NEWMARKET, ENGLAND // The July Cup already looks stamped for export as the Group 1 sprint, which acts as the third British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, is to be contested by an international contingent of strength and depth.
Although rarely won by an overseas raider, Saturday night’s 1,200-metre event leaves Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s Aljamaaheer with the responsibility of leading the defence for those horses trained in Britain.
Edward Lynam saddles Slade Power and Sole Power, Royal Ascot winners last month who appear to have the race in a vice-like grip.
The pair are joined in a five-pronged assault from across the Irish Sea by Aidan O’Brien’s Due Diligence, an unlucky runner-up behind Slade Power in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, and the proverbial dark horses of the lightly-raced Fountain Of Youth and fellow three year old Cougar Mountain.
There is also Noozhoh Canarias, the Spanish raider who was sixth in May behind Night Of Thunder, Kingman and Australia in what is fast becoming a vintage English 2,000 Guineas.
To add a dose of stardust to proceedings Undrafted has flown in from America and will represent Wes Welker, the potential Hall Of Fame wide receiver for the Denver Broncos American football team who was to travel overnight to Newmarket with Anna Burns, his wife and former Miss Hooters International.
Undrafted has become acquainted with the undulating July Course over the past two days thanks to a morning gallop under Frankie Dettori.
With 21 horses scratched before racing yesterday after 31 millimetres of rain had fallen on the track since Thursday morning, the going has gone against Wesley Ward’s raider.
Welker, who is halfway through a US$12 million (Dh44m) two-year contract at Denver, is still hopeful his charge can triumph.
“It’s always nice to go and just enjoy it as a regular fan of the sport,” Welker said from the Florida training camp where he is preparing for the new NFL season, which starts in September.
“I get in early Saturday morning and head straight to the races, hopefully celebrate a little bit that night, then fly back the next morning.”
The going may have also gone against Sole Power, too, who may skip the race to leave his stablemate to fly the flag for Lynam and Darley, who sponsor the race on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Darley bought Slade Power earlier this week in a deal that will see the five-year-old entire race next in Australia for November’s VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington, the penultimate leg of the Global Sprint Challenge. The momentum generated on Thursday by horses owned by connections based in the UAE came to a quick halt yesterday when Rizeena had no answer to the turn of foot of Integral, who augmented her win at Royal Ascot with a two-length success in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes.
Before the race jockey Olivier Peslier joked that the lack of front-runners in the race would not be a concern for Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook’s filly as he was used to such situations in France.
Despite all of Peslier’s experience, he was found out by a sublime Ryan Moore, who kicked for the winning post a second earlier than his six rivals.
“We had a good start and showed good acceleration but the winner was just too strong today,” Peslier said.
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Squads
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
Terminator: Dark Fate
Director: Tim Miller
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis
Rating: 3/5
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
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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