Al Muhairi To Defend Record In Jebel Ali's Biggest Races

Musabah Al Muhairi has won his fair share of Dubai World Cup Carnival races over the years, but it was success in the three biggest races on Jebel Ali Racecourse’s uphill dirt that brings the Emirati the most pleasure.

Last term Al Muhairi claimed a unique treble and set a new UAE record when he triumphed in all three of Jebel Ali’s biggest races along with stable jockey Wayne Smith and owner, Fathi Esaed Mohammed Egziama.

Treble Jig got the ball rolling when he took the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes and what was then the Listed Jebel Ali Mile now Group 3) in January. And Russian Rock gave Al Muhairi a clean sweep of the Jebel Ali features when he won the Listed Sprint in March.

This season, Al Muhairi said the plan is to target both horses at the same races in a bid to retain his crown.

“They are both going well in training and to be honest I would say they are both of the same standard as last season and if not even better,” said the Emirati handler who is based at Oasis 1 Stables behind Meydan Racecourse. “It is still early in the season and they will come on as the season continues, but I am pleased with them both at the moment.”

Racing fans didn’t have to wait long to become reacquainted with Oasis 1 Stables’ old favourite, Celtic King, who made his seasonal debut Jebel Ali last Friday – a meeting that proved a rich hunting ground for Al Muhairi’s team.

Celtic King, the nine-year-old campaigner, ran fourth over a 1,000m trip that was short of his best distance but served as a good prep run.

But it was Mashaaref’s easy victory over a 1,600m handicap that showed the yard is in great early-season form, with the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum-owned charge breaking the course record under jockey, Wayne Smith.

Al Muhairi’s Straight Talk also came home a winner in the closing 1,400m handicap.
As well as much success at Jebel Ali over the years, Al Muhairi, who has 52 horses in his yard, notably conditioned 2009 Dubai World Cup runner, Snaafy.

The progressive Snaafy rose through the ratings in 2009 to also claim the 2009 Group 3 Burj Nahar and won three other Carnival races over the season.

“Snaafy was the big star of that season for us,” said Al Muhairi of the Sheikh Hamdan owned horse. “He kept on improving throughout the season and in the end earned a place in the big race.”
Al Muhairi’s first Meydan Racecourse runners on November 8 are expected to be Carnival winner, Trojan Nights, possibly Musaafer and Maltese Cat.