Special Fighter Wins Chengdu Dubai Cup
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Musabah Al Muhairi, the United Arab Emirates' champion trainer for the 2014-15 season, and stable jockey Silvestre de Sousa won the Chengdu Dubai International Cup Presented by Longines with Special Fighter April 4 at Jinma Lake Racecourse in China.
Special Fighter (Teofilo) repelled challenges from the Doug Watson-trained pair of Jutland and Henry Clay to triumph by 2 1/2 lengths in the RMB1.5 million (US$241,990) race, which was run at 2,218 meters (about 1 3/8 miles). He was followed by Counterglow under Wayne Smith and the Richard Mullen-ridden Start Right. The time was 2:16.21 on good turf.
Al Muhairi was completing a double after his Special Boy (Invincible Spirit), winner on the same card last year, claimed the opening contest, the Wenjiang Sprint at 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs) for jockey Tadhg O'Shea.
"It has been an amazing season for Oasis 1 Stables, and to top it off with an international win in China is fantastic for the whole team who all work very hard," Al Muhairi said. "It's been great to come back to Chengdu for a second time and showcase our racing to the people here."
Doug Watson and Sam Hitchcott also combined for a double on the day when Life Partner (Cape Cross) won the Wenjiang Meydan Classic at 1,600 meters (about one mile) and Hacienda (Kheleyf) claimed the Guangsha Mile Sponsored by the Bank of Dalian.
Also on the card the Erwan Charpy-trained Tadmir (Bernardini ) broke his maiden in the 2,418 meter (about 1 1/2-mile) Meydan Handicap under Adrie de Vries.
Six UAE-based trainers and 11 jockeys took part in Chengdu Dubai International Cup Day, now in its second year. Race fields consisted of horses transported from the UAE to Chengdu. The runners will be shipped back to the UAE.
The meet, which consisted of five races, was attended by Meydan Group board member Mohammed Al Shehhi as well as Saif Al Shara, who is assistant undersecretary for agricultural and animal affairs from the UAE Ministry of the Environment and Water. Officials from the China Equestrian Association, the Chengdu Municipal Government, Wenjiang District, and Chengdu Sports Bureau were also present.
"We have enjoyed a fantastic day of racing for the second renewal of the Chengdu Dubai International Cup," Al Shehhi said. "China is a significant trade partner of the UAE and we are very pleased to further strengthen these international ties with this event.
"Meydan Racecourse, the Dubai World Cup Carnival, and the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) are seen as pinnacles of racing excellence around the world, and we are delighted to share the culture that underpins the UAE's passion for horse racing with the people of Chengdu."