The Meydan Racecourse Highlights on a pulsating Carnival evening centred on English Oak, whose courage under pressure lit up the feature handicap and confirmed his growing stature on the Dubai stage.
Tudhope, deputising for James Doyle, who was in Qatar, had to bide his time from stall two.
“I was drawn two and so you have to be patient when you’re on the rail like that and wait for the splits to come,” he explained. “I thought maybe I was a bit too handy but I didn’t want to get stuck behind.
“He was dropping in trip tonight so it maybe took him a few strides to get it together.”
The result ensured English Oak made it two wins from two starts this Carnival and underlined why he is fast becoming one of the talking horses of the season.
Desert Horizon Sparks Tudhope Double
Earlier on the card, Tudhope had initiated his own double when Desert Horizon finally shed his maiden tag in the Longines Master Collection Handicap over 1900 metres on dirt.
At the eighth attempt, the six-year-old produced a sustained late surge inside the final 200 metres to defeat Hidden Secret by a length and a half. It was a performance built on patience and measured timing.
“I thought Sam’s horse was the one to beat and he made a lot of use of his horse early, so I was happy to take a lead,” Tudhope said. “He’s always finished his races well, this lad, and he appreciated this step up in trip. He’s a lazy horse anyway, he doesn’t do anything quick, but I’m glad he’s finally broken his maiden.”
Night to Remember for Busaidi in Meydan Racecourse Highlights
One of the most uplifting Meydan Racecourse Highlights came courtesy of apprentice Hamed Al Busaidi, who celebrated his first Thoroughbred winner at the track earlier in the evening — and then promptly doubled up.
Ruling Dynasty, previously successful at Meydan when trained by Charlie Appleby, returned to winning ways in the Longines Primaluna Handicap over 1600 metres on turf. Now owned and trained by Ismail Mohammed, the seven-year-old was delivered through a tight gap and held off the UK raider City Of Delight by a neck in a brave finish.
“To be honest I galloped this horse last week and I told the trainer ‘trust me I will win,’” Al Busaidi said. “He showed me good class then and I knew he would run better down in this grade.
“In the first furlong I had a bump from outside but I stayed in eighth and waited for the gap. When I got the gap, he went!”
Al Busaidi and Mohammed combined again when Condor Pasa claimed the Longines Conquest Chronograph Handicap over 1200 metres on turf. The six-year-old, formerly trained by Fawzi Nass, outbattled Arigatou Gozaimasu by two and a quarter lengths, the rider showing composure beyond his experience.
“It’s an incredible feeling for me – I’m only the second Omani jockey to ride a double at Meydan,” he said.
Elsewhere on the card, Valdivia strengthened his affinity with the course by registering a third Meydan success in the Longines Master Collection Moon Phase Chronograph over 2000 metres on dirt. Ridden by Saif Al Balushi for Ahmad bin Harmash, the gelding was produced late to score by four and a quarter lengths from Estmrar.
Diamond Dealer, trained by Bhupat Seemar and ridden by Tadhg O’Shea, impressed in the Longines Spirit Pilot Handicap over 1600 metres on dirt. Despite racing wide from post 11, he quickened decisively off the home turn to beat Force And Valour by three lengths.
“He’s a nice horse but he needed to grow up,” O’Shea said. “He’s now won three races and he’s on the up.”
O’Shea and Seemar secured a double of their own when Muzaahim powered home from the rear in the closing Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925 Handicap over 1200 metres on dirt, beating Military Artist by two lengths for his second career win from six starts.
The curtain-raiser produced a thrilling finish as Kayaan SB narrowly denied AH Tahan in the Longines Conquest Purebred Arabian Handicap, providing jockey Abdul Aziz Al Balushi with his 50th UAE winner.
Meydan resumes next Friday, 20 February, with the Group 2 Balanchine, Group 3 UAE Oaks and Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy headlining the programme.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to Racebuzz.