Farooq Racing Syndicate are hoping that new acquisition Eragon can qualify for next year’s Dubai World Cup.
Eragon is a winner of 10 races from 22 starts, including three Group 1 prizes in his native Argentina, before being sold to run in the United States.
He also competed in the inaugural US$12 million (Dh44m) Pegasus World Cup in January.
Ali Farooq, the racing manager of the syndicate, is excited about their new recruit, who he described as the “flag-bearer” for the 14 thoroughbreds in the stable.
“We are bringing him here for the Dubai World Cup Carnival. Let’s see if he qualifies for the Dubai World Cup, which would be the goal for a small stables like us,” the Emirati said.
“This is a chance we have to take. It’s very difficult to find a Group 1 winner. We have long-term plans for him as we want to run him in Singapore after the UAE season.
“There are three to four Group 1 races, including the Singapore Gold Cup in November, which we plan for him.
“He’s a fit horse and is now in the quarantine. Our investment in him is like any other racehorse, and we have to take a chance in this game.”
Farooq said it was his “gut feeling” to purchase Eragon despite the fact the horse finished last in the Pegasus Cup.
“He’s a pretty consistent horse. In the Pegasus World Cup he wasn’t on top of his game against horses like Arrogate and California Chrome,” Farooq said.
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“I saw him race and got the chance to speak to his connections and bought him. To try and win the Dubai World Cup would be a dream. You never know, things happen. That’s what horse racing is all about.
“For me, it doesn’t matter if we don’t win a race but winning a big race or a Group 1 will be enough for me for the whole season.”
Since the Pegasus Cup Eragon has placed fourth and sixth in a couple of handicaps.
“He lost his form a bit in the USA but we are hopeful he can regain his form in Dubai,” Farooq said.
“We have plans for him to be a stallion once he is done with racing. We have taken all that into consideration and I think he’s a good investment.
“Being a businessman and been in the industry for a long time, I believe in taking a chance. The plan is to run him in the Carnival and take him to Singapore soon after the UAE season concludes.”
The syndicate will run Zahrat Jumeirah – a fillies maiden – in the opener of the seven-race card at Meydan Racecourse’s third meeting tonight.
“We are hopeful she would have benefitted from her first career start,” Farooq said of the Scatt Daddy filly.
“She was sixth in a 1,200-metre Maiden in her first start and tackles the longer 1,400m this time, but she likes further, perhaps, 1,600m.
“She’s working well at home and should improve from her first run.”
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
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THE BIO: Mohammed Ashiq Ali
Proudest achievement: “I came to a new country and started this shop”
Favourite TV programme: the news
Favourite place in Dubai: Al Fahidi. “They started the metro in 2009 and I didn’t take it yet.”
Family: six sons in Dubai and a daughter in Faisalabad
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
ACC 2019: The winners in full
Best Actress Maha Alemi, Sofia
Best Actor Mohamed Dhrif, Weldi
Best Screenplay Meryem Benm’Barek, Sofia
Best Documentary Of Fathers and Sons by Talal Derki
Best Film Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky
Best Director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum
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