For many present on Saturday, horse racing begins and ends with the Dubai World Cup.
A once-a-year extravaganza of suits, frocks and hats, and the chance to catch some of the best racing in the world. All before fireworks and post-race entertainment – this year Jennifer Lopez, in concert – wrap up proceedings.
For more serious fans, it is the culmination of weeks, even months, of racing leading up to the biggest horse race of them all.
[ Check out this video of the Dubai World Cup race ]
For those heavily involved, such as the owners and jockeys, it is a year-long labour of love. But perhaps no one is as invested in the results on the day as are the trainers.
The records will show that the day’s first race, the Dubai Kahayla Classic, was won by Rabbah De Carrere, ridden by jockey Oliver Peslier, just beating Djainka Des Forges.
It was far more than that.
For the Emirati trainer Majed Al Jahouri, 37, enjoying his finest season, it was a crowning achievement. He trained all seven winners of the Group 1 races for Purebred Arabians this season and Rabbah De Carrere’s win completed a sweep of the country’s top prizes.
As his charge crossed the finish line, Al Jahouri and his family erupted with joy – and pride.
“I knew he was a good horse but tonight he proved the best,” Al Jahouri said, beaming.
The trainer said he would like to run Rabbah De Carrere in the Qatar World Cup, the world’s richest race for Arabians, with a prize of at €700,000 (Dh3.5m), which is run on the Arc de Triomphe card at Longchamp in Paris. “But that is a decision we have to discuss with the owner.”
No doubt the owner, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, who first spotted Al Jahouri’s talent, would have been just as proud of his countryman’s achievement.
If the first race was all about the UAE, the second was a triumph for South Africa after the US$1 million (Dh3.67m) Godolphin Mile was won by Variety Club.
Awaiting the winning jockey Anton Marcus in the paddock was trainer Joey Ramsden with a South African flag draped over his shoulder. Ramsden could barely hide his delight. Sixteen wins in 22 career races for Variety Club, and now a winner in Dubai. “This is giving me so much pleasure and it may take a while to sink in,” Ramsden said.
There were disappointments, and grace, for those who missed out.
“He was unlucky but he ran well,” Saeed bin Suroor said of his Dubai World Cup runner-up Cavalryman. “The trip suits him but he was beaten by a better horse on the night. He tried hard but was unlucky tonight. We will take him back to England now.”
At 6.20pm, the UAE national anthem was played as Sheikh Hamdan, seated next to his father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the Dubai World Cup officially open.
The serious action was about to start. The UAE Derby, with prize money of $2m was next.
Toast of New York romped home, Jamie Spencer following up his Dubai Gold Cup win on Certerach with another victory. Trainer Jamie Osborne, a former jockey, celebrated wildly. By the time he walked up to receive his trophy, he had recovered a bit of calm. Too late, he had already revealed his true feelings.
Clearly, the trainers retain a competitive streak they struggle to rein in. On the eve of the Dubai World Cup last year, Tammy Fox, co-trainer of the 2005 winner Roses of May, along with husband Dale Romans, admitted that “if I could be riding, I would still do it”.
It is a feeling undoubtedly shared by many trainers, like football managers standing on the touchline unable to influence the action on the pitch. After all, who knows more about the horses, and what they are capable of achieving, than those who train them?
Next, it was Richy Yiu’s turn to get his nerves shredded before he came out smiling at the other end. The trainer saw Joao Moreira ride Amber Sky to glory in the $1m Al Quoz Sprint.
The last word goes to the man who masterminded the day’s biggest win, as Godolphin’s African Story took the main event.
“I told Sheikh Mohammed that this horse had a great chance to win because he was peaking at the right time,” said Bin Suroor, the trainer. “Obviously, we are delighted to win the World Cup after failing to win a single race in the card.”
Dubai World Cup winner. For a horse trainer, it is music to the ears.
akhaled@thenational.ae
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