South African trainer Mike De Kock plans a Dubai racing comeback after a four-year absence, with Meydan Racecourse poised to become the centre of his renewed international campaign. The accomplished trainer will return to the Dubai Racing Carnival in partnership with his son Mathew, with a new generation of horses expected to spearhead the venture.
De Kock remains one of the most accomplished trainers associated with racing in the United Arab Emirates, having recorded 186 winners in the country. His remarkable Dubai record includes victories in the Group 1 Sheema Classic, Group 1 Dubai Turf and Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, while he has also captured the UAE Derby six times.
His last UAE campaign came in 2022, after which he stepped away from Dubai amid restrictions connected with African Horse Sickness regulations. His planned return now marks a significant development for the forthcoming Dubai Racing Carnival, particularly given the quality of the horses being assembled for the campaign.
Mike De Kock Plans Dubai Racing Comeback with Colorado Del Monte
Among the notable horses expected to form part of the new operation is Colorado Del Monte, a three-year-old dual Group 1 winner from Argentina. The colt has been purchased by Vermaak Equine and is regarded as one of the principal prospects for the international campaign.
Colorado Del Monte could provide De Kock with an intriguing contender for the major three-year-old contests in the UAE. His presence also reflects the trainer’s long-established willingness to source high-class Thoroughbreds from different racing jurisdictions and develop them for major international assignments.
The partnership between Mike and Mathew De Kock adds another dimension to the project. Mathew has gained experience in Australia and will now work alongside his father as they prepare a fresh string for the Dubai season. Their combined experience is expected to strengthen the operation as it targets the demanding schedule associated with the Dubai Racing Carnival.
De Kock has previously demonstrated considerable success with internationally sourced horses. His stable has handled several notable performers who went on to make their mark at Meydan, while his association with horses such as Asiatic Boy and Honor Devil remains an important part of his Dubai legacy.
Asiatic Boy occupies a particularly distinguished place in UAE racing history, having become the only horse to complete the UAE Triple Crown. The son of Not For Sale later finished second in the Dubai World Cup, underlining the calibre of horses De Kock has developed for the region’s most prestigious races.
The trainer’s Dubai record stretches back to some of the most memorable seasons in the modern history of the Carnival. In 2003, Ipi Tombe and Victory Moon delivered major victories for his stable, while Sun Classique captured the Sheema Classic in 2008. Shea Shea added another landmark success in 2013 by winning the Al Quoz Sprint.
The renewed operation will also benefit from De Kock’s international network. Horses are being considered from Argentina and England, while the trainer has maintained links with owners and breeding interests across several racing jurisdictions. The possibility of a campaign in the United States has also been discussed, reflecting the broader international ambitions surrounding the new venture.
One important connection is Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, whose horses have previously played a significant role in De Kock’s career. Laurence Wernars and other prominent South African owners have also been associated with the trainer’s international operations.
The return could therefore represent more than a nostalgic reunion with Meydan. It signals an attempt to establish a new chapter built around emerging horses, international bloodstock and a close working partnership between two generations of the De Kock family.
For Mathew, the Dubai assignment will provide an opportunity to work alongside one of South Africa’s most decorated trainers while bringing his own international experience into the operation. For Mike, the return offers a chance to renew one of the most successful associations between a South African trainer and the UAE racing scene.
Mike De Kock Plans Dubai Racing Comeback after four years away from the UAE, with Meydan Racecourse and the Dubai Racing Carnival at the heart of his renewed campaign. Working alongside son Mathew, De Kock will look to Colorado Del Monte and a new international string of horses as he seeks to revive the success that made his name synonymous with major Dubai racing victories.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.