US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a “pre-emptive” strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons. The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East.
Veteran racing broadcaster Derek Thompson was at Meydan on Saturday and said “bangs and flashes” were visible.
“I've been in Dubai a few days now and I did think the meeting might be called off, but I rang the boss of the racecourse before racing and he said it was going ahead and wanted me to spread the word,” said Thompson.
“It's great to be racing but, speaking personally, it's a very difficult situation and people are discussing it. While we've been at the racecourse tonight there have been bangs and flashes, and we hear one of the big hotels has been set on fire.
“I was due to fly back tomorrow but, obviously, that has been delayed. Apparently, there's a 72-hour delay. We're trying to stay calm, but it is a worrying time for everyone.”
He added, “I've been talking to Sheikh Mohammed after his brother's horse won. He's a great leader of this country and it was lovely to see him here. He's not getting any younger, he's in his 70s, but people support him.”
Rebel’s Romance wins Group 2 in 21st career victory
Sheikh Mohammed was among the winners on Super Saturday when the marvel that is Rebel's Romance (Dubawi) added a 21st success to his remarkable CV in the G2 Dubai City Of Gold sponsored by emirates.com.
With Godolphin and Charlie Appleby at risk of drawing a blank on a card they have so often dominated through the years, it was up to the evergreen 8-year-old to reprise his rescue act from Royal Ascot last year when getting them on the scoresheet with a hard-fought defeat of the progressive Fort George (Territories), ultimately beating that rival by 1.5 lengths.
“I just want him to get round safely these days,” said Appleby. “He means a lot and it's very emotional. He's getting older so we'll take it race by race, but we wanted him to show everyone what a great racehorse he is and, thankfully, he's done it again tonight. The Sheema Classic is a nice conversation to have, but he is getting older and I'll look after the old boy.”
“He's (Rebel's Romance) getting older so we'll take it race by race, but we wanted him to show everyone what a great racehorse he is and, thankfully, he's done it again tonight.” - Charlie Appleby
He added, “It's great for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to be here tonight with all his family.”
Crisfords big night out with treble
Rebel's Romance aside, Super Saturday was dominated by the Crisfords as the father-and-son training partnership swept all before them, with the success of the suitably-named Meydaan (Frankel) headlining a notable treble that left the Newmarket-based duo dreaming of World Cup night glory.
Sandwiched in between victories for stablemates Quddwah (Kingman) and Title Role (Too Darn Hot), Meydaan ran out an easy winner of the day's most valuable contest, the G2 Al Maktoum Classic sponsored by Emirates Airline. It was a first Group race success of any description for the son of Frankel following a number of placed efforts, including when third in last month's G3 Al Khail Trophy over 2800 metres of the Meydan turf.
On Saturday, the 5-year-old faced a very different challenge, dropping fully 800 metres in distance and making a belated debut on dirt, with the result being a career-best effort in the hands of William Buick. Benefiting from a charmed run against the rail as the field turned for home, he then picked up in style when seeing daylight with two furlongs to run, quickly getting to the girths of Walk Of Stars (Dubawi) before powering clear to register an emphatic win by 5.25 lengths. Tap Leader (Tapiture) was third, another three-quarter-lengths behind the runner-up.
“I thought they were very brave running in this race, but look what he (Meydaan) did.” - William Buick
“It was a brilliant move and it's really paid off,” said Buick. “I thought they were very brave running in this race, but look what he did. We were worried about him jumping slow on the inside, and he did, but they didn't go quick and he was never taken off his feet. He just came alive half-a-mile out and I was pretty impressed with what he did. He's proven he handles the track and you couldn't have asked for more from a trial (for the Dubai World Cup).”
William Buick | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
As well as it being a landmark day for the Crisfords, the first two legs of their treble, initiated by Quddwah in the G2 Singspiel Stakes sponsored by Emirates Airline, will have been particularly sweet for Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, with both winners being out of Group 1-winning mares who also ran in the familiar yellow and black silks of their owner-breeder.
Meydaan is out of the Pretty Polly Stakes scorer Nezwaah (Dubawi), while Quddwah's dam, Sajjhaa (King's Best), registered four consecutive victories at Meydan in the first part of 2013, notably winning the Jebel Hatta and Dubai Turf at the top level.
The Dubai Turf is now likely to be next on the agenda for Quddwah following his runaway success in the Singspiel Stakes, by 2.5 lengths from Dividend (Kodiac). It was a third victory at Group 2 level for the winner who was previously successful in the 2024 Summer Mile Stakes and the Zabeel Mile at Meydan last month.
“There was no pace early,” said Ed Crisford. “Ryan (Moore, jockey) had him in completely the right position, kicked for home coming off the bend, and he won really well. We'll see how he is, but the Dubai Turf will be the plan as he saw out the extra furlong well.”
Too Darn Hot double led by Guineas winner Title Role
Ryan Moore was in the saddle again as Title Role completed the treble for the Crisfords in the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas sponsored by Emirates Holidays which concluded the card.
The Listed contest was won 12 months ago by Ruling Court (Justify), who went on to win the 2
000 Guineas at Newmarket on his next start. On this occasion, however, Godolphin and Appleby had to settle for minor honours with Pacific Avenue (Dubawi) and Talk Of New York (Wootton Bassett). The latter had been highly touted following his debut victory at Kempton in October, but his inexperience was evident in this second start as he raced freely throughout.
At the line, the streetwise Title Role had a length to spare over Pacific Avenue as he followed up his win in last month's Jumeirah Guineas Trial, with Talk Of New York beaten another nose into third.
“All of the talk was about Charlie's horse (Talk Of New York), who had been training well, but we had the experience with two runs out here,” said Ed Crisford.
“There was a lot of pace on tonight and this horse is tough. We will take him back to the UK and I would quite like to take him to the Greenham at Newbury. He's entered in the French Guineas and he could be a Jersey sort of horse – there's options.”
Summing up a superb night for his team, Crisford added, “We had some big chances tonight but to have three winners on Super Saturday is just huge for our stable. We love Dubai and our horses love Dubai.”
“We had some big chances tonight but to have three winners on Super Saturday is just huge for our stable. We love Dubai and our horses love Dubai.” - Ed Crisford
Whilst having to settle for minor honours with Dark Saffron, jockey Connor Beasley and trainer Ahmad bin Harmash were already on the scoreboard by then having teamed up with Godolphin cast-off Native Approach (Too Darn Hot) to spring a surprise in the preceding G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint sponsored by Emirates Courier Express.
Winless since striking at Listed level at Meydan in December 2024, the 5-year-old proved well suited here by the drop back to 1200 metres, ultimately beating Run Boy Run (Rajasinghe) by 1.25 lengths as the small group who raced furthest from the stands dominated the finish. The Crisfords enjoyed another good result with Cover Up (Exceed And Exceel), who was a neck behind Run Boy Run in third, while Great Wish (Night Of Thunder) fared best of those who raced in the centre of the track in fourth.
“The plan will be the Al Quoz Sprint,” said bin Harmash. “We ran him at seven (furlongs) and we ran him at a mile, but he is so keen we can hardly saddle him. We were thinking to run in a handicap next week, but the speed he shows in the yard we thought we would try this. He travelled all the way so easy and won really well.”
Outsider Piana wins 1000 Guineas
In the Listed Jumeirah 1000 Guineas sponsored by Emirates Skywards which opened the card, longshot Piana (Zelzal) produced a power-packed finish to edge ahead in the final strides and deny William Knight's True Test (Time Test) by a head.
It was a first triumph at Meydan in the illustrious career of jockey Stephane Pasquier, while French trainer Nicolas Caullery was making a deserved breakthrough at this year's Carnival, having recently saddled another outsider, Riyabovka (Saxon Warrior), to finish second in the G2 Balanchine.
“It's easy to ride like this as I had a good draw number (1), so I travelled well and came inside. I'm very happy and proud to win here,” said Pasquier.
