On a warm, atmospheric evening at Meydan Racecourse, patience was finally rewarded when Drew’s Gold delivered a decisive performance on Friday (12th December), anchoring a remarkable night for Bhupat Seemar and underlining the depth of quality on display at Dubai’s flagship venue.
It had taken time, three trainers, and almost two years of careful management, but Drew’s Gold looked every inch a feature winner when storming clear in the Dubai Island Handicap, race six over 1200 metres on dirt. Trained by Seemar and partnered for the first time in competition by Tadhg O’Shea, the five-year-old overcame a wide draw with authority, circling the field before unleashing a powerful run at the 300-metre mark to score by seven emphatic lengths from Echo Point.
Originally imported to Dubai in 2024 by US-based trainer Chad Summers, Drew’s Gold had previously been under the care of Julio Olascoaga before finding his way to Seemar’s yard. That final move proved decisive. O’Shea, the 12-time UAE Champion Jockey, was glowing in his assessment after the race.
“It was my first time riding him in a race,” O’Shea said. “He was third to Tuz in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint, but there was no Tuz in there tonight. He was a Stakes horse in the States and carried top weight here, which isn’t easy around Meydan Racecourse. He really impressed me.”
Seemar’s evening did not end there. The dual UAE Champion Trainer saddled multiple winners, confirming his operation is already in fine order as the season gathers momentum.
British trainers continue to make their presence felt, and Dylan Cunha added to that narrative when Silver Sword secured his second Meydan success in as many seasons. Contesting the Palm Beach Towers Handicap, the first turf race of the campaign, the five-year-old was backing up quickly from a dirt appearance the previous week. Under a determined ride from George Wood, Silver Sword dug deep to repel the challenge of Emperor’s Star by just under half a length.
“I wasn’t too sure coming to the final furlong whether he would really stick his head out, but he did today,” Wood said. “Fair play to Dylan and his team — he was in cracking form. I thought Billy [Loughnane] had kicked and gone on the favourite, but the gap opened just in time.”
For Wood, the win carried personal significance. “It means everything. I was riding here four or five years ago for Charlie Appleby and then the opportunities dried up. To be back and get a winner like this is very special.”
Appleby’s Derby Trail Takes Shape at Meydan Racecourse
Charlie Appleby had his own reason to smile when Devon Island continued his flawless start at Meydan Racecourse, taking the Como Residences Conditions event for two-year-olds over 1600 metres. The son of Practical Joke made it two wins from two starts at the track, again proving too strong for Brotherly Love, whom he defeated by three and a half lengths.
Ridden once more by James Doyle, Devon Island showed added maturity, coping well with kickback after enjoying a cleaner trip on debut. His performance inevitably sparked discussion about a potential UAE Derby path.
“He got enough kickback to show he handled it well,” Doyle explained. “He feels like a galloper, so 2000 metres around here shouldn’t be a problem. He’s still a big, raw baby mentally, but he has the engine and the scope to keep improving.”
Doyle completed a double later on the card when Native American landed the Palm Jumeirah Handicap over 1800 metres on turf. Drawn wide, the rider elected to be positive early, a move that paid dividends as Native American held off Laneqash by a quarter of a length. The success marked a first Meydan victory for Wathnan Racing’s new permanent base at Grandstand Stables.
“He ran well here last year from a bad gate, so I wanted to get him out quickly tonight,” Doyle said. “He travelled beautifully and finished the race off well. It’s a small team here, so it’s nice when everyone can enjoy a moment like this.”
Class was also evident in the opening feature, the G2 Madjani Stakes for Purebred Arabians. Group 1 winner Vizhir, now trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, showed he has adapted seamlessly to life in the UAE. Formerly trained in Saudi Arabia, the five-year-old stayed on after his run in the Dubai Kahayla Classic and made an immediate impact in his new surroundings.
With O’Shea again in the saddle, Vizhir took control in the final 300 metres but had to show real determination when challenged by Nassif, ultimately prevailing by half a length.
“He’s a very good Arabian,” O’Shea said. “Connections were confident and told me to ride him accordingly. He went around there like a motorbike. I’d imagine the plan will be to work back from the Kahayla Classic.”
O’Shea’s treble was completed when Muzaahim struck in the Palm Central Handicap over 1200 metres on dirt. Riding for Seemar, he produced the three-year-old late to edge Royalcorrespondent by half a length.
“This horse had been knocking on the door at Jebel Ali,” O’Shea noted. “We felt a flat track like Meydan Racecourse would suit him, and the team had him spot-on.”
Seemar added further gloss to his night when Power For Power caused an upset in the Palm Jebel Ali maiden over 1400 metres on turf. Slowly away under Silvestre de Sousa, the Blue Point colt finished strongly to defeat Do Or Do Not, with Zumbezi in third.
“He’s a lovely horse,” de Sousa said. “I knew him from England and always thought Dubai would suit him. He quickened well and stayed on strongly.”
The successes continued when Zandvoort, ridden by Richie Mullen, landed the Nakheel Handicap over 1600 metres on dirt. Though a little wayward late, the gelding had enough in hand to defeat Gun Carriage by nearly two lengths, rounding off another productive chapter for Seemar and his owners.
Meydan Racecourse returns next Friday, 19 December, for Festive Friday, the first major fixture of the season. The G2 Al Maktoum Mile and G2 Al Rashidiya will headline a nine-race programme that promises further early clues for the months ahead.
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