It might have been the final meeting of the Dubai Racing Carnival but 14 March 2025 will live long in the memory of Hilal Kobeissi. The British trainer collected a first overseas winner when Max Mayhem (pictured) stormed home in the featured Longines Spirit Flyback Handicap.
The seven-year-old was making his fourth start of the Carnival, but was much the best here, settling towards the back of the field in the 2410metre contest. Jockey Adrie de Vries was patient, asking his mount for an effort with 400metres left to go and charging home by three and a half lengths from Valdivia.
“There was plenty of pace,” he said. “I was a bit worried when I lost my cover on the backside, but I was pretty confident once we turned for home.”
The race was also notable for the return of De Vries, after some time out through injury.
“I clipped heels and had a bad fall a few weeks ago,” he said. “It was a very frustrating couple of weeks, I missed a few nice rides, but I’m lucky to be back so quickly. Everything seems fine.”
It was a huge win for Newmarket-based Kobeissi, who has a relatively small string at the moment, having previously run a pre-training operation.
“That was a De Vries masterclass!” he said. “This is a huge for our small team. We’re a young set-up with big ambitions.”
De Vries celebrated a quick double when Strobe took the very next race, the Longines Master Collection Moon Phase Chronograph Handicap, over 1200metres on dirt.
Simon and Ed Crisford’s six-year-old settled just behind a fast pace set up front by Sir Harmony and Smart System and was well positioned to take the lead in the straight, before needing to dig deep to see off the closing Deep Hope by half a length.
“There was a strong pace and I was always in a nice position,” said De Vries. “I always felt that the two in front would come back to me. He probably hit the front a little bit too soon and then kind of pulled up a little bit – I needed the line.”
Trainer’s Championship Heats Up
Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s is in pole position at the top of the UAE Trainers’ Championship and he wasted little time in getting on the scoresheet. His Al Arbed justified favouritism in the second race, the 1600metre Longines Mini Dolce Vita Handicap, under a positive ride from Danny Tudhope.
Positioned just behind the leaders in the early part of the race, Tudhope kicked for home off the final turn and opened up a commanding lead. However, his mount was visibly tiring towards the end, crossing the line a length ahead of stablemate Legend Of Cannes, with Moonshiner third.
“The trip was probably the main question mark, but he’s been super consistent, and deserved to get his head in front this season,” said Tudhope. “He travelled well, but I really did need the line. If I ride him again, I’ll try to hold on to him a little bit longer.”
Al Mheiri claimed a double when Al Shibli produced a brave effort to hold off all comers in the Longines Master Collection Handicap, race seven, over 1000metres on turf.
The six-year-old put up a bold effort from the front and always looked like holding Thunder Of Niagara and Markakol, which he did by half a length and a length and a quarter.
“He has won up the hill at Jebel Ali and last time he stayed with Tuz [in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal]the 400metres, so the ability is there,” said winning rider Silvestre de Sousa. “Coming back to turf was beneficial to him and Musabbeh has his horses in great shape.”
De Sousa is now just two behind Tadhg O’Shea at the top of the UAE Jockeys’ Championship after a double, initiated when Molaqab took the 1400metre turf Longines Conquest Handicap – his first local win.
