Ross Burdon will take an important step in his training career when he brings Mesaafi to Meydan for the Dubai Racing Carnival, marking the Newmarket-based trainer’s first venture into racing in Dubai.
The 40-year-old, who is completing his first full year as a licensed trainer, will arrive from Britain later this week with a clear ambition: to establish his young stable on the international stage. Mesaafi, a five-year-old who has won four races since joining Burdon’s yard, will be the trainer’s first runner at Meydan.
Formerly trained by Charlie Fellowes for owner Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Mesaafi most recently won over 1,200 metres at Kempton in September. His recent form offers encouragement as he prepares for a new challenge in the UAE, with Burdon hopeful that the gelding’s ability and temperament will help him adapt to unfamiliar surroundings.
Ross Burdon Sees Meydan as an Opportunity to Build His Stable
For Burdon, the Dubai Racing Carnival represents more than an opportunity to compete with an established international field. It is also a chance to introduce his developing training operation to a wider audience.
Burdon believes that sending a runner to Meydan reflects the forward-thinking approach he wants his stable to be known for, while a strong performance could help attract further opportunities.
His confidence is supported by a career spent learning from some of Britain’s leading trainers. After a brief spell as a jockey, Burdon worked with several Group 1-winning operations, including those of Richard Fahey and Jeremy Noseda.
His time with Noseda proved particularly influential. The Newmarket trainer enjoyed major success with high-class horses, including victories in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the July Cup and the Sussex Stakes.
Burdon was drawn to the environment created by such success, developing an ambition to work with better horses and take on greater responsibilities.
That ambition subsequently took him to the stable of the late Sir Henry Cecil, where he worked from the days of Jacqueline Quest through to the final years of one of racing’s most celebrated training careers.
During that period, he was associated with outstanding performers including Midday, Chachamaidee, Timepiece, Twice Over and Frankel. The experience provided valuable exposure to the demands of preparing elite Thoroughbreds for major races.
From Newmarket to Dubai: Why Mesaafi Fits the Plan
Burdon’s career also included a spell in Australia before he returned to Newmarket. He later worked for Kevin Philippart de Foy during the trainer’s successful Carnival campaign with Vafortino, gaining further experience of preparing horses for racing away from Britain.
Eventually, Burdon decided to establish his own operation. His RB Racing stable has since grown to around 20 horses and is based in an established Newmarket yard, with Sir Mark Prescott among his neighbours.
Mesaafi’s physical attributes and temperament have made him a suitable candidate for the journey to Dubai. Burdon believes the horse’s preference for warmer conditions, combined with his ability to recover well between races, should work in his favour.
The trainer also considers Mesaafi’s relaxed nature an important asset when travelling internationally, where settling into a new environment can be as important as racecourse ability.
For a relatively young operation, the trip represents a calculated opportunity to gain experience beyond familiar British tracks while testing Mesaafi against a different range of conditions.
Mesaafi Set for Dirt Debut at Meydan on 20 November
Burdon has outlined a clear initial plan for Mesaafi’s Dubai campaign. The gelding is expected to make his first appearance on dirt at Meydan on 20 November, providing an early indication of whether the surface will suit him.
His pedigree offers grounds for optimism. Mesaafi is by Exceed And Excel, whose progeny have demonstrated an ability to perform on dirt. Burdon also believes the horse’s powerful build and relatively large feet could prove advantageous on the surface.
However, the trainer is keeping his options open. Should Mesaafi fail to adapt to dirt, the initial outing could instead serve as preparation for a return to turf in December.
The flexible approach gives Burdon room to assess the horse’s response to the new conditions before deciding how best to shape the remainder of his campaign.
Burdon will accompany Mesaafi to Dubai and remain with the gelding until he has settled into his new surroundings. Having never visited the city himself, the trip will also mark a personal milestone for the trainer.
There is plenty to organise before departure, with Burdon admitting that preparations for the journey are still under way. Nevertheless, the objective is clear: to give Mesaafi the best possible chance of making an encouraging start at Meydan while introducing RB Racing to a broader international audience.
For a trainer still in the early stages of building his own operation, the Dubai Racing Carnival offers an opportunity to turn years of experience around leading stables into a venture of his own. Mesaafi will be the first to carry that ambition onto the Meydan track.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to Racebuzz.