Musical Dancer dominates Shadwell Stakes

Amidst the vibrant tapestry of festive cheer, Bhupat Seemar’s Musical Dancer orchestrated a masterful performance in the Shadwell Stakes, sponsored by Shadwell, during the fifth meeting of the Jebel Ali Racecourse on Saturday.

The Dubawi son under Tadhg O’Shea made the rivals dance to his tunes in the feature and won the race by more than two lengths from Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s Jahoori, covering the 1950metres in 1:59.14.

Michael Costa-trained Yotarid delivered a stunning performance in the Al Shafar Investment Stakes, sponsored by Al Shafar Group.

With Ben Coen in the saddle, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Yotarid outpaced Mheiri’s Haasim. For a split second, it looked as if Haasim might snatch victory, but son of Shamardal dug deep, finding an extra surge of energy just meters before the finish line.

Mohamed Al Ahmed, General Manager of Jebel Ali Racecourse, said: “It brings me immense joy to witness such an incredible turnout for the final race meeting of the year here at Jebel Ali Racecourse.

“Welcoming over 9,000 passionate fans is a testament to the love the community holds for this prestigious venue.

“The energy and excitement in the air were truly unmatched, and it was particularly heartening to see such a strong representation of international runners, adding an extra layer of competitive spirit to the day’s events.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our valued partners and sponsors for their unwavering support.

“We celebrated the festive season under the vibrant theme of ‘Glorious Saturday Fest,’ a concept that perfectly captured the joyous essence of the occasion. “Looking ahead, I am thrilled to announce that our theme-based racing concept will continue, with our next event scheduled for January 4, 2025. These thematic celebrations not only enhance the race day experience but also strengthen the unique character of Jebel Ali Racecourse.

“Finally, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Higher Organising Committee for their relentless dedication and vision. Their leadership and commitment remain the driving force behind the continued success of these spectacular events,” Mohamed added.

Earlier, the action began with the Wathba Stallions Cup, which was dedicated to the Purebred Arabians.

Oxford, trained by Abdallah Al Hammadi, under Qais Al Busaidi, outlasted Al Asayl’s Mizna.

Clocking a time of 2:12.43, he crossed the finish mere few lengths ahead of his closest rival.

Trained by Dennis O’Brien, Mizna fought valiantly, narrowly missing victory with a time of 2:12.50.

Torivega, owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, won the NW2 Stakes, sponsored by the Emirates Sprint Series.

Following a sharp burst of pace with Bernardo Pinheiro in the iron, Salem Bin Ghadayer-trained Torivega surged ahead, clocking an impressive time of 1:11.93, securing a decisive victory by almost three lengths. Behind him, Energetic pushed hard to close the gap. Despite a valiant effort, he settled for second place.

Motriff won the Al Redha Insurance Stakes. Ridden by Busaidi and trained by Mohammed Al Mahrooqi, Motriff overcame the Alsayef’s challenge.

Ghadayer and Pinheiro completed a double when Exculpation prevailed in a close finish in the Commercial Bank of Dubai Stakes, which was sponsored by Commercial Bank of Dubai.

“It’s an absolute delight to be here at the iconic Jebel Ali Racecourse, a venue renowned not only for its thrilling races but also for its vibrant, party-like atmosphere,” said Aisha Almazrouei, Head of Human Resources and Emiratisation at Commercial Bank of Dubai.

“The Commercial Bank of Dubai takes immense pride in being associated with Jebel Ali. Our partnership with Jebel Ali Racecourse represents a shared commitment to excellence, tradition, and community spirit. We look forward to continuing this enduring relationship,” she added.

The Al Awir Stakes provided a fitting finale to the fifth meeting as Mheiri-trained Algernon produced a commanding performance to claim victory in the final race of the day.

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor