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Rookie trainer Mubarak Bin Shafya and Emirati apprentice Ahmed Ajtebi completed the Group 1 turf double and, in the process, stole the show on Dubai World Cup night when Eastern Anthem scored in a thrilling finish to the Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by Nakheel.

Just 45 minutes earlier they’d claimed the Dubai Duty Free with Gladiatorus and the wins came with spectacular and contrasting rides from Ajtebi who, tonight, left no doubt that he belongs on racing’s biggest stage.

Eastern Anthem came from last in the field of 15 over the 2400 metres course with Atjebi timing his run to perfection after displaying his ability to rate a horse when he led throughout on Gladiatorus in the earlier feature.

“I had to get him switched off at the back and when I pulled him out, he really went for me,” said Ajtebi who screamed with delight as he rushed from the weigh-in to weigh out for the Dubai World Cup.

 “At the 200m pole, I thought we had it but with Jamie Spencer and Ryan Moore upsides with me we had to fight right to the finish.

“This is just fantastic. I can’t believe it,’ he said after the judge signalled his victory by the barest margin - a nose.

While many of the beaten jockeys complained of a lack of pace, such laments seem tenuous given that the winner came from so far back. The overall time was a slow 2:31.8 - more than four seconds outside the course record mark.

Spanish Moon, for Sir Michael Stoute, and Luca Cumani’s Purple Moon filled the placings (in that order) after stalking the leader Front House from the outset.

Spanish Moon ran bravely at his first appearance since November while Purple Moon was condemned to yet another placing in a major race - following his Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong International Vase seconds in the past two years.

Purple Moon’s placing followed stablemate Presvis running a gallant second in the Dubai Duty Free. The two Cumani horses earned $1.5 million in prizemoney tonight so the extended Dubai campaign could hardly be deemed unsuccessful.

The dual Arc runner-up Youmzain was a solid finishing fourth after striking trouble in the run.

“The pace was too slow. I went for a run in the straight and got stopped,’ said Youmzain’s jockey Richard Hills. The stallion has run second, fifth and now fourth in his three Sheema Classic appearances.

The Dubai Duty Free was a truly Emirati victory with apprentice rider Ahmed Ajtebi completing a remarkable rise through the jockey ranks to partner Gladiatorus to an astonishing victory.

Prepared by first-season trainer Mubarak bin Shafya, and owned by His Excellency Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the pillar-to-post home victory was heralded with a huge roar from the Nad Al Sheba crown.

Ex-camel jockey Ajtebi was persuaded to try his hand at riding racehorses by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who pointed out that while there were top UAE trainers and owners, there were no UAE riders in the same bracket.

So four years ago he had his first public ride on a thoroughbred and has not stopped surprising everyone since, culminating with this aggressive ride, which saw the four-year-old open up a huge lead rounding the final bend.

While his pursuers tried to catch the trailblazer, it was soon apparent that their hopes were in vain.

The 21-year-old, who punched the air in celebration, declared: “I always said I wanted the UAE to be proud of me and I hope the country is now.

“We were always going to attack from the front as that’s how he won last time. This is a dream come true and I am so grateful to everyone in helping me get where I am now.”

British hope Presvis was at the back of the 16-strong field for most of the trip but absolutely flew home in the closing stages to take second, three and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

Alexandros continued Godolphin’s run of at least in a placed finish in all the preceding thoroughbred races, in finishing third, while the Australian challenger Niconero was fourth after finding trouble in running.

Big City Man was never far off the pace and held off a stout challenge from the champion filly Indian Blessing to win the US$2million Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News. The margin of victory was 1¼ lengths. Diabolical finished third, five lengths behind Indian Blessing in the 12-horse field.

The winner was ridden by Jose Verenzuela in the 1,200m Group 1. Trained by Jerry Barton, Big City Man is owned by Prince Sultan Mohd Al Kabeer. The 4-year-old American-bred is by Northern Afleet out of the Valid Appeal mare Mini Appeal.

The final time was 1:08.93 over the dirt track that was listed as fast.

Big City Man prepped for the Dubai Golden Shaheen by finishing second to Gayego, who earlier on the Dubai World Cup card was second in the Godolphin Mile, in the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Thursday during Dubai International Racing Carnival. Diabolical was third in that race.

It was the first win for Barton on a Dubai World Cup card.

“I’ve gone close several times on Dubai World Cup night,” Barton said. “But to win is beyond my wildest dreams. I have been in Saudi Arabia 10 years and it always has been my goal to land a big one in Dubai. Prince Sultan Mohd Saud Al Kabeer can’t be here tonight but his sons are and we have a celebration that will go on to the early hours. People say I should take him to the Breeders’ Cup, but that will be up to the Prince.”

Verenzuela said the race unfolded perfectly.

“We talked the race through this morning and it went absolutely perfectly,” Verenzuela said. “I was up with the pace on the far side and I kicked before the 200-meter mark and he quickened up like I thought he would.

“I knew the filly would come and I looked across and saw her getting closer and closer. But my fella has a big heart and held on bravely. Jerry has been a big supporter of me—and we went to Saudi at the same time— and I couldn’t be happier.”

Prior to coming to Dubai, the Florida-bred raced in the United States, where he was a stakes winner as a 2-year-old at Calder Race Course. Big City Man did not race as a 3-year-old.

At Nad Al Sheba, Big City Man now has three wins from four outs.

After much deliberation, the judges were finally able to choose the winners of each of the four categories.

Style Stakes Lady: Olivia Hague

US$8,000 worth of gift vouchers from BurJuman.

Two nights stay for two people including breakfast in Banyan Tree Bangkok & three nights stay including breakfast in Banyan Tree Phuket Pool Villa, including two return tickets to Thailand from Dubai Racing Club. There is also a make-over by professional make-up company FACE Stockholm followed by a professional photo session at the Cherie of Beverly Hills Studio, worth AED6,000.

Runner up: Nadia Rodicheva

US$5,000 worth of gift vouchers from BurJuman.

Style Stakes Couple: David Burgess and Abi Ferreira

US$6,000 worth of gift vouchers from BurJuman

Dinner for two at Angsana Dubai from Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. There is also a make-over by professional make-up company FACE Stockholm followed by a professional photo session at the Cherie of Beverly Hills Studio, worth AED6,000.

Style Stakes Hat: Lisa Balsom

US$5,000 worth of gift vouchers from BurJuman and Spa treatment in Angsana Spa from Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts.

FACE of the Day: Nadia Rodicheva

Skincare and make-up vouchers from FACE Stockholm, redeemable at Wafi, Old Town or Dubai Mall, and make-over followed by a professional photo session at the Cherie of Beverly Hills Studio, worth AED8,000.

Godolphin repeated their feat in the Mile when sending out a second successive one-two in the UAE Derby, but it was the least fancied of the trio, Regal Ransom, who emerged triumphant, outgunning hot-favourite Desert Party by half a length, with the rest 15 lengths and more adrift.

Whereas Frankie Dettori was mystified at the defeat of the favourite – “we beat Regal Ransom by four and three-quarter lengths in the UAE 2000 Guineas, but he ran flat tonight and I could never get to him. I was only half a length down at the two-furlong pole, but he had no fizz” – Peru-born Alan Garcia, who rode the winner, was ecstatic.

Garcia said:”I won on my first Breeders Cup ride, Lahudood in Filly & Mare Turf 18 months ago, and now I’ve done the same at the World Cup meeting. This is an awesome place, but I know the horse well as I won on it at Saratoga and I was delighted when Kiaran McLaughlin recommended me for the ride tonight.

“Regal Ransom enjoyed being out in front, and, though I saw Frankie coming, I knew I had more horse left, and he found a little extra.”

The original plan had been to send Desert Party to America on the first Saturday in May for the Kentucky Derby, but trainer Saeed bin Suroor said that they would regroup before making a decision on Churchill Downs.

In a forceful show of power, Godolphin’s Two Step Salsa and Gayego more than lived up to their status as favorites in the US$1 million Godolphin Mile, leaving the rest of the field behind them as they cantered down the stretch as much the best.

With Frankie Dettori in the irons, Two Step Salsa broke near the front from the four post and went head and head with English-based Cat Junior before claiming the early lead.

Turning for home, the American-bred Two Step Salsa put that rival away and sprinted for the wire with fellow American-bred and –raced Gayego in pursuit from the outside after starting from post 13.

Two Step Salsa’s early advantage proved too much for Gayego to overcome, however, and he and Dettori swept under the finish line for a 2¼-length victory, the first for Godolphin after the powerful stable of the Maktoum family had been blanked on the Dubai World Cup program for the last two years. Time for the race was 1:36.82.

“I was lucky that they allowed me a soft lead in front and nothing was snapping at my heels, but this is a good horse and he quickened up really well. I hoped I was on the right one and fortunately I was,” Dettori said.

“The winner just had that bit more foot,” said Gayego’s jockey Ted Durcan.

Godolphin’s win marked the eighth for the stable in 14 runnings of the Mile. Racing Manager Simon Crisford said both Two Step Salsa and Gayego would be returned to the United States for the Metropolitan Mile, a prestigious Grade 1 race at Belmont Park, this spring.

Crisford said both horses have been training well and that the post positions probably made the difference at the end.

Saudi Arabia’s representative Don Renato closed well to be third in the race under Wigberto Ramos, 1 ¾ lengths behind Gaygo and a short head in front of Summer Doldrums.

Ends

Rod Simpson’s purebred Arabian, Fryvolous, became the first horse in the winner’s enclosure on Dubai World Cup night after overcoming a poor draw in stall 11 to take the USD $250,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic, sponsored by EMAAR.

The heavens opened just before the race and Simpson was left alone in the paddock as the parade-ring crowd retreated to shelter.

But they soon emerged into the damp as six-year-old Fryvolous, under jockey Daragh O’Donohoe, made it look easy, effortlessly passing the Qatari horse, Nil Blank on the bend and was never headed thereafter.

“This horse is pure class and the jockey gave it some ride,” said a tearful Simpson. “Daragh O’Donohoe should have been champion jockey and he is now in my eyes.”

Fryvolous answered any doubts as to his staying power over the 2,000m distance, although the trainer had said he wasn’t concerned about the trip.

“He travelled great but I wasn’t sure that he would get the trip though Rod was never in any doubt,” said O’Donohoe, who had recovered from a knee injury in time for the big race. “So I took my time and when I pressed the button, whoosh, he took off.”

Nil Blanc, ridden by Adrie de Vries, and prepared by Rashid Al Jehani, was second while Doug Watson’s grey, Paris Gagner under Richard Hills took third and Amoking, trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe with Emirati jockey Ahmed Ajtebi in the saddle, got fourth.

A record field of 14 will face the starter for the 2009 Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline and the final renewal of the US$6million world’s richest race to be staged at Nad Al Sheba.  

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Albertus Maximus looks certain to start favourite and, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, represents the same owner/trainer combination as 2007 winner Invasor. McLaughlin is looking forward to it: “The horse has really settled in well and is a very nice horse and one who has to have a big chance. His stamina has been questioned but we think he will stay.” 

Asiatic Boy is a Nad Al Sheba regular and arguably has ‘home advantage’ and won over the same 2000m dirt course and distance last time. His trainer, Mike De Kock, hopes his star can go one better than last year when chasing home Curlin. He said: “This has been his target ever since he crossed the line behind Curlin. Fingers crossed he arrives at the top of his game and he has to go close.” 

Japan’s Casino Drive, local hopes Asiatic Boy and Snaafy, as well as a Saudi Arabia’s Muller could prove best of the rest.  

The Dubai World Cup is one of four Group 1 Thoroughbred races on the card with the two turf features, the Dubai Sheema Classic and Dubai Duty Free, both worth $5million.

The Dubai Sheema Classic, over 2400m, is sponsored by Nakheel and a case could be made for all 15 runners. The likes of Quijano (Germany), Doctor Dino (France), Red Rocks (USA) and Youmzain (UK) have all contested the race before with three places between them.

They face a tough ‘new crop’ this year though with De Kock again well represented and jockey bookings suggest Front House and King of Rome to be his best hopes.

A pair of moons from the UK, Sir Michael Stoute’s Spanish Moon and Purple Moon for Luca Cumani, look serious contenders in a wide open race. Francesca Cumani, daughter of Luca, said of their runner: “He has been here since December and settled in quickly. We were pleased with his first run and he is working well.”

The latter turf race on the card, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, is a 1777m contest and a maximum quality field of 16 have been declared. It looks wide open with last year’s winner Jay Peg, trained by Herman Brown, one of several leading contenders representing South Africa.

Brown said: “As we saw last year the horse takes a few races to reach peak fitness – hopefully he has now but, again, he has a wide draw to overcome.”

Compatriot De Kock looks to have a strong hand with Bankable joined by Archipenko, last year’s third.

Vodka, from Japan, was fourth last year and has to be feared, along with UK hopes Paco Boy and Presvis, as well as local runners Balius and Gladiatorus and you can never discount Godolphin who have Creachadoir and Lady Marian. With America and Australia also represented, it is a truly international affair.  

The fourth Group 1 Thoroughbred race is on the dirt and the 1200m Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News has become something of an American benefit in recent years. Their Indian Blessing will be favourite this year but Saudi Arabia’s Big City Man, Doug Watson’s Force Freeze and Godolphin’s Diabolical are just three who could challenge the Americans.

Godolphin would appear to have a very strong hand in the remaining two Thoroughbred races, both of which carry Group 2 status and are on dirt. The UAE Derby, sponsored by Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group and over 1800m, will see their Desert Party start a very warm favourite, while Two Step Salsa and Gayego, their two Godolphin Mile runners, could well fight out the finish. Sponsored by Etisalat, as the name suggests, that race is over 1600m.  

The afternoon opens with the sole Purebred Arabian contest and the Dubai Kahayla Classic is over the same 2000m dirt course as the Dubai World Cup. Sponsored by EMAAR, it has been won by some equine luminaries over the years but this year’s race does not look the strongest. If he stays the trip, Rod Simpson’s Fryvolous will be the one to beat and the trainer is bullish: “His best local form may be over a mile but he has won over further in America. We have freshened him up nicely for this race and whatever beats him wins the races.”

Ends

Dubai’s Golden Shaheen contender, Balthazaar’s Gift, is untested on dirt, but his trainer, Rod Simpson is confident his charge can handle the surface. 

Simpson, who also saddles purebred Arabian, Fryvolous, in the Dubai Kahayla Classic, believes he has two live chances Saturday night. 

It’s a relief for Simpson to get Balthazaar’s Gift to the track. Three weeks ago the sprinter bruised himself after getting cast and his regular jockey, Daragh O’Donohoe, injured his knee during a race.  

“We were going to run Balthazaar’s Gift in the Dubai International Racing Carnival dirt race and he got cast and hurt himself and I wasn’t going to risk running him,” said Simpson. “We’ve just kept him ticking over and he’s really flying now. He’s back to 100 per cent.” 

Adding to Simpson’s pre-race anticipation is the fact that his charge, which won by a nose over six-and-a-half furlongs on turf at Nad al Sheba, was drawn in stall eight.  

“I’m delighted with that,” he said. “He got a great draw and has been training very well since his last run in February. But Fryvolous unfortunately didn’t do so well being in stall 11, but that’s how it goes. I’m not too concerned though. Fryvolous can handle that. 

“I’ve had some people say Fryvolus can’t go the 10 furlongs distance but those people haven’t studied the form book. He won over further in America, so without a doubt he can go the distance.

” Someone else who will be hoping Fryvolous can go the distance is O’Donohoe, who like his other ride, Balthazaar’s Gift, has now recovered from his knock in time to race on the big day. 

“I’m fine now but it was sore at the time,” said the jockey, explaining he had banged his knee on the railing during a race. “I’ve ridden Balthazaar’s Gift on the dirt at Nad al Sheba just to get him familiar with it and he walked out really well. He’s a big horse and he can handle it. 

Simpson’s biggest worry now is making sure his two charges and his jockey stay sound until post time. 

“It’s very nervy,” said Simpson, who admits to butterflies in the stomach. “It’s the same for every trainer – you wake in the morning and go and check on them.  

 “I’ve asked Daragh’s wife to put cotton wool down around the house because I don’t want him getting injured and I’m even debating whether to swim Fryvolous tonight; he loves it but I don’t know whether to risk it.”

What does it feel like to sit on the back of Dubai World Cup favourite Albertus Maximus? 

The man who knows the horse as well as anyone from that perspective is exercise rider Rob Massey, who has faced the formidable challenge of trying to contain the explosive energy of the muscled bay powerhouse for the past week. 

“I’m basically just a passenger,” Massey said modestly of his crucial role in keeping the horse fit and sharpening his speed without letting him do too much prior to the race. “He’s very intelligent and he’s finding his way around Nad al Sheba very nicely.” 

But anyone who has seen Albertus Maximus pulling against Massey, with his forelegs reaching out so high that it almost appears he is leaping off the ground when flashing through the turn into the backstretch, knows that the 35-year-old former steeplechase jockey has had his hands full. When asked how he keeps Albertus Maximus from extending himself too far, he said:

“I just sit still; I don’t move. I just let him find his best stride. When he gets his lead change, then usually he settles down.

“The worst thing you can do is panic,” he added. “He’s very professional and he just wants to do his job.

” While Massey has helped Albertus Maximus complete his job of preparing for the Dubai World Cup, his own work has not gone unnoticed.

“Rob has done an unbelievable job with this horse all week,” said Trish McLaughlin, the assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin who has supervised Albertus Maximus since his arrival in Dubai on March 18. “He is so nice and relaxed on a horse, but he can also hold one. Since we’ve been in Dubai, he’s just been great.” 

Born in England 35 years ago, Massey worked as a professional jump jockey in that country before moving to the United States in 2000. He rose to the highest level when riding Flat Top to victory in the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase but noted wryly of his dangerous former occupation that “you can’t do that forever.” 

Massey was hired as an exercise rider by Kiaran McLaughlin several years ago, not knowing that he had just set himself on a path that would put him atop the favorite for the US$6 million Dubai World Cup. When McLaughlin’s main patron, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, purchased Albertus Maximus last fall after he won  the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, the trainer assigned Massey to take over primary exercise riding chores. 

“I’ve been in the right place at the right time,” said Massey, who is visiting Dubai for the first time. “I’ve been fortunate all the way through.”

 When Massey got off Albertus Maximus on Friday morning, he took a deep breath of contentment, knowing that he and the horse had done what they had been asked in the best possible way. He could sleep more peacefully knowing he would no longer have to summon all his strength and skill to contain the energy that the McLaughlin team hopes will be released in a victorious run on Saturday.  

Albertus Maximus trained with more focus each day, with Friday the best of the week, Massey said, which is just what anyone would want for a horse about to compete in the world’s richest race. “We can’t do anymore with him,” Massey said. “The rest is up to him.” 

Ends