DUBAI// Godolphin's European season may have started with a whimper but once the Dubai-based racing operation hit Glorious Goodwood in July their fortunes were quick to change, culminating in last weekend's St Leger win.
Now their jockey, Frankie Dettori, has outlined Godolphin's plan to get out of the starting gates quickly for the inaugural Meydan season on home turf rather than waiting for the more important races at the end of the campaign.
"We will be there on January 28 with our knives sharpened and ready to go," said Dettori.
"This first Dubai season at Meydan has been a big priority for us for a long time."
Dettori said the stable would be bringing out their strongest runners from the outset to fight for honours on the two new tracks in front of the 60,000-seater Meydan grandstand.
And the seats will be needed with the new development set to attract the world's best trainers and jockeys.
Godolphin are in the best form of any after claiming their first English Classic in five years last week with a one-two by Mastery, under Ted Durcan, and Kite Wood, ridden by Frankie Dettori, in the Doncaster St Leger.
And they have been claiming victories all over Europe recently, with 38 winners in August alone.
Godolphin will need to produce something special to rival their own results in Dubai last year, when trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, topped the Dubai International Racing Carnival trainers' championship with 21 winners from 35 horses, almost twice as many as nearest competitor, Mike de Kock who had 12 from 34.
Those statistics could be improved if a glance at the stable at Al Quoz is anything to go by.
Godolphin boasts an exciting crop of juveniles which has dominated the English two-year-old scene over the last two months.
"We are going to have our full squad out for Dubai," said Dettori. "All our best horses will be going and we mean business. I can't wait. We are aiming to win the championship."
Godolphin founder, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, puts the success down to team unity.
"Everybody in Godolphin works as a team," he said after the race.
"These are horses, not machines and they are flesh and blood.
"The team is the same throughout the year - I am very proud of my team."
Although he is very much part of the team, Dettori also sees the new UAE season as an important step in his own career.
"This season is going to be important for Godolphin and for me personally," Dettori said.
"I don't know if people understand how much it will mean to me as a Dubai jockey to ride at Meydan.
"It's so exciting to be involved in this project and to ride on the beautiful new track. Everybody will be experiencing it for the first time because no-one knows what the track is like.
There is a lot of talk about it in England and I know a lot of jockeys and trainers are looking forward to returning to Dubai."
stregoning@thenational.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mountain%20Boy
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
How to help or find other cats to adopt
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Bookshops: A Reader's History by Jorge Carrión (translated from the Spanish by Peter Bush),
Biblioasis
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
