AL MOURTAJEZ
Considered by many as the very best Purebred Arabian in the world, Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Mourtajez is set to grace the Abu Dhabi turf on Sunday, November 13.
Beaten only twice in 13 starts, Thomas Fourcy’s stable star won the Qatar Arabian World Cup at the beginning of the month and will face 15 rivals in the world’s most valuable Purebred Arabian race, the €1.2million Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup Crown Jewel next week.
Al Mourtajez in action.
BLUFF
Selecting a horse to follow throughout the season is never easy when so much can go wrong before the beast in question even reaches a racecourse.
Trained by Dhruba Selvaratnam, Bluff looks an interesting prospect in his second UAE season. A trip to the vets, for the cruellest cut of them all, could well be the making of this talented but, previously, quirky individual.
BACK IN THE FOLD
Trainer Majed Al Jahouri [below] was totally dominant in local Purebred Arabian terms for two campaigns, highlighted by a remarkable clean sweep of all the Group One contests three seasons ago.
However, in April 2015 he had his licence revoked for 12 months after two of his horses tested positive for prohibited substances. He is back, from a new base in Al Ain and will be hungry for winners.
Al Jahouri was banned.
CHAMPIONS HARD TO DETHRONE
Barring miracles, perennial Champion Owner, Sheikh Hamdan, will retain the title he has harvested for 11 consecutive seasons.
Champion Trainer Doug Watson [below] is proving a perfect example of the adage ‘success breeds success’ and will soon be forced to erect a ‘no vacancies’ sign at his Red Stables base.
Another big season, both domestic and Carnival, surely awaits. Tadhg O’Shea again looks the one to beat in the jockeys’ list given the Purebred Arabian ammunition at his disposal, supplied by Sheikh Khalifa and trainer Eric Lemartinel.
Doug Watson.
COLM O’DONOGHUE
A vital cog in the wheel of Balldoyle and Irish Champion Trainer Aidan O’Brien for very many years, Colm O’Donoghue has been appointed stable jockey by Ahmad bin Harmash.
With commitments for O’Brien this weekend and possibly at the Breeders’ Cup next Friday and Saturday, he will miss the very early part of the season.
His three UAE winners to date are highlighted by UAE Derby victory on O’Brien’s Daddy Long Legs in 2012.
NEW NAMES
Fans of former Champion Trainers Musabah Al Muhairi (right) and Ali Rashid Al Raihe fear their names are no longer on the racecard; they are, but have changed to Musabbeh Al Mheiri and Ali Rashid Al Rayhi respectively.
The ‘new identities’ are those listed in English on their latest passports.