UAE trainers dominating European competition at Dubai World Cup

Godolphin horse trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmoud Al Zarooni have been impressive this season as Bin Suroor has recorded seven wins at Meydan and his Marmoom colleague four from 25 runners, writes Geoffrey Riddle.

UAE-based trainer Saeed bin Suroor, centre, is one of the local trainers who has picked up wins this season.

The marked success of UAE-based trainers at the Dubai World Cup Carnival has had an adverse effect on the fortunes of the international brigade, something which may be levelled out slightly on Thursday at Meydan Racecourse after a bumper entry from the European contingent.

Since Ger Lyons saddled Lily's Angel to win the Longines Saint Imier handicap on the opening night of the Carnival on January 10, a European trainer has yet to follow the Irish handler into the plush winners' enclosure at Meydan.

It is in stark contrast to last season, when Addictive Dream won two races in as many weeks for David Nicholls, the English trainer. A week later Blue Panis struck for Xavier Demeaulte, the French trainer.

The two Godolphin trainers of Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmoud Al Zarooni have hit the ground running this season. Bin Suroor has recorded seven wins at Meydan and his Marmoom colleague four from 25 runners.

Ali Rashid Al Raihe, Musbah Al Muhairi and Ernst Oertel have all continued their fine winter form on to the Carnival, with the latter registering his first Carnival victory with Capital Attraction.

Abdullah bin Huzaim, who sent out Le Drakkar to win on the opening night of the Carnival, has already equalled last season's tally of four winners.

There were over 50 horses representing European trainers entered across the six-race card yesterday.

Jim Bolger's Light Heavy and Marco Botti's Fanunalter were the only two international horses among the 14 entries in the Group 2 Al Rashidiya, a $US200,000 (Dh734,600) contest over 1,800m.

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