Brotherly Love stars in Dubai Racing Carnival

The internationals got off the mark on the opening night of the Dubai Racing Carnival when Brotherly Love struck in the featured Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (sponsored by Emirates Airline) for British trainer Jamie Osborne.

Fourth in the G2 UAE Derby when last seen, the three-year-old was gelded over the summer and was dropping into handicap company for the first time. Ridden by Danny Tudhope, he came home much the best, beating Sirocco Winds by five and a quarter lengths.

There won’t be many more popular winners all season than Colour Up, the veteran eight-year-old collecting his first Meydan win since 2023 in the opening Emirates Airline Conditions Stakes.

Ridden by Pat Dobbs, the Doug Watson-trained gelding had to battle hard to see off the determined Ma Yetal but prevailed by half a length.

“He’s more of a family member now,” said owner Sayed Hashish. “We’ve had him since he was two and now he’s eight. I knew that he travelled well and that Pat was taking his time and, once he changed leads, he went.

“I’m over the moon. He’s run in so many good races but he hasn’t won for a while. We started him earlier than usual, so he might still have some fitness to gain, but all credit goes to Doug and the team.”

It was a landmark evening for French jockey Jules Mobian, who picked up his first Meydan win when Desert Horizon took the Emirates Holidays Handicap.

Trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, the six-year-old was a game three-quarter-length winner over Injazati, recording his third career success.

“I’m very happy, it’s my first win here,” said Mobian. “Honestly, I was worried at the beginning because I didn’t think he had enough speed to get a good position. I know this horse, he has one pace and he just keeps going, and he was strong at the end. In the morning he was working well, so we were confident about his fitness. I’m living the dream. I’m super happy!”

Trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash has always had a high opinion of Union Security and the colt won on opening night for the second season in a row, taking the three-year-olds’ Emirates Skywards Conditions Stakes in the hands of Connor Beasley.

It was a facile win for the son of Maximum Security, who travelled up with the pace in the 1400-metre contest and powered away for a five-length victory over Magic Art.

Two-year-old Ops made his first start a winning one, showing plenty of tenacity to hold off favourite Jeyoush in the 1200metre Emirates Courier Express Maiden. Ridden by Tadhg O’Shea for trainer Bhupat Seemar, he made all the running for a neck success.

Seemar and O’Shea also took the evening’s other maiden, the Emirates SkyCargo over 1400metres, with Na Eem.

Second to Union Security on debut a year ago, Na Eem’s form had tailed off since, but he came with a dour late run to deny longtime leader Cruzamento by two lengths.

Tudhope also completed a double when Nam Phrik dug deep under top weight of 64.5kg to land the closing Arabian Adventures Handicap.

It was a first UAE win for Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga’s charge, who overcame Alsayel in the straight and then held off the late challenge of Quality Humor.