MIKE de Kock’s team of grooms and assistants in Dubai enjoyed what their e-mail to us described as a “pre-season staff braai” at Blue Stables at the weekend.

They mailed us this photograph featuring roving assistant-trainer-come-farrier-come-psychiatrist Declan Cronin (front left) and the happy Blue Team, some of whom have been with the UAE yard for the best part of 13 years! Yes, believe it or not, Mike will be racing in the desert for his 14th successive season in 2016.

No mention was made of the whereabouts of veteran assistant Trevor Brown (early sunset normally past the old fella’s bedtime though), or whether the festivities marked the Boss’ arrival later this week.

More Dubai news on this site from now on and into he 2016 International Racing Carnival.

For the benefit of our readers abroad: “Braai” is the South African word for “barbeque”.