DUBAI // Antonio Fresu is enjoying a remarkable first season in the UAE. The young Italian jockey picked up a Group 3 prize, two weeks after winning the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2.
He rode Nomorerichblondes to an impressive victory in the UAE Oaks over 1,900 metres at Meydan Racecourse. With Nashmia having withdrawn, Nomorerichblondes seized the opportunity to record her second win in five starts.
The filly stormed to the front down the home stretch to win by over a length from the fast-finishing Midnight Chica under Christopher Hayes.
“I was very confident and when I spoke to Ahmed [bin Harmash, the trainer] after she finished second in the trial [over 1,600m] the longer trip would suit her,” said Fresu, who took his season tally to 17 winners.
“She was travelling strongly ... She was more confident in herself and did it very easy.”
Godolphin had three winners with trainer Saeed bin Suroor saddling a double and Charlie Appleby taking the other.
The Dubai operation swept the top three spots in the second and third races. Bin Suroor claimed the Listed Meydan Classic with Top Score and Appleby bagged the next, a handicap, with Viren’s Army.
Top Score, under Adrie de Vries, came through the middle of the field to take the lead from the front-running Fly At Dawn to win by half a length. Real Special was third. Colm O’Donoghue on Viren’s Army led from start to finish over the 2,000m distance.
Oisin Murphy steered Beautiful Romance to a stunning victory over Vazirabad, winner of the Dubai Gold Cup last year, to complete Godolphin’s hat-trick under three different jockeys.
Sam Hitchcott sprang a surprise riding Etijaah to win the listed Curlin Handicap from Mike de Kock’s Mubtaahij.
Jim Crowley on Suyoof atoned for Mubtaahij’s defeat in the previous race by taking the concluding handicap in a thrilling finish for the South African trainer.
The British champion jockey weaved through horses from the back of the field to pip Godolphin’s Bravo Zolo and stable companion Tahanee as they flashed past the winning post.
Handassa left a disappointing first run of the season behind him with a battling victory in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, the trial race for the Kahayla Classic on Dubai World Cup night.
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BRAZIL SQUAD
Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).
At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE SQUAD
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
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The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k
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The five pillars of Islam
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
