Preview of the Arabian Racing Season 2005
By Paul Simmons

Gill Duffields Yard :-

Gill Duffield was Champion trainer in 2004 trains mostly for HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum who was leading owner in 2004. Her stable has a wealth of talent and includes several horses who have been campaigned over in UAE over the winter. Her potential stars for the season include:
Danseur Mondain – 4 yr old colt bought at Goffs last year and is going impressively at home.
Udgedai D’Agatchols – a smart looking 4 yr old colt who is full brother to multiple Group winner and 2003 Group 1 Zaabeel Stakes winner Djeldor De Bozouls.
Maestro Al Maury – a half brother to Monsieur Al Maury who won the Presidents Cup in Abu Dhabi.
Ashaab – a nice Shadwell bred colt by Triple Crown winner Bengali D’Albret.
Aljard – a 4 yr colt who won the Group 2 Jumeirah Stakes on Dubai Day last year as a juvenile, a speedy sort who will campaigned over sprint distances.
Jiyush – 7 yr old Entire who won the Group 1 Dubai Stakes in 2002 is back in the UK to race having won the Emirates Champion Stakes in UAE and also finished 4 th in the Arabian World Cup the Kahayla Classic.
Gill also has two smart 3 yr old (juvenile) fillies in training – Magi De Faust and Hatrah – by Makzan and a half sister to Jiyush.

Bill Smiths Yard :-

Former leading trainer Bill Smith trains mostly for HH Shiekh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum but also for other owners including Argentinian owner breeder Gerado Serra. He has several leading hopes for the current season including –
Malik D’Or – 4 yr old colt who won last year in France and was bought at Goffs (FR), and is owned by individuals from France, America, England and Argentina. Bill considers him to be “quite special and a possible for the Derby”.
Ashan D’Orroco – a 5 yr old gelding who’s had a few niggling problems but is going well now and is a “serious horse”.
Unfwan – a 4 yr old colt and full brother to multiple winner Balquees.
Circuit Chaser – 4 yr old American bred colt and won as juvenile last year and is working nicely.
Trust Me Too – 3 yr old colt and full brother to multiple race winner Trusted.

On The Move (Horse with New Trainers):

Danjani & Dormah De Brugere – From Gill Duffield to Tony Brunton.

Spyros – From Georgie Moore to Tony Brunton

Miss Moncrieff – From Tony Brunton to Georgina Ward

CS Volante – From Tony Brunton to Jackie Hutchings

Sparks R Flying – From Bill Smith to Paul Brown

Less Hormonal (Horse that have been castrated):

Al Jameh, Messenger Man & Maksun Angel – All trained by Bill Smith

Kalif D’Or & Nadjel – Trained by Gill Duffield

Sparks R Flying - Trained by Paul Brown

Returning From a Break:

Pronika returns after 21 months off the track (produced filly foal by Div in 2004) – trained by Angela Colledge.

Jiyush returns after a successful few years racing in UAE.