ABU DHABI // AF Maqayes proved “sprinting is his game” after picking up his biggest career prize — the Dh300,000 Al Ruwais Group 3 — in Sunday night’s six-race card at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
Jockey Tadhg O’Shea had Khalid Khalifa Al Naboodah’s homebred bay son of AF Al Buraq bolting out of the starting stalls, and he led all the way to win the 1,000-metre dash by two-and-a-half lengths from Ain Jaloot under Fernando Jara.
RB So Rich, fourth in this race 12 months ago, finished third this time out but more than 10 lengths adrift of the winner.
“There are no races over this distance for the Purebred Arabians in his level at the start of the season, so he had to run over the longer distances, which was a pity,” O’Shea said of AF Maqayes.
“Sprinting is his game, and he loves the grass here. He has a lot of speed, quickens up and he’s a pleasure to ride.
“He’s very, very genuine and very straightforward.”
__________________________________
Read more
■ Hoppertunity: Preps for Dubai World Cup with last-to-first win
■ Mubtaahij: Mike de Kock eyes prep run for Dubai World Cup
■ Furia Cruzada: Excels on Meydan debut to win Al Maktoum Challenge
__________________________________
O’Shea, who also won Race 3, the Gold Cup, aboard Hamza for trainer Eric Lemartinel, then completed a hat-trick by riding ES Fatek in to the Winner’s Circle in Race 5 for Grandstand Stables trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
AF Maqayes’s victory on the night was his seventh overall and fourth over the 1,000m distance.
Another Purebred Arabian to impress on the night was Maisoor, who stayed perfect on the season with his eighth win from eight starts.
The Burning Sand colt left his rivals gasping for air in the Listed Arabian Triple Crown Round 1 for four-year-old Purebred Arabians, the second race on the card last night, over the 1,600m.
Trained in Oman by Said Al Badi and under Omani jockey Anas Al Siyabi, Maisoor took over the running from the halfway mark and romped home by more than six lengths.
Al Siyabi was all hands and heels on the grey colt as he guided him to the shortest way home.
The battle really was for the runners-up spot between Lemartinel’s trio with Amwaj and jockey Royston Ffrench second, followed by Tahany and Harry Bentley and Mawahib with Nicolas Barzalona aboard in fourth.
It was Maisoor’s second visit to Abu Dhabi and the results were much the same.
On the first occasion he left some of the same rivals in last night’s rematch also struggling when he finished more than 10 lengths ahead of them in the Listed Abu Dhabi Championship over the same distance.
The remaining six of his victories have been at the Muscat track.
“People told me he had won over most of these rivals previously and not to get worried, but you are worried until the race is over,” Al Badi said. “He’s a good horse and he proved it tonight by winning by more than six lengths.
“The second round of the Triple Crown would be the next option depending on how he’s come out of this race.
“And the long-term objective obviously would be the Dubai Kahayla Classic on the Dubai World Cup meeting.”
Antonio Fresu and the Ernst Oertel-trained Tijaara took the opener and Patrick Cosgrave bagged the concluding prize on Satish Seemar’s Taaj, the solitary race for the thoroughbreds.
apassela@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
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
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
