Dubai Carnival kicks off on Thursday.

Dubai: The highly-anticipated sixth Dubai International Racing Carnival kicks off on Thursday with a feature racecard, sponsored by Shadwell Estate.

The programme is highlighted by the first rounds of both the Purebred Arabian and Thoroughbred versions of the Al Maktoum Challenge.

Both are run on dirt over 1,600 metres, the Purebred Arabian edition is a Group 1 race and the Thoroughbred edition is a Group 3.

Dubai Racing Club CEO Frank Gabriel Jr said: "We are pleased to welcome Shadwell Estate, who have been an ever-present sponsor at the Dubai International Racing Carnival and we thank them once again for their loyal and generous support.

"It promises to be a great start to the Carnival, and with South Africa, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, France and Ireland all represented, there is a very healthy international flavour to the proceedings."

Richard Lancaster, stud director added: "It is a great pleasure for Shadwell to be sponsoring again at Nad Al Sheba especially on the first night of the 2009 Dubai Carnival.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for us to see all our friends in Dubai and to make new ones.'

Tomorrow's meeting offers a number of hospitality options available to suit all tastes and budgets in both the Millennium Grandstand and the Maktoum Grandstand.

Entrance to the public area of the racecourse is free of charge and there are also complimentary transfers to and from Nad Al Sheba from Dubai Marina (by Spinneys), Arabian Ranches (Shopping complex), Wafi (in front of Pyramids) and Emirates Towers (Boulevard entrance by Cartier).

Buses will leave at 6pm from these locations, and return departures will be at 10pm from the racecourse

DUBAI// Tomorrow is the opening meeting of the 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival and by the time the last horse crosses the line in the world’s richest horse race, the US$6million (Dh22m) Dubai World Cup, on Saturday March 28, over $31m will have been distributed in prize money.

Not surprisingly, competition looks set to be the fiercest ever at this the sixth Carnival with more than 200 horses expected from all corners of the globe, to race against those based permanently here in the UAE.

Godolphin, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, head the ‘local’ challenge for the top honours, but the Maktoums also have horses in training with several other trainers in the UAE .

The likes of Doug Watson, Erwan Charpy, Ali Rashid Al Raihe, Musabah Al Muhairi, Dhruba Selvaratnam and Mubarak bin Shafya will all be hoping to supply winners at the 10 meetings of the Carnival.

The local trainers have a particularly good record in the dirt races and Watson and Charpy in particular appear to have strong teams this year for a wide range of owners – both local and international.

The international challenge is again headed by South Africa with Mike De Kock, the Carnival’s most successful trainer with 53 winners and eight World Cup night winners to his name, bringing his largest ever team of about 40 horses.

These include genuine Group 1 performers Archipenko and Eagle Mountain, both big race winners in Hong Kong since the last Carnival.

Also coming is Asiatic Boy, the only horse to win the UAE Triple Crown and runner-up in last year’s Dubai World Cup, and Honour Derby, who won the UAE Derby last year and will be looking for a repeat display.

De Kock said: “On paper it is certainly our best team and certainly the largest we have put together. The races get harder to win every year but we will be doing our best.”

Compatriot Herman Brown saddled Jay Peg to win the Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night last year and the same horse spearheads his assault this time – again with his largest ever team.

He said” “It will not be easy but we have some nice horses and can hopefully get some winners on the board.”

The Dubai International Racing Carnival commences Thursday with an exceptionally strong South African-trained contingent gathering for the $31 million extravaganza.

Having saddled three of the six Thoroughbred winners on World Cup night last year, as well as runner-up ASIATIC BOY (Not For Sale) in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) itself, the South Africans have a tough task to emulate last year's achievements, but trainers Mike de Kock and Herman Brown will have their biggest teams to date.

De Kock, the most successful Carnival trainer of all with 53 winners, including eight World Cup night winners, has about 40 horses based at Nad Al Sheba this season, including last year's UAE Derby (UAE-G2) winner HONOUR DEVIL (Honour and Glory) and Asiatic Boy, winner of that race in 2007. Both could clash in the 2009 World Cup according to their trainer.

"Asiatic Boy did not settle in the UK last year so we brought him back to Dubai early and he is a lot further ahead in his preparation than 12 months ago as a result," de Kock said. "He will probably contest the last two rounds of the Maktoum Challenge before the Dubai World Cup."

The second round of the Maktoum Challenge is a Group 3 event scheduled for February 5. The third round is a Group 2 event on March 5.

Both ARCHIPENKO (Kingmambo) and EAGLE MOUNTAIN (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]) who, like Asiatic Boy and Honour Devil, carry the ever more familiar predominantly yellow silks of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum, were Group 1 winners in Hong Kong last year and will be aimed at the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) and Sheema Classic (UAE-G1), respectively.

"Archipenko was unlucky in the Dubai Duty Free last year, while Eagle Mountain missed out through injury," de Kock said. "I am certain he stays the 12 furlongs for the Dubai Sheema Classic and both horses have shown how good they are in Europe, America and Hong Kong."

Proven Carnival performers like ROYAL VINTAGE (Rich Man's Gold), BENNIE BLUE (Rich Man's Gold), ENGRUPIDO (Potrillon), DRIFT ICE (Western Winter) and FROSTY SECRET (Put It Back) are joined by a plethora of new recruits including South African champion sprinter J J THE JET PLANE (Jet Master).

Herman Brown's 13 Carnival winners to date are undoubtedly highlighted by JAY PEG's (Camden Park) win in last year's Dubai Duty Free. With stable stalwart Linngari retired, Jay Peg is the obvious star name this year but Brown, too, has his largest ever team.

"We have more horses this year and hopefully it is our best team ever," Brown commented. "That said, the horses have arrived later this time which is not ideal and we may need a week or two to reach our peak. We have left a few here all summer to acclimatize, including ORACLE WEST (SAf) (Western Winter) who has been a great Carnival performer for Mike (de Kock).

"We have some nice new horses as well with (South African) Guineas (SAf-G1) and (South African) Derby winner KING'S GAMBIT (Silvano [Ger]) perhaps the most interesting from home. TRAFFIC GUARD (More Than Ready) has been here before and did well in Europe, while MOURILYAN (Ire) (Desert Prince [Ire]) won two here for John Oxx last season."

RACECAR RHAPSODY (Tale of the Cat) from the United States, LIPOCCO (Piccolo) from Britain and BASALTICO (Shantou) from Italy are three others given a favorable mention, but it would not be a surprise if further names are added to the Brown team in the coming weeks with his owners looking to strengthen their hand.

Plenty South African interest on tonights card to open the carnival.

Race 2 - Inca Noble (Shea/De Kock)
Race 2 - Happy Spirit (Brown)

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Race 3 - India Tiberina (Shea/De Kock)

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Race 4 - Silver Mist (Shea/De Kock)
Race 4 - Grand Vista (Latham/Brown)

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Race 5 - Brave Tin Soldier (Shea/De Kock)

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Race 6 - Jet Express
Race 6 - Royal Vintage (Shea/De Kock)
Race 6 - Trinity College (De Kock)
Race 6 - Frosty Secret (Latham/De Kock)
Race 6 - Art Of War (De Kock)

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Race 7 - Engrupido (Shea/De Kock)
Race 7 - Varsity (Latham)
Race 7 - Bennie Blue (De Kock) -> reserve runner

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SAf-breds in bold

Will be watching run of Silver Mist with interest, clearly MDK thinks he's got something to offer and he's always been a favourite of mine, never disgraced in the top races in SA last year, ran on well in Dbn July. Will probably have a nibble if a decent price.

GO MDK!

Attached files [img]/wp-content/uploads/attachments/89970=228-BATTLE COMMENCE.jpg[/img]

scotia did you read my post in how to post a pic?

Probably, but I have a photographic memory, I forget things in a flash!!!

JAY PEG in line to run 22nd and DESERT LINKS the 29th.....

When is JJ running? Love that horse!

UK Newmarket???

Help Possum - lol!

Happy Boy stars as Carnival gets under way


Preview: Dubai,

Nad Al Sheba: Maktoum Challenge (Group 3) 1m dirt

THE 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival commences at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday evening with six thoroughbred races, highlighted by the opening round of the Group 3 Maktoum Challenge.

Run on dirt, the Maktoum Challenge over 1m has attracted a field of 12, with last year's winner Happy Boy making his first start for fledgling trainer Mubarak Bin Shafya. No horse has won the race twice though and Happy Boy's subsequent outings for Godolphin last year were not of the same standard he displayed when routing his field on this night last year.



His nearest pursuer, the reopposing Gloria De Campeao, was nine lengths in arrears and Pascal Bary's six-year-old was to fill the runner-up's berth on his two subsequent UAE outings, before being outclassed in the Dubai World Cup behind Curlin. Frosty Secret (third), Etihaad (fourth), Golden Arrow (sixth) and Jet Express (eighth) are all back for another crack.



Golden Arrow, third in 2007, is a course-and-distance winner already this season, while Doug Watson's Green Coast is another with a win on the board having made all over a furlong less in a handicap.

Frosty Secret is one of four saddled by the carnival's most successful trainer, South African Mike De Kock and stable jockeyKevin Shea partners Royal Vintage on whom he was runner-up in both the UAE 2,000 Guineas and Derby last year, as well as winning the Al Bastakiya.

Jerry Barton had a double last week and his Don Renato was an excellent third over course and distance in last year's Godolphin Mile on World Cup night, while Saeed Bin Suroor has won this race five times (but not since 2001) and relies on My Indy who has reportedly thrived over the summer.



What they say:

Royston Ffrench, jockey of Jet Express

"Obviously it is a big ask but he is in great form and entitled to take his chance in a wide open contest."



Mike De Kock, trainer of Royal Vintage, Trinity College, Art of War and Frosty Secret

"Royal Vintage has a touch of class but has not done as much work as the others having been gelded in the UK where he disappointed us. He has worked well though and will be competitive.

"Frosty Secret was third last year when he perhaps did not quite stay, while Trinity College would find the mile his minimum trip. Art of War had one dirt run at home and won very easily but he has only been here a month and will come on for the run whatever he achieves."



Stephane Chevalier, assistant to Jerry Barton, trainer of Don Renato

"We know course and distance suit him and he has looked good in his work. Hopefully he can go close."



Erwan Charpy, trainer of Golden Arrow

"He is in great shape but the handicapper has rather forced me to run here and not in a handicap. It looks a tough race but he will run well."



Wayne Smith, jockey of Etihaad

"His best ever run was in this race last year but he does appear to face a stiff task according to the ratings."



Doug Watson, trainer of Green Coast

"He has worked well since winning on his seasonal debut and we hope he is still improving with racing but this looks a good renewal."



Ahmad Ajtebi, jockey of Happy Boy

"Obviously he won last year and we are hoping for a big run on his first start for us."



Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of My Indy

"He has done very well over the summer and seems a better horse than last year. He will come on for the run but isa nice horse who is ready to put up a big showing."



Pascal Bary, trainer of Gloria De Campeao

"We gave him plenty of time to recover from last year's Carnival exertions and he returns to Dubai having raced in France in early October - exactly the same as last year. He was an excellent second in this last year but this could be a better race."