racing Authority--predominantly Meydan and occasionally Jebel Ali--with a specific focus on pedigree and/or performance in a sales ring in the meetings leading up to the Dubai World Cup program Saturday, Mar. 30, 2024. Meydan will host racing mainly on Fridays, with the exception of Super Saturday Mar. 2 and Dubai World Cup night. Here is one horse of interest making its debut under the Friday night lights: 5th-MEY, Allowance,...

Two-time Grade I winner Defunded (Dialed In) will point towards the G1 Saudi Cup for new connections after having been privately purchased. The news, announced Saturday evening via a release, notes that the colt was bought for an undisclosed sum by Dr. Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb's HDB Racing Stable, a new Saudi Arabian owner, and arrived in Saudi Arabia Dec. 18. "He is an exceptional horse and has the profile, hopefully, to be a great asset to Riyadh racing and to do well in the Saudi Cup," said Khalid Mishref. In...

The bred-in-the-purple Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Minidress {GB}, by Street Cry {Ire}) gave the boys in blue their eighth AED850,000 G2 Al Rashidiya winner when drawing off to win by 3 1/4 lengths in the 1800-metre grass contest on Friday.  One of two group races on the nine-race Meydan card, the Al Rashidiya featured 10 rivals for the lightly raced 3-year-old, who was receiving a break in the weights. Part of the early pace discussion, the near-black colt was keen and tugging as he tracked Wirko (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) down...

3rd-Meydan, AED210,000, Cond., 12-22, 1400m, 1:24.64, ft. MANAMA GOLD (f, 2, Star Guitar--Charged Cotton, by Dehere), who attracted plenty of hype prior to this first start, ran to her billing and emerged a 2 1/2 length winner at Meydan. Kept off the fence as Frost At Dawn (Frosted) made the running, the Louisiana-bred was keen to go on rounding the bend and Adrie de Vries had his hands full keeping her content. She tackled the leader at the head of the straight, and ground determinedly past her 250 metres from...

Friday marks the first edition of the Festive Friday card at Meydan, featuring two group races, three listed races and AED4.5 million in prize-money across the nine-race stand. Returning to the scene of his 2023 G2 Godolphin Mile victory is Isolate (Mark Valeski), who will step out in the AED1-million G2 Al Maktoum Mile for trainer Doug Watson. Tyler Gaffalione will fly in for the race from the States. "That was a great day and he's moving better this year than he did last year," said trainer Doug Watson, who...

In Newmarket the rain is pouring and the sun, if it still exists, is being defiantly reclusive. But just one small click on a Zoom link and suddenly there is a backdrop of endless blue sky, and in the foreground the smiling face of Lucie Botti, back in Dubai for her umpteenth winter and looking understandably pleased to have escaped the English weather. Botti is of course married to Newmarket trainer Marco Botti, and for years their stable has had runners all over the world, but most often in Dubai...

2nd-Meydan, AED165,000, 11-24, Mdn., 1200m, 1:12.98, ft. LAHFATY (f, 2, Mitole--Magic Belle, by Gold Case), who was profiled in the latest edition of Desert Debuters, continued the strong autumn run for her sire to win by a geared down three lengths on debut at Meydan on Friday. The Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum-owned chestnut hopped slightly at the break, but was always contending for the lead down the back straight. She was poised to take over in earnest leaving the bend, and scampered away from her rivals in a...

In this series, we will have a look at American-bred first-time juvenile starters (through the end of 2023) and debuting 3-year-olds in maiden races at Meydan Racecourse, with a specific focus on pedigree and/or performance in a sales ring in the meetings leading up to the Dubai World Cup program Saturday, Mar. 30, 2024. The flagship venue for racing in the United Arab Emirates, Meydan will host racing predominantly on Fridays, with the exception of Super Saturday Mar. 2 and Dubai World Cup night. Here are the horses of interest...

4th-Meydan, AED165,000, Maiden, 3yo, 1600m, 1:39.07, ft. MESHTRI (c, 3, Medaglia d'Oro--Clothes Fall Off {MSW & MGSP, $485,860}, by Daaher) made the most of his belated racetrack debut to score by a hard-fought half-length. Spearing through to lead shortly after the break, the bay was overtaken by Nevershow Weakness (Lord Nelson) underneath him and was content to take the sit for the in-form James Orman. Asked to come after the front-runner as they turned into the straight, Meshtri drew on even terms with about 300 metres to travel and just...

In this series, we will have a look at American-bred first-time juvenile starters (through the end of 2023) and debuting 3-year-olds in maiden races at Meydan Racecourse, with a specific focus on pedigree and/or performance in a sales ring in the meetings leading up to the Dubai World Cup program Saturday, Mar. 30, 2024. The flagship venue for racing in the United Arab Emirates, Meydan will host racing predominantly on Fridays, with the exception of Super Saturday Mar. 2 and Dubai World Cup night. Here are the horses of interest...