European horses adjust to weather nicely

Ridden by Frankie Dettori, Gamilati coasts to victory at Meydan Racecourse.

Mild weather in Europe these past few months has contributed heavily to the initial success at Meydan Racecourse of horses shipped from Europe to the UAE.

Britain has had the second warmest year on record, with autumn temperatures particularly high.

The horses housed in Meydan's International Stables have looked in significantly better shape this year when compared to 12 months ago.

Godolphin had one large shipment in November from their base in Newmarket, which included Gamilati, yesterday's impressive winner of the UAE 1,000 Guineas trial.

On Thursday, European-based trainers provided the first four home in the Logines Column Wheel Chronograph handicap, with David Nicholls securing his first winner in Dubai after 66 attempts with Addictive Dream. Mike de Kock, the adopted son of UAE racing, has also clearly benefited as Mahbooba, who spent much of the year in Newmarket, won the Al Rashidiya trial.

Even Michael Attwater, who trains around 30 horses in England, managed to secure the runner-up spot with Lyssio behind Godolphin's Honor System in the Prima Luna Handicap.

It is a marked contrast to last year when Britain endured the coldest December on record and European horses struggled on the first Carnival card.

With around 50 horses arriving on Monday, the Europeans could also feature strongly on Thursday's Dubai World Cup Carnivalcard as horses enjoy a significant advantage when running off the plane.