AL NAYYIR returns to Meydan as a transformed competitor, ready to take on the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup (sponsored by Al Tayer Motors) this Saturday. Bred by Godolphin, the seven-year-old was acquired for a modest AED 40,000 at the Emirates Racing Authority’s Racing In Dubai September Sale in 2021. Since then, under the careful management of owner Elbashir Elhrari and racing manager Adam Driver, AL NAYYIR has developed into one of the most exciting stayers on the circuit.
Initially facing foot problems, AL NAYYIR was sent to Doug Watson’s stable, where meticulous care and patient handling turned his fortunes around. He quickly progressed, securing three handicap victories at Meydan and a third-place finish in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy. His breakthrough moment came in last year’s Dubai Gold Cup, where he finished a strong second behind Tower Of London. A move to Tom Clover’s yard in the UK followed, leading to another standout performance when he was narrowly beaten by Vauban in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York.
Instead of returning to the Dubai Racing Carnival, AL NAYYIR was sent to Saudi Arabia, where he finished fifth in the Red Sea Turf Handicap, carrying top weight. Driver believes that race was a key stepping stone for his peak performance in Dubai. “The track in Saudi didn’t quite suit him, and it was a messier race than we anticipated, but his recent work with Luke Morris was very promising,” he explains.
A horse with a stayers’ endurance but a sprinter’s turn of foot, AL NAYYIR’s versatility makes him a fascinating contender for Saturday’s Dubai Gold Cup. With warmer weather and fine-tuned preparation, his connections are optimistic about his chances of making an impact at Meydan once again.
