NEWMARKET, ENGLAND // Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed’s Nahee won the UK Arabian Derby on Thursday.
Nahee had never before run in England, but under French jockey Charles Nora, trainer Jean-Pierre Totain’s bay colt was far too gutsy for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s fellow French raider Najlaa and Majd Al Uraiq from Belgium.
It was neck and neck between the three horses into the final two furlongs, but the winner wanted it more, according to the victorious jockey.
“I never thought I would lose,” Nora said.
“He ran a tremendous race and is all heart.”
Earlier in the day, Godolphin’s Maftool, ridden by Richard Hughes, won the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes over a mile.
Maftool is a rare runner in Godolphin’s blue silks, owned by Sheikh Hamdan, and the son of American sire Hard Spun led a 1-2-3 spree when his Markaz and Mubtaghaa finished in the places.
Given Maftool’s breeding, trainer Saeed bin Suroor did not rule out bringing the colt back to Dubai for the winter.
“He is still a little bit green, but he is one of the best two year olds in the stable,” he said. “He should be a good miler next year and, given his pedigree, could be one for the UAE Derby.
“We will go away and talk about it before making any decisions.”
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