3 minute read

The first of the thoroughbred races, the Dukhan Sprint over 1200m, went to the locals despite the raiders being fancied.

Dark Pursuit, trained by Stefano Ibido, won with Luca Maniezzi riding.  During the week Ibido said he had to leave a function early as he had to be at the track at 2.30 am to which a colleague added that he was the one who turned the lights on!  Asked after the race if the result had made it worthwhile he concurred saying he could always do it if it brought him results like this win.

Hollie Doyle tried to get across from Gate 14 on Maystar in the Mile but they were unable to get in and in the end Oisin Murphy got his first win of the festival on Sir Arthur Dayne with a horse called Think Big in second.  Happy Bere was 5th.

The H.H. The Amir Shalfa went to the Fabrice Chappet trained Al Mahlouf with Christophe Soumillon on board.  We reminded the trainer that Mahlouf was a distinguished Aussie name so the horse duly obliged.

Soumillon rode a double when Lady Princess took out the Silver Sword by a runaway 10 lengths.

The Amir Trophy went as expected to French King with the American Standard Deviation second, Pedro Cara third, Noor Al Halwa fourth, Royal Julius fifth and Mr Satchmo sixth.  Mr Satchmo was up on the pace tracking French King but didn't have the turn of foot to keep out the swoopers.

And it was all Ebraz in the Amir Sword – a phenomenal record.H H