Jockey Pat Cosgrave to return to racing in Dubai this week at Meydan

The Irish rider eligible again after agreeing to pay money owed to the Emirates Racing Authority following his appeal over ban for improper riding in 2014.

Pat Cosgrave riding Society Rock to win The Golden Jubilee Stakes on June 18, 2011 in Ascot, England. Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Pat Cosgrave is set for a return to Dubai after he conceded to pay the Emirates Racing Authority in order to be removed from the regulatory body’s Forfeit List.

The Irish rider was banned for six months after he was found guilty of improper riding aboard Anaerobio in the Group One Jebel Hatta at Meydan in 2014.

Cosgrave appealed against his suspension and it was later reduced to four months. It was not enough for Cosgrave, and he went to the British Horse racing Authority, who did not reciprocate the suspension.

The Emirates Racing Authority continued to pursue Cosgrave for costs, however, and the sum stood at Dh200,000, but the jockey has revealed he has now come to an agreement to pay the organisation so he can return to riding in the country.

“I am paying the money off,” Cosgrave told The National. “I have had a good chat with Sam Shinsky, the ERA Steward, and Frank Gabriel at the Dubai Racing Club and we have come to an arrangement. I am paying it all off and they have been very good about it.”

Cosgrave spoke with Mike de Kock in the summer and will return to Blue Stables in time for the first Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting at Meydan on Thursday and is clear to ride.

The South African trainer has 24 horses accepted to the Carnival, although could have more throughout the season. In a twist one of them is Anaerobio, who was among Monday’s entries for the 1,400-metre turf handicap on Meydan’s seven-race card on Thursday.

Cosgrave will share the rides with Jim Crowley, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s new retained rider, Christophe Soumillon and Bernard Fayd’Herbe.

The latter’s lowest riding weight is around 56kg, which limits his opportunities and there should be several openings for Cosgrave to pick up freelance mounts.

In the four seasons in the UAE up until his ban, Cosgrave collected Dh7,016,008 in prize-money and since his return to Britain full time he has struck up a fruitful association with William Haggas in Newmarket. Cosgrave broke the 100 winners barrier in Britain in the past two seasons.

“I’m only 34 and hopefully I’ll ride for another 15 years,” Cosgrave added. “I want to put it behind me. Hopefully I can make the costs back. It won’t be easy but hopefully I will be riding for free for only one season.

“I don’t want to go in to it whether I was right or wrong or they were right or wrong. I want to draw a line under it.”

Polar River is the star drawcard to Thursday’s opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge and last season’s champion juvenile filly will be up against stablemate Cool Cowboy in the Grade 2 contest over 1,600 metres.

Polar River, trained by Doug Watson, won the UAE 1,000 Guineas and Oaks last season before coming up against Japanese colt Lani in the UAE Derby.

The daughter of Congrats was fourth on her seasonal debut in a Conditons race at Meydan in November.

Godolphin have four entries, with Charlie Appleby’s former English 2,000 Guineas hope Emotionless the most significant.

Appleby, who has already had three winners in Dubai this season, also runs Footbridge, who has yet to win in four starts in Dubai since coming from America. Saeed Bin Suroor saddles American Hope and the four year old Silent Attack. De Kock has entered the exciting Argentinian Grade One winner Saltarin Dubai in addition to compatriot Lindo Amor.

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