JEBEL Ali staged a six-race card on Saturday afternoon, highlighted by the track’s biggest race of the season, the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile.

It turned out that Shadwell not only sponsored the contest, but also supplied the winner, Fanaar.

Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan Al Maktoum was present to witness the victory. The race was won by Doug Watson for a fourth time, with the world famous blue and white silks carried to victory in the event for the sixth occasion.

Bred by Bakewell Bloodstock and Freynestown, the winner was settled in midfield by Dane O’Neill. A seven-year-old gelded son of Dark Angel, Fanaar loomed up behind the leaders inside the final two furlongs, soon striking for home. After that they never looked likely to be denied. This was a fifth career win for Fanaar, three of them at Jebel Ali since November.

Watson said: “He has been a star this season here at Jebel Ali, and it is great that Sheikha Hissa was here to support him. I am delighted for her, the horse and all my team.”

Minimum trip

A conditions contest over the minimum trip, the Jebel Ali Sprint Prep Trophy, attracted a field of nine. Early leader, Meshakel, was joined approaching the final furlong by Alkaraama, Royal Commando and Story Of Light. Meshakel dropped away, and Alkaraama’s effort petered out with half a furlong to go.

Meanwhile, Royal Commando battled away but was never going to thwart Story Of Light, Ray Dawson in the saddle for Ahmad bin Harmash and Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi. A six-year-old Dark Angel gelding, the Godolphin-bred Story Of Light was winning for just the second time, but for the first time in the UAE and on dirt.

The card commenced with a seven-furlong handicap and, fresh from their Group 2 Blue Point Sprint glory with Miqyaas at Meydan the previous evening, Rashed Bouresly, Oscar Chavez and the Bouresly Racing Syndicate were sharing another success, Master Sergeant winning convincingly.

A Godolphin-bred four-year-old Shamardal gelding, he was having just his second local and dirt outing, and was a maiden after four starts.

Costa one-two

Only six contested a six-furlong maiden, and Michael Costa suppled the first two home for racecourse patron, Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Retained jockey Jean Van Overmeire was in control for the second half of the race, he and Mawthog being chased home by fellow debutant Keffaaf. One of a pair of three-year-olds in the field, the Echoes Of Heaven gelding was foaled and sourced in New Zealand.

Connections were soon celebrating a double, landing the following five-furlong handicap with Bilhayl, who was never going to be caught once hitting the front with two and a half furlongs remaining. A five-year-old son of Shamardal, bred by Godolphin, Bilhayl was shedding his maiden tag at the fifth attempt. It was his first outing over the minimum trip.

The concluding mile handicap was won in gritty fashion by Tolmount, Mickael Barzalona in the saddle for Salem bin Ghadayer and Hamad Rashed bin Ghadayer on this Godolphin-bred six-year-old son of Dubawi.

Double for Barzalona includes the feature on Deciduos

Meydan hosted a six-race afternoon card on Sunday, highlighted by a mile and a half turf handicap. It was won in great style by Deciduous, confidently partnered by Mickael Barzalona for Salem bin Ghadayer in the colours of Salem Rashid Ghadayer.

The four-year-old gelded son of Dubawi was seemingly cantering entering the straight, but inside the two-furlong marker the gaps closed, and Barzalona had to edge out to make his challenge. Once the horse saw daylight he eased to the front, scoring comfortably. He has now won half his six starts.

The jockey was back in the winner’s enclosure after the following nine-furlong turf handicap, again always looking confident aboard local debutant Stormy Ocean, having his first start for Rabbah Racing and since joining training duo Simon and Ed Crisford. The four-year-old gelded son of Frankel went to the front effortlessly more than a furlong from home and never appeared in any danger.

Formerly trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, winning once over a mile on the Newcastle all-weather, this was just his seventh career start.

Breaking smartly from the stalls assured Torrkee a prominent position in the opening six-furlong turf maiden, and he was probably never headed under Jean Van Overmeire for Michael Costa and Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The five-year-old Myboycharlie gelding was opening his winning account at the ninth attempt.

Connections were soon celebrating a quick double after the following nine and a half furlong dirt maiden, Overmaire oozing confidence aboard Alhzeem.

Once a gap appeared, a furlong and a half from home, the five-year-old son of Liam’s Map shot through it and the race was over. The gelding was shedding his maiden tag at the sixth attempt.

The mile dirt handicap was won in gritty fashion by Falsehood, never headed under Antonio Fresu sporting the silks of Hamad Ali Hamad Al Hamroor for Musabbeh Al Mheiri. Bred by Godolphin, the seven-year-old entire son of Kingman was winning for the third time, and second since joining Al Mheiri.

He made a winning debut for the yard, over this course and distance, last November.

The concluding seven-furlong turf handicap was a thriller, the first three separated by a pair of necks, Bernardo Pinheiro and RRR Racing’s Ra’Ad, saddled by double scoring Musabbeh Al Mheiri, denying Costa and his Jebel Ali team a treble with Saadeed. The winner is a six-year-old son of Twirling Candy.