The high-octane atmosphere of the Dubai Racing Carnival reached a fever pitch on Friday as the Jamie Osborne-trained Brotherly Love stormed to victory in the Listed Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby. For the Osborne family, this wasn’t just a win; it was a clinical exercise in settling an old score.
Drama preceded the 1900-metre feature when the hot favorite, Salloom, burst through the starting gates and was subsequently scratched. The withdrawal shifted the complexion of the race, but it did little to dampen the resolve of Saffie Osborne. Settling her mount off a blistering early gallop, she timed her challenge to perfection.
As the field turned for home, Brotherly Love found a rhythmic stride on the Meydan dirt, clawing back the leaders to win by a comfortable two lengths over Duke Of Immatin. The victory was a mirror image of last year’s heartbreak, where the winner’s half-brother, Heart Of Honor, was narrowly denied in the same contest.
“He’s becoming like his brother in ability and demeanor,” a beaming Saffie Osborne remarked post-race. “He stays all day, this horse, and has a lot of class. It was gutting to get pipped in this race last year, so it’s great to avenge that for Jim and Claire [Bryce]. That’s Dad’s sixth winner of the Carnival; I’m not sure people realize how hard that is to do.”
Jamie Osborne echoed the sentiment, describing the result as “sweet revenge.” With 20 qualifying points now in the bag, the path to Churchill Downs looks increasingly clear for the progressive three-year-old.
Al Nayyir Punches Ticket to Gold Cup
The staying division saw a dominant display from the veteran Al Nayyir in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy. Now under the care of Tom Clover, the eight-year-old showed no signs of rust despite a layoff since August. Under a cool ride from Rossa Ryan, he collared the favorite Sunway in the final furlong to secure a half-length victory.
The win guarantees Al Nayyir a spot in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night. Ryan, who completed a double on the card, noted that the step up to two miles would likely see the gelding in even better light.
Labwah Dominates UAE Oaks
The fillies had their turn to shine in the G3 UAE Oaks, where Labwah turned the 1900-metre contest into a procession. Earning 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks, the Salem bin Ghadayer trainee coasted to a seven-and-a-half-length win under Bernardo Pinheiro.
Whether she heads to the United States or stays in Dubai to face the colts in the UAE Derby remains undecided, but her authority on the track suggests she belongs at the top table regardless of the destination.
Sprint Success and Sheikh Hamdan Double
The turf sprints provided their usual dose of excitement as Run Boy Run held on by a head in the 1000-metre handicap for trainer Richard Spencer. It was a productive night for owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, whose colors were also carried to victory by Fairy Glen in the G2 Balanchine Stakes.
Earlier in the evening, Dividend continued his upward trajectory for the Dr. Richard Newland and Jamie Insole partnership, showing a devastating turn of foot to claim the Touch The Future Handicap. Meanwhile, the consistent Khanjah snapped a year-long losing streak in the 1400-metre dirt handicap, and Magic Art opened the card with a staggering eight-length maiden romp for Bhupat Seemar.
As the dust settles on an action-packed Friday, all eyes now turn to Emirates Super Saturday on February 28, where the road to the Dubai World Cup reaches its final destination.
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