R2R aggregate 21% up
November 4, 2013Victory Moon field
November 8, 2013WE”re approaching the time of year when racing fans start licking their lips in anticipation of the next Dubai International Carnival. The 2014 renewal of the UAE’s great three-month racing spectacle starts on January9, the first of 11 race meetings.
Mike de Kock will have a string of around 50 horses to compete with in the new term, with some real firepower in the yard.
Most members of the 2014 string have been stabled or have recently arrived in Dubai. Several stayed on after the 2013 Carnival, while most runners who competed in the UK over the last few months are in quarantine will soon be back in the Blue Stable Complex in the care of long-time assistant trainer, Trevor Brown.
Trevor reported on Wednesday evening:
“Our horses here in Dubai are all healthy and well. The top-rated newcomers Mars and Flying The Flag are enjoying their new surroundings and coming along nicely. Mars is an individual with a lovely action and a great attitude. I’ve also been impressed with Al Hebayeb, Almaanqith and Mutin, the new acquisitions from Sheikh Hamdan.
“Soft Falling Rain, David Livingston, The Apache, Kavanagh, Moonfarid, Wednaan are still in quarantine, while Gale Force Ten and Daddy Long Legs have just landed.”
The select band of horses en route from South Africa has settled in at Abington Place, Newmarket, where Steven Jell remains on duty. They will be shipped to Dubai within the next few weeks. Steven commented: “The horses that came from Cape Town via Mauritius are fine, there are no worries.”
Here is a list of the 2014 Dubai string, updated 6 November:
Older Horses
Soft Falling Rain (SAF); Shea Shea (SAF); Mars(IRE); Mushreq(AUS); Musir(AUS); Rerouted(USA); The Apache(SAF); Gale Force Ten(GB); Kavanagh(SAF); Daddy Long Legs(USA); Master Plan (SAF); Star Empire(SAF); Flying The Flag(IRE); Mickdaam(IRE); Mujaarib (AUS); Royal Ridge(SAF); Vercingetorix (SAF); Disa Leader(SAF); Anaerobio(ARG); David Livingston(IRE); Zahee(NZ); Merhee (AUS); Mutin(FR); El Estruendoso(ARG); Rumya (NZ); Specific Gravity(FR); Sanshaawes (SAF); Final Button(SAF); Red Duke(USA); Vasily(GB); Lehaaf(ARG); Alexandra Palace(SAF); Takadum(SAF); Ajeeb(NZ).
Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds
Al Hebayeb(GB); Wednaan(GB); Moonfaarid(GB); Burning Desire(GB); Tahadee(IRE); Jallota(GB); Almoonqith (USA).
Southern Hemisphere 3-y-olds
Mensoora (SAF); Magrooma (AUS); Magroora(AUS); Full Combat (SAF); Journeyman(SAF).
From other SA trainers
Heavy Metal (SAF); Variety Club (SAF); Blue Ridge Mountain (ARG).
Photo by illustration: Track work at Meydan in Dubai. (Andrew Watkins).
6 Comments
What a string!!! This should be best season to date with those horses
My prediction is that 2014 will be the year Mike takes the World Cup. Not sure which one will do it, but I think Mars will be a pretty good guess at this stage.
Top class. Will be there to witness the De Kock string take over Dubai! 🙂
It is always a pleasure flying your horses and especially talking with the staff. On this years flight from Mauritius I was lucky to be flying with Declan. Good luck for the carnival and I hope to be flying with you guys again soon.
Mike, I start chomping at the bit, when I think about Dubai 2014, what a string.
No matter the outcome you are a hero to the entire racing fraternity both local and worldwide and I wish you all the best.
I’m excited about Mars ( at last! ) running over a mile and half again. He was running on in the Epsom Derby, but has never run over this distance since!
It’s possible he may need even further.
Regards
Mike Green