American trainer Kiaran McLaughlin (left, with hat) took to the microphone this morning at the annual Friday morning breakfast conference in the Nad Al Sheba clubhouse and was joined by Australian trainer David Hayes (far right) and Irish jockey John Murtagh (with microphone).
When speaking of Dubai World Cup favorite, Albertus Maximus, McLaughlin seemed more jovial [...]
The Brown Bomber.
The heavyweight title holder for over 106 months.
25 successful title defenses.
2009 Dubai World Cup champion?
So thinks trainer Jerry Barton, or at least, he dreams of it. On Friday morning at Nad Al Sheba, the Saudi-based Barton looks on intently as his Dubai World Cup hope works three furlongs.
“I can’t tell you how many [...]
Indian Blessing continues to impress in her trackwork en route to the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Like only the UAE Derby, with Godolphin’s heavy choice Desert Party, Indian Blessing is considered one of the good things on Saturday evening. Nothing changed on a dry (so far) Friday morning.
Kathy Smith is from Franklin, Tennessee and has never been to Dubai. She and former husband David bought Sage Cat in 2005 as a broodmare in foal to Street Cry, despite her generally unaccomplished racing career.
Kathy Smith (left) explains her Desert Party connection to Sarah Tregoning (middle) from Abu Dhabi’s The National
Thursday, she and a friend were looking [...]
It was a wet morning at Nad Al Sheba, initially spoiling the annual Breakfast With the Stars gathering. The storm clouds parted for a bit and allowed the festivities to commence, but still, it poured. That hurt the quality of some of the photos, but I posted a host of them anyway.
The media huddled under [...]
After Tuesday morning when Dubai World Cup favorite ALBERTUS MAXIMUS appeared a bit washy, he held better composure on Wednesday. I was told that his handlers sponge him down right before he comes onto the track, which may offer some explanation for his general soggyness, although the white sweat was still a bit noticable.
Regardless of [...]
Having never won beyond seven furlongs, PACO BOY is an unlikely short price for the Dubai Duty Free. Such has been the case throughout the week, however, and the Richard Hannon-trainee galloped over two laps of the turf course - which registers as almost 2.5 miles. Too much, too late?
As of this posting, Paco Boy [...]
INDIAN BLESSING seemed none too bothered by the Dubai heat on Wednesday morning when she walked the wrong way for a half-lap then jogged back the right-way.
The American-based workouts for this Bob Baffert charge have been flawless and her appearance at Nad Al Sheba does nothing to diminish her chances on Saturday. 12-for-12 in the [...]
The 2008 Dubai World Cup third was on the track again and trainer Eoin Harty re-confirmed that he will “just gallop” in the lead-up to the big race. Here he is jogging by this morning.
When asked about an ideal draw for the likely pace-setter, Harty told me that they would be most happy with “middle [...]
Yesterday, I referenced Nick Zito’s assistant trainer Tim Poole and his description of the quirky ANAK NAKAL, running “when he wants to.” Here, Anak Nakal walks around Nad Al Sheba prior to galloping - bowed neck and all.
This morning, I caught up with Poole after he walked Anak Nakal, seventh in the Donn Handicap and [...]
