Unbeaten Kentucky-bred Shahama Wins UAE 1,000 Guineas

The third night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan Racecourse Jan. 28 perhaps found a filly for Louisville and some turf runners for the upcoming rich events on turf and dirt in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

One of the evening's surest things was Shahama  in the UAE One Thousand Guineas Presented by Dubai Marina by Emaar and the Kentucky-bred did not disappoint.

Shahama had no trouble cruising to her third win without a loss, taking the lead near the top of the stretch in the UAE One Thousand Guineas and drawing off to score by 3 3/4 lengths.

The Munnings   filly, trained by Fawzi Nass, needed no encouragement from Adrie de Vries as she dominated five rivals—none of them from the Godolphin yards, a rarity in this race. Minwah  held a brief lead and finished second with Little Afrodite  third.

Shahama, bred by SF Bloodstock, is out of the Belong to Me  mare Private Feeling. Nass was the winning bidder at $425,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training in 2021. She won at first asking Dec. 9 by nine lengths and reprised that with a more eventful trip on a wet track Jan. 1, winning the UAE One Thousand Guineas Trial Presented By Burj Al Arab by 2 1/2 lengths after threading through some traffic.

Nass was not on hand to discuss plans for the filly but Dubai Racing Channel commentator Laura Martin reported a member of the ownership group said the UAE Oaks (G3) and possibly the UAE Derby (G2) are under consideration with a longer-term eye on the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

"That was pretty straightforward and I was able to keep out of any potential traffic problems," de Vries said. "She took me there easily and then quickened nicely.

"She is a smart filly and I guess will be aimed at the UAE Oaks now and then, hopefully, the Derby."

Two races on the turf could have implications for big events in Saudi Arabia and back at Meydan during the rest of the winter.

In the Zabeel Turf Presented by The Valley By Emaar, Star Safari  squeezed through a tight opening on the rail and spurted clear, winning by a half-length from Marie's Diamond . With William Buick up for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby, Star Safari finished the 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) in 2:02.29.

Star Safari finished third in the same race a year ago and went on to win the Dubai Millennium Stakes Sponsored By gulfnews.com (G3) on Super Saturday. He then was sixth in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) on World Cup night.

"I was probably further back than ideal but he was the best horse in the race, has that touch of class,  and loves this Meydan turf track," Buick said.

Godolphin struck again in the Zabeel Mile Presented by Emaar Beachfront (G2) as jockey Daniel Tudhope positioned the favorite, Real World , perfectly on the rail and just behind the leaders and produced him for a devastating stretch run.

At the finish, the 5-year-old son of Dark Angel  was best by 2 1/2 lengths over Shadwell Stables closer Alfareeq  with two more Godolphins, One Ruler  and Path of Thunder, third and fourth.

Real World was coming off four straight impressive wins in Europe and the UK to finish his 2021 season and trainer Saeed bin Suroor was optimistic.

"We were expecting a big run because he had been in good form at home and improved all last year in Europe," bin Suroor said. "We started him over 1,600 meters to get him going again and we have lots of options with him here and in Saudi Arabia.

"We might stick to turf but here are dirt options also so we will talk with Sheikh Mohammed and make a plan."