UAE/UK. Dubai Duty Free hosted the latest International Weekend of horse racing at Newbury Racecourse, marking 25 years of support for British racing by the retailer in the process. The big race was won by Alkumait, who completed a big race double for His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, when taking the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes on day two.
The meeting was this year run behind closed doors, forcing the absence of members of Dubai Duty Free’s senior management team for the first time in the history of their sponsorship.
Ridden by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan’s retained jockey, Jim Crowley, Alkumait went from last to first to score a three quarters of a length victory over the fancied Fivethousandtoone in the major event. The double was initiated by the Mark Johnston-trained Erlaqam who returned to winning form in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup earlier in the afternoon beating four rivals, including Desert Encounter who was bidding to win the race for the third time.
There was also success on the day for Godolphin and H.H Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum with the Godolphin blue carried to victory by William Buick aboard Lazuli in the Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy while Ilaraab took the valuable Dubai Duty Free Handicap.
Friday’s feature saw a return to the winners enclosure of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s maroon and white silks, now registered to H.H Sheikha Al Jalila Racing, when Glorious Journey completed a treble on the day for jockey James Doyle in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup.
