Al Nayyir Returns for Redemption in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan

The son of Dubawi finished second to Tower of London twelve months ago and now aims to claim the top spot

Al Nayyir, a familiar face in distance challenges / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario) (DWC Media Team) – Al Nayyir returns to Meydan as a very different horse compared to the one that arrived in the United Arab Emirates in 2021.

Last year, the Dubawi-sired colt finished second in the Dubai Gold Cup (G2), sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, and was bred by Godolphin. However, his career in the United Kingdom had been fairly modest before being purchased by Elbashir Elhrari at the Racing In Dubai September Sale, organized by the Emirates Racing Authority, for a mere AED 40,000 ($11,000 / £8,500).

Adam Driver, manager and partner of Elhrari, recalls: “He had been having problems with his feet. We went to see him in Newmarket and you could tell he had been through a lot. I think they were really struggling with him.

“I really like the Godolphin sales because they provide a lot of information, all the veterinary records, and that’s incredibly helpful for the buyer to make a decision. He was probably one of the cheapest Dubawi horses ever sold at one of those auctions.”

“In Dubai, they love the sons of Dubawi, and for me, he’s the number one stallion worldwide because he produces turf horses as well as horses that perform very well on the dirt in Dubai. That’s why we always pay attention to them, and they usually have a high value at sales.”

Driver, a veterinarian with years of experience at the Dubai Equine Hospital, organized Al Nayyir’s arrival at Doug Watson’s stable.

“Doug is a great trainer, and he also knew his farrier,” Driver adds. “That was the key: fixing his feet. We had a plan, and we just needed time. In the end, we had a racehorse.”

“Fortunately, Bashir is a very smart guy, and he’s also a real sportsman who understands racing. I told him that, physically, Al Nayyir was a beautiful horse, but without proper feet, there’s no horse. It was one of those purchases where, at that price, if we could get him right, who knows what we could have.”

Patience paid off. During the 2022/23 season, Al Nayyir won three handicaps at Meydan and finished third in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy (G3) before continuing his progression with a campaign in France.

Twelve months ago, with a perfect ride, he finished second to Tower Of London (Galileo) in the Dubai Gold Cupand, after switching to Tom Clover’s training, he was just a head behind Vauban (Galiway) in the Lonsdale Cup (G2)at York. For Elhrari, a Libyan who has horses around the world, the experience has been unique.

“There was a race with Doug where he just appeared out of nowhere,” says Driver, founder of Global Equine Group. “That’s when we realized we had a special horse.”

“He’s a very interesting staying horse because he has a sprinter’s change of gear, which is uncommon. Normally, stayers are just gallopers. That makes him very versatile.”

The team considered bringing him back to the Dubai Racing Carnival, but they ultimately chose to travel to Saudi Arabia, where he finished fifth in the Red Sea Turf Handicap, carrying the maximum weight.

Driver is confident that the performance in Saudi Arabia helped him reach peak form ahead of this Saturday.

“I think he’s a horse that enjoys the winter sun,” he explains. “In December and January, he was a bit flat, didn’t like the weather in the UK. In Saudi Arabia, he arrived with a lot of coat, but he still ran well.”

“The track didn’t suit him, and unfortunately, the race was pretty chaotic around him, with a stronger-than-expected pace.”

“But the work he did last week with Luke Morris was excellent. Luke said he felt like he did before York. We’ve had some sunny days in the UK, and he’s spent time under heat lamps. He’s been tuned up and is in great form after Saudi Arabia.”