Queen Elizabeth II presents Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with the Diamond Jubilee trophy. Facundo Arrizabalaga / EPA
Queen Elizabeth II presents Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with the Diamond Jubilee trophy. Facundo Arrizabalaga / EPA
Queen Elizabeth II presents Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with the Diamond Jubilee trophy. Facundo Arrizabalaga / EPA
Queen Elizabeth II presents Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with the Diamond Jubilee trophy. Facundo Arrizabalaga / EPA

Royal Ascot: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid ecstatic after Blue Point secures rare double


  • English
  • Arabic

Blue Point completed the sprint double at Royal Ascot to become a Godolphin hero in the five-day festival meeting.

The Charlie Appleby-trained speedball, who landed the King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs on Tuesday, completed the double by clinching the Diamond Jubilee over six furlongs on the concluding day on Saturday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said it was an easy decision to bring Blue Point back to compete for a second Group 1 prize four days after winning his first.

“He is a very good horse, and after he won the King's Stand, it was quite an easy decision to run him again,” Sheikh Mohammed said of the five-year-old by Shamardal. “We wanted to see him another time at Ascot before he goes to stud at the end of the season.”

Blue Point became only the second horse to win the double since Choisir's remarkable feat in 2003.

“It’s a marvellous feat,” Sheikh Mohammed added. “Good horses give you great pleasure.”

Ridden by James Doyle, Blue Point tracked pace-setter Kachy and hit the front with a furlong to go, and held off the fast finishing Dream of Dreams to win by a head.

“That was pretty special,” the winning jockey said. “He gave me a great feel after his last piece of work before the King's Stand, and I said then he was one of the quickest horses I've ever ridden.

“It was a little bit hairy at the finish, but he's so genuine and I've never met a horse as tough as this.”

Pinatubo provided Godolphin, Appleby and Doyle the first of the two winners on the day by smashing the track-record time for two-year-olds by more than four-fifths of a second in the Listed Chesham Stakes.

Pinatubo joined Aidan O’Brien’s €900,000 (Dh3.7m) yearling Lope Y Fernandez in the final furlong before pulling away for an emphatic three-and-a-quarter length verdict over the seven-furlong trip. He stretched his unbeaten run to three.

Daniel Tudhope riding Dream of Dreams, No 5, battles with James Doyle riding Blue Point in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Bryn Lennon / Getty Images
Daniel Tudhope riding Dream of Dreams, No 5, battles with James Doyle riding Blue Point in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Bryn Lennon / Getty Images

“He came in here with the right credentials,” Appleby said of the winner. “I was quite confident throughout the race that we were going to be at the business end.

“Going forward, I think something like the [Group 2] Vintage Stakes [in July] would suit him. The undulations of Goodwood can catch some horses out, but he already has experience of Epsom.

“You need to be able to travel at Goodwood and that seems to be one of his attributes.”

It could have been two from two for the royal blues had Daniel Tudhope not got Space Traveller to pip Doyle on Space Blues by a head in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes 35 minutes later.

Masar, Godolphin’s 2018 Derby winner who was returning to the racetrack since winning the English Classic in more than a year, had to settle for fifth place after stumbling and going down on his nose at the start of the Hardwicke Stakes.

Doyle, though, was pleased with Masar’s effort.

“It was not ideal, we ended up a bit far back and they didn't go that quick,” the Godolphin jockey said. “When the stalls opened, his nose disappeared. When he came back up, he hit me in the chest and put me back in the saddle.

"We ended up a bit further back than we wanted and then he got caught for a bit of speed in the straight.”

Defoe under Andrea Atzeni in the silks of Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum produced a now-familiar late run to win the Group 2 prize from Czech raider Nagano Gold and Mirage Dancer by half-a-length and a length, respectively.

“I was in front a long way out and probably got there sooner than I'd like, which wasn't ideal. He's very straightforward, and you need good horses like Defoe on weeks like this."

“I'm really delighted. It's a special moment,” Defoe’s trainer Roger Varian said. "He's a very good horse. He’s getting better with age it seems.

“Hopefully we can bring Defoe back for the King George [at Ascot on July 27]. It has to be on the radar with a nice break between now and then and we’re excited for the rest of the season.

“He’s sort of everyone’s favourite horse and he’s just hard not to like. He had always had a good attitude as a colt, and it was Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s decision to geld him, which is possibly going to elongate the horse’s career.”

The owner, trainer and jockey partnership completed a double when Cape Byron landed the Workingham Stakes, the fifth race.

The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books

8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21

  1. Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
  2. Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
  3. Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
  4. Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
  5. Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
  6. Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
  7. Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
  8. Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
BELGIUM%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20Thibaut%20Courtois%2C%20Simon%20Mignolet%2C%20Koen%20Casteels%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EDefenders%3A%20Jan%20Vertonghen%2C%20Toby%20Alderweireld%2C%20Leander%20Dendoncker%2C%20Zeno%20Debast%2C%20Arthur%20Theate%2C%20Wout%20Faes%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMidfielders%3A%20Hans%20Vanaken%2C%20Axel%20Witsel%2C%20Youri%20Tielemans%2C%20Amadou%20Onana%2C%20Kevin%20De%20Bruyne%2C%20Yannick%20Carrasco%2C%20Thorgan%20Hazard%2C%20Timothy%20Castagne%2C%20Thomas%20Meunier%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EForwards%3A%20Romelu%20Lukaku%2C%20Michy%20Batshuayi%2C%20Lo%C3%AFs%20Openda%2C%20Charles%20De%20Ketelaere%2C%20Eden%20Hazard%2C%20Jeremy%20Doku%2C%20Dries%20Mertens%2C%20Leandro%20Trossard%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times

If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.

A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.

The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.

In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.

The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.

Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.

Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.

“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.

The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.

“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.

“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

How to volunteer

The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.

PROFILE OF STARZPLAY

Date started: 2014

Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand

Number of employees: 125

Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners

MANDOOB
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Ali%20Kalthami%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Mohammed%20Dokhei%2C%20Sarah%20Taibah%2C%20Hajar%20Alshammari%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

What is Genes in Space?

Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.

It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration. 

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised

General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.

"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.

He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

HIV on the rise in the region

A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.

New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.

Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.

Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.  

Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets