SPARE A THOUGHT

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum
(Photo : Summerhill Stud)

HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN KHALIFA AL MAKTOUM

There’s been a lot said about Dubai in the financial press of late, and people have been concerned. None less so than the Ruling Family of that country. One man though, for all his responsibilities, who never lies down in spirit at least, is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifah Al Maktoum. To put him into perspective, his father was the elder brother of Sheikh Rashid, father of Sheikh Mohammed, the present ruler and Sheikh Hamdan, his deputy.

In years, “our” Sheik Mo, of Imbongi, Art Of War, Galant Gagnant and Asiatic Boy fame, is the senior Sheikh, and his great friend is Sheikh Hamdan, now in his 20^th year of support at Summerhill. We took a moment this morning to share our strength with Sheikh Mohammed and his team, for an early resolution to the problems of his region. But you have to know the man to understand his spirit. “Indomitable” is a word that comes to mind. To make the load a little easier, ever the sportsman, His Highness is going trout fishing. A small trip to big sky country, to Argentina and a few more of the horses he gets up for in the morning.

Here is a man whom all horsemen look to for a benchmark. Winning or losing, he takes them both the same. The sport is all that matters. His generosity knows no bounds. Importantly, his friendship is pervasive.

And his wishes for a happy and fulfilling New Year, are extended to everyone in the Summerhill parish.

Tight lines, Your Highness. We know the Rio Corentasa, and we’ve seen those submarines. We look forward to the tales.

Did you miss the Stephen Foster Handicap?

If you didn’t get to watch Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Asiatic Boy running a fighting second on US debut in the $660,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (Gr1) at Churchill Downs… fear not.

Click the mouse to watch the race replay on ESPN Video.

SUPER THURSDAY IS HERE AT LAST!

“Go Boys!”

Megan RomeynThe boss is back from his Australian travels today, just in time to witness the performances of two Summerhill-breds at Nad Al Sheba tonight.

Summerhill Ready To Run graduate, Art Of War, lines up for the feature race of the evening, the $300,000 Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr.2) third round over 2000m on dirt. This race is seen as a stepping stone for the $6million Dubai World Cup which is run over the same 10 furlong distance. Mike de Kock is cautiously optimistic about the son of Kahal who ran an impressive second in last Thursday’s Meydan Hotel Trophy over 1800m, behind the classy Gloria de Campeao. “Art Of War has had a super Carnival and although well drawn (1) is perhaps an optimistic entry for us here, although he continues in good form at home,” said Mike de Kock. Art Of War will face some stiff competition in the form of 2008 Dubai World Cup runner-up, Asiatic Boy, who missed out behind Curlin in last year’s race, although Asiatic Boy does have a tough draw (15) to overcome.

The second Summerhill contender on Super Thursday is 2008 KZN Horse Of The Year, Imbongi, who lines up in the 1777m Jebel Hatta (Gr.2) on turf, a Dubai Duty Free trial. Imbongi will face a barrage of tough competition in the form of Russian Sage, Biarritz, Strategic News, Jay Peg and Japanese hope Vodka. According to Mike de Kock, Imbongi is better over a shorter distance, but is a horse that is in peak physical condition. Herman Brown Jnr, trainer of 2008 Dubai Duty Free victor, Jay Peg, says that his charge is coming along well and that he is confident of a solid performance.

Honour Devil, winner of the 2008 UAE Derby, will get his chance again tonight when he faces a host of Group winners in the $200,000 Burj Nahaar (Gr.3) over 1600m on dirt. Honour Devil steps up against the likes of Jalil, Summer Doldrums and Racecar Rhapsody in this prep race for the 1600m Godolphin Mile (Gr.2). Mike de Kock says, “Honour Devil is well drawn (1) and ran as we expected first time, as he would have badly needed that run (when third in a conditions race).”

Although he wouldn’t be drawn into predictions, Mike de Kock is cautiously optimistic about the chances of Diana’s Choice and Hunting Tower who both line up in the Mahab Al Shimaal, a 1200m sprint on dirt that features Breeders’ Cup runner-up, Diabolical.

With so many South African runners and so many thrilling races on the Super Thursday card tonight, you can just imagine where the entire Summerhill team will be – cemented in front of the TV!

DUBAI RACING CARNIVAL : Mike de Kock and Herman Brown

Herman Brown and Mike de Kock
(Summerhill Stud)

The final Nad Al Sheba based Dubai International Racing Carnival kicks off on Thursday boasting the largest international field ever assembled to compete for over US$31million in prize-money.

With an increased number of horses from Japan, France and Saudi Arabia, the return of Australia as well as a strong contingent from South Africa and Great Britain, this year’s Carnival is billed as the best ever and promises to be a fitting farewell to Nad Al Sheba before the much anticipated move to Meydan Racecourse next year.

Having saddled three of the six winners on World Cup night in 2008, as well as runner-up Asiatic Boy in the Dubai World Cup itself, the South African contingent have a tough task to emulate their achievements from last year, but both Mike de Kock and Herman Brown have assembled their strongest teams to date.

With 53 Dubai Carnival winners and 8 Dubai World Cup winners, Mike de Kock, is undoubtedly the most successful trainer to date. He fields about 40 horses based at Nad Al Sheba this season, including last year’s UAE Derby winner Honour Devil and Asiatic Boy (Mike de Kock has won four UAE Derbies), winner of that race in 2007 and Dubai World Cup runner-up last year.

Both could clash in the 2009 Dubai World Cup according to their trainer: “Asiatic Boy did not settle in the UK last year so we brought him back to Dubai early and he is a lot further ahead in his preparation than 12 months ago as a result. He will probably contest the last two rounds of the Maktoum Challenge before the Dubai World Cup,” said Mike de Kock.”

Both Archipenko and Eagle Mountain who, like Asiatic Boy and Honour Devil, carry the familiar yellow silks of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, were Group 1 winners in Hong Kong last year and will be aiming at the Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Sheema Classic respectively.

Proven Carnival performers like Royal Vintage, Bennie Blue, Engrupido, Drift Ice and Frosty Secret are joined by a plethora of new recruits including South African Champion Sprinter JJ The Jet Plane as well as the talents of Imbongi, Hunting Tower, Rocks Off and Front House. Throw in the likes of Bankable, Stubbs Art, Macarthur and King of Naples from Europe, as well as the usual youngsters from South America, such as Blues And Rock and India Tiberina and it is easy to see why Mike de Kock feels his team is the strongest yet.

The same applies to fellow South African Herman Brown whose 13 Carnival winners to date are undoubtedly highlighted by Jay Peg’s win in last year’s Dubai Duty Free (a race Mike de Kock has won twice).

With stable stalwart Linngari retired, Jay Peg is the obvious star name this year but Herman Brown too has his largest ever team.

Herman Brown explained: “We have more horses this year and hopefully it is our best team ever. That said, the horses have arrived later this time which is not ideal and we may need a week or two to reach our peak. We have left a few here all summer to acclimatise, including Oracle West who has been a great Carnival performer for Mike (de Kock). Narc is another and he ran in the Sprint on World Cup night last year. We have some nice new horses as well with Guineas and Derby winner King’s Gambit perhaps the most interesting from home. Traffic Guard has been here before and did well in Europe, while Mourilyan won two here for John Oxx last season.”

Racecar Rhapsody from America, Lipocco from the UK and Basaltico from Italy are three others given a favourable mention but do not be surprised if further names are added to the Herman Brown stable in the coming weeks with his owners looking to strengthen their hand.

Summerhill Stud wishes both the Mike de Kock and Herman Brown teams great success for the Dubai Racing Carnival with some good old South African “Amandla”.

MIKE DE KOCK : Build up to Dubai Racing Carnival

Mike de Kock
(TDSports/John Lewis)

The month of December is not all about Christmas stockings and decorated trees for reigning South African Champion Trainer Mike de Kock, as it heralds the start of another preparatory phase in his build up to the Dubai Racing Carnival.

Mike de Kock Racing reports that the 2009 renewal of the world’s richest racing spectacle will represent Mike de Kock’s sixth sojourn to the UAE desert. Every year he’s had to match a terrific previous season but time and again he’s managed to better his own records with phenomenal spells of success.

In his five desert seasons so far Mike de Kock has saddled an astounding 63 winners from only 288 runners , capturing some of the world’s richest and most sought-after racing trophies against gruelling competition from the very best the racing world has to offer.

With 20 of those winners recorded in 2007, his best UAE season ever, Mike de Kock’s task seems to be getting harder, yet in 2009 his string will be 45 strong, more than twice the average number he’s trained at his Grandstand Stable Complex in his first five years.

With 19 inmates already in work with assistant Trevor Brown in Dubai and at least another 23 soon on the way on different chartered flights, Dubai 2009 could be Mike de Kock’s greatest carnival ever.

A Summer Cup winner, a Durban July winner, Derby winners, an Oaks winner and SA’s Champion Sprinter left Cape Town for Mike de Kock’s base at Newmarket, England, in October. They included Summerhill Stud’s multiple Graded winner Imbongi, Grade 1 winning three-year-old Rocks Off, Daily News 2000 winner Russian Sage, top class Oaks winner Front House, sprint sensation JJ The Jet Plane as well as sand stars Naples and Quicksand.

All, except JJ The Jet Plane and Breeders Cup Turf runner-up Eagle Mountain are expected to leave England for Dubai on 4 December. “JJ’’ and Eagle Mountain will stop over in Hong Kong en route to Dubai to contest races on the Cathay Pacific International Extravaganza and Mike de Kock said: “There is a quarantine issue which concerns JJ, but he has been officially invited to the Hong Kong Sprint and is being prepared for the race. The officials are bending over backwards to help us. Eagle Mountain will be going for the Hong Kong 2000.”

Trevor Brown said from Dubai yesterday: “All is well and we’re looking forward to a cracking season. Among the horses already back in training here are Archipenko, Asiatic Boy and Honour Devil, who have all had nice breaks and are starting to shed their excess condition, and Inca Noble, a very talented but injury-prone filly who is doing exceptionally well at the moment.’’

Among the Dubai stalwarts from previous years who are likely to race at Jebel Ali and perhaps Nad Al Sheba in the pre-carnival period from 19 December are Ablaan, gelded Limehouse and Drift Ice. In early January there could be races for the likes of Brave Tin Soldier and Trinity College.

New acquisitions already in Dubai are Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Indian Tamburina, a filly Trevor Brown describes as small and laid-back, but with good ability, Zajel and Musaytit from Australia and Blues And Rock from Argentina.

Four recent acquisitions from Coolmore are also on their way and include Zulu Chief, a half-brother to boom sire Hawk Wing, and Macarthur, a brother to Racing Post Derby winner Motivator, by Montjeu.

“Royal Vintage, Lucky Find and another new horse called Stubbs Art landed in Dubai last Thursday,” Trevor Brown concluded.