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Dettori delights on Dubday

Frankie Dettori poses
Image: Frankie Dettori was in top form in Qatar

A review of Thursday's action from Qatar, as Frankie Dettori shone on Dubday in the Emir's Trophy.

Frankie Dettori shone in Qatar on Thursday as Dubday landed the Emir's Trophy, the highlight for thoroughbreds at the three-day HH The Emir International Equestrian Sword Festival.

Successful 12 months ago on the Al Shaqab Racing-owned five-year-old, the popular Italian repeated the feat as the son of Dubawi beat former John Oxx inmate Ponfeigh under the floodlights at Al Rayyan racecourse.

Drawn widest of all in stall 16 on the sharp right-handed track, the former Qatar Derby and Gold Cup winner was soon tucked in by Dettori and travelled powerfully for much of the mile-and-a-half journey.

Dubday was caught a little wide rounding the home turn and the response was not immediate once Dettori got to work, but he eventually found top gear and mowed down Ponfeigh and last year's runner-up Peter Anders to emerge triumphant.

Dettori, who delighted the locals and international guests with his trademark flying dismount, said: "It was a lot closer than I thought. It took a bit of time to get going, but once the turbo kicked in I knew I was going to win.

"It was for the boss (Sheikh Joaan Al Thani), it's the biggest day's racing here and I was riding the best horse in Qatar."

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Al Shaqab's racing manager, Harry Herbert, said: "Frankie is just great round here, he rides it so well - he is a magician.

"The Sheikh is here and it's just terrific.

"Hopefully he'll go to Dubai now for the Gold Cup. If he happens to prove himself over the trip (two miles), it opens up options like the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and Goodwood, which Qatar sponsor.

"I'd love to see him in Europe. This is the superstar of Qatar racing."

The win was another feather in the cap for prolific champion trainer Jassim Al Ghazali, who said: "Dubday is a champion horse."

The Emir's Sword, the main event for purebred Arabians, also went to the Al Shaqab team as Al Mourtazez made every yard of the running for trainer Thomas Fourcy and rider Julien Augue.

Trainer Julian Smart, who saddled three of the seven runners, was responsible for the second and third Djainka Des Forges and Al Majh'Hoor.

Smart is likely to be a major player in those seeking to land the newly-launched Qatar Arabian Triple Crown, which was announced at a press conference earlier in the day.

With a $1million bonus available for connections, the first leg will be at Goodwood on Nassau Stakes day with the Qatar Harwood International Stakes.

The mile contest will be run as the seventh of eight races on the showpiece Qatar-sponsored card.

The 10-furlong Arabian World Cup on Arc day at Longchamp forms the second leg, with the mile-and-a-half Emir Sword next February the potential history-making third event.

Speaking of his delight at the new concept, Goodwood managing director Adam Waterworth said: "The Nassau Stakes is our thoroughbred highlight and the Arabian race really adds to the card.

"We've seen around the world the excitement that can be generated when a runner comes to the final leg of a Triple Crown with a chance."

Smart said: "It will take a very special horse to win the Qatar Arabian Triple Crown, but the challenge is there now."

Hamad Bin Abdulrahman Al Attiya, president of Qatar Equestrian Federation, said: "The Qatar Arabian Triple Crown represents a major development in the global promotion of Arabian Racing linking three major festivals and strengthening our alliance with European racing.

"We are delighted that our new partnership with Goodwood provides us with the opportunity to launch the series at one of the world's most beautiful racecourses and one of international racing's most highly regarded race meetings."

Genny Haynes, director of the Arabian Racing Organisation, the sole Arabian Racing Authority in the UK, said: "It is extremely exciting to have a race of this stature forming part of the UK Arabian Racing Calendar.

"Qatar are major supporters of Arabian racing in the UK and have been particularly supportive of initiatives to encourage smaller owners and breeders and we look forward to playing our part in the promotion of this major new race series."

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