Racing for 2023 in the UAE kicked off on Sunday, New Years day itself, with seven races at Jebel Ali, highlighted by the 1600m Jebel Ali Mile Prep which was totally dominated by the only mare among the eight runners, Down On Da Bayou likely never seeing a rival under Royston Ffrench, completing doubles for himself, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and Salem bin Ghadayer.
Now a 6yo, the daughter of Super Saver will surely always be best remembered for her astonishing success, over 1900m at Meydan, in the 2020 Group 3 UAE Oaks, a contest she won by more than 18 lengths.
She then did not win again until December 2021, scoring over this Jebel Ali 1600m and following up, over the same course and distance, just over a month later.
Ffrench said: "She is just lovely for a jockey as she is so genuine and tough. She loves to race like that and is then really gutsy when challenged. We all love her."
For 3yos only, a 1200m maiden and first Thoroughbred contest of the year, proved a straightforward assignment for debutant Tiger Nation, always in the firing line under Ffrench, riding for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and Bin Ghadayer, and never looking likely be denied once kicked clear about 375m out.
A colt by Tamarkuz, he cost connections $110,000 last May and clearly has plenty of ability.
Ffrench said: "He has always shown plenty at home but we were drawn on the outside which is never ideal on debut but he did everything very professionally.
"Hopefully he can step up in both class and distance."
The very first UAE race of 2023 was a 1200m maiden for Purebred Arabians foaled locally and Tadhg O'Shea seemingly knew he had the race won about halfway when he was sat motionless behind early leader SNF Rayah before allowing AF Al Akhaf to ease to the front 400m from home, with the majority of 15 rivals basically already beaten.
It was a first success for the 6yo entire, homebred by Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda and saddled by Ernst Oertel, at the ninth attempt. Owner and trainer also supplied the runner-up, AF Ferstuq.
Oertel said: To be honest I thought he would win last time but they went too fast and he weakened. Today everything went to plan."
O'Shea added: "As Ernst said we thought he would win last time so it is great he has done it today. It is certainly a great start to the new year!"
Rank outsider Ayaad and Bernardo Pinheiro made a gallant attempt from the front in a 1200m handicap only to be denied in the final 150m by O'Shea aboard RRR Racing's Rayig for Bhupat Seemar. Habitually slow to exit the stalls, the 7yo gelded son of Exceed And Excel did not break that trait but was always travelling strongly and O'Shea appeared confident he would complete his double approaching the final 225m.
O'Shea said: "That fast pace really suited him and he kept going when we hit the front so all credit to the horse. I guess he will come back here in a few weeks as he obviously likes Jebel Ali."
O'Shea was in the winner's enclosure for a third time after the finale, a 1950m handicap, driving Ghost Of The Mambo to a hard fought success, completing a treble for the jockey, as well as doubles for Bhupat Seemar and owner Prince Sultan bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz.
A 1400m handicap went the way of Chosen Mark, partnered by Antonio Fresu in the colours of Shoaib Ahmed Sarfaraz for trainer Ahmed Al Shemaili, his third winner from his new base at Grandstand Stables.
Fresu said: "He is normally pretty consistent, especially here at Jebel Ali so it was a nice spare ride to pick up and you cannot start a year in a better way than a winner on the first day of the new year."
Carpe Momentum had a couple of near misses on his resume but finally put his head in front in a 1600m maiden, Sam Hitchcott riding for Doug Watson in the silks of Prince Sultan bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, the 6yo gelded son of Carpe Diem opening his account at the fifth attempt.
