Al Ain – Thursday 4th December – Suleiman Altaf
The racing weekend kicked off early with Al Ain on Thursday, starting a four day run of action and it produced a standout performer. RB Blynd Date stole the show, extending his unbeaten UAE record with another effortless 14-length demolition that now pushes him toward Group company. Leading trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri and jockey Richard Mullen then wrapped up a notable double as Jazeelah cruised to her second win of the season, signalling she’s firmly back in form.
RB BLYND DATE (R4, 1st)
A thoroughly impressive performance to keep his UAE record unblemished, and that should now set him up for Group races to come. A small horse with a big heart as his jockey Richard Mullen described, he looks to have tons of ability and although he has not beaten much, the effortless manner in which he does it, is what stands him out.
AMMAR (R5, 2nd)
Two seconds in a row now for this season who had to settle for silver behind owner mate Nibraas. He is beginning to find his groove, though and a return to the winner’s circle should not be far and there is a good chance it will be at his next outing
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Meydan – Friday 5th December - Michael Adolphson
The Group 3 Al Garhoud Sprint served up a blistering early tempo, the leaders pouring on the pressure before fading late and setting the race up perfectly for the closers. No one capitalised more impressively than El Nasseeb, who swept past to score decisively, delivering a welcome back victory for jockey Antonio Fresu. It was a good night at HQ for Bhupat Seemar and Tadhg O’Shea, who came out firing with an early treble, taking the first three races on the card. Meanwhile, both Simon and Ed Crisford got their season up and running, as did jockey William Buick, thanks to a polished success from Telemark in the Handicap 80-100.
LINO PADRINO (Race 2, 1st)
Obviously. He won well (despite a slow start), displayed ample speed/stamina and looked like a horse with a future. For context, this 2yo is a $200,000 Uncle Lino—a useful, humble sire in Maryland whose stud fee is a mere $1,500. In that, he must have been (and surely was, because I was at the sale), an extremely good looker and mover. This horse will stretch out, but I would like to see him go one mile in the Guineas to put that much more seasoning into him before he goes 1900m (9.5f).
HISTORIC TIMES (Race 8, 4th)
Closed extremely well on debut. A good-looking, strong 3yo son of Dubawi who is surely going to be a late-blooming sort for Doug Watson. Expecting him to keep moving forward with each race and would be shocked if he doesn’t get the ‘W’ in the next race or two.
MORNING (Race 6, 3rd)
Yes, a pace collapse helped this one-run closer, but he has always been so kind and hard-trying. This effort first up on the season was excellent. His crux has always been enthusiastic connections who run him too often and don’t give him a chance to recover from his races. If he had time, say 4-5 weeks between races, he could possibly be a Shaheen horse, in my humble opinion—instead of running in everything possible under a mile that has a decent pot.
GRAY BOSS (Race 4, 2nd)
Ran a huge race to be second in his second run and on relatively short rest. He’s a good horse and he proved that, while learning a lot on Friday. Not sure what his ceiling is, but I believe he has the goods and build to fill out figuratively and literally into something fun. Like Lino Padrino ($200k), Mendelssohn Bay ($85k) and Friday’s finale winner Honest Moon ($75k), he’s a ($150k) graduate of Fasig-Tipton’s ultra-competitive Midlantic May 2yo Sale—so keep an eye out for those when you do your deeper dives into horse-by-horse research each Friday of the Carnival.
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Abu Dhabi – Saturday 6th December - Cassie Fahey
It was a night of class, comebacks, and world class riding at Saturday night’s HH The President Cup meeting. With international formlines intersecting across a standout card the spotlight shone brightest on the champion HM Alchahine, who produced a commanding performance to capture the AED 8 million feature, reaffirming his place at the top of the Purebred Arabian ranks in the UAE.
There was also a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure for Rasasi in the Group 3 Yas Sprint, kicking off a riding double for jockey Richie Mullen. The Abu Dhabi Derby saw the Polish President’s Cup winner Haseef win comprehensively for trainer Damien De Watrigant and Wathnan Racing. And the ride of the night went to Christophe Soumillon, who showcased his brilliance in the Thoroughbred President Cup, guiding Dark Trooper to a sensational rail skimming victory.
AMER BURN (R3, 9th)
The race certainly didn’t unfold as expected. He became fractious in the barriers, and his poor getaway immediately changed the complexion of the contest. By the 800m mark it was clear he was having serious steering issues. He’s definitely one to stick with. If he jumps cleanly next time and can roll forward, making his own running may well be his preference. On this occasion, he simply never got things his way and may well have spat the dummy.
ES SUDANI (R4, 2nd)
Often slow to start, he cost himself the win after losing valuable ground and letting the main bunch slip away early. Three furlongs from home he began to build momentum, swinging widest off the home turn and finishing strongly. An overdue victory feels imminent, he’s knocking on the door, stay with him.
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Sharjah – Sunday 7th December – Suleiman Altaf
It was a six-race programme at Sharjah for their third meeting of the season, headlined by the His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup. The feature — a competitive 0–90 sprint for the Purebred Arabians — produced a mighty impressive winner, stamping clear authority on the field in decisive fashion.
TOLMOUNT (R6, 2nd)
He looks like a horse to keep onside. The final 100m of Sharjah’s 1700m trip caught him out but he has been left untouched by the handicapper at his mark of 71 which makes him a top contender for his next start, presumably at his preferred Jebel Ali over a mile.
AH TAHAN (R5, 1st)
He lost his way after winning on debut at Sharjah last season, but he looks a different animal this campaign, having strengthened in his sophomore year. His progression may not stop here. Keep following this horse.