Saeed bin Suroor's fallow season continued Saturday when Poet's Voice, the favourite, finished last in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood.
The Godolphin trainer won the race last year with Frankie Dettori in the saddle, but the same combination could not deliver this time for the operation's founder, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, the Vice President of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.
Emerald Commander, Bin Suroor's other hope, could only manage fifth.
However, there was some reason for cheer for the Emirati trainer at Windsor, where Prince Siegfried won the Group 3 Stakes, improving his record to three wins from 35 Group races in Britain this season.
The victory by The Royal Applause colt was piloted by Ted Durcan, who finished ahead of Dux Scholar, the favourite, and Simon De Montfort, the Godolphin horse trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni.
Rakasa, meanwhile, had to settle to second place in the Group 3 Prestige Stakes over seven furlongs at Goodwood Saturday.
In other news, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed's Namibian remains in intensive care after having undergone surgery for colic on Friday.
Although trainer Mark Johnston said the three-year-old colt is "back on his feet", he will not be seen for the rest of the season - including in the St Leger.
The Middleham handler said on his website, www.markjohnston.com: "Namibian was found to be showing signs of colic [on Friday morning] and our vet, John Martin, attended and treated him at 5.30am. By 7.30 am, when he was not responding to the initial treatment, a decision was made to transfer him to the Newmarket Equine Hospital and, on arrival there, they decided to operate.
"He is back on his feet [on Friday evening], but he has undergone major abdominal surgery and part of his bowel has been bypassed.
"He will remain under intensive care for a few days, and we must now hope that there are no complications. Whatever happens, he will not be racing again this year."
Sunday, Godolphin's Time Prisoner bids for back-to-back Group 3 wins in the six-furlong Prix de Meautry - Lucien Barriere at Deauville, France.
Elsewhere, the Dubai operation's African Story seeks a second win of the season, and a first in Pattern company, when he contests the Group 3 Prix Quincey - Lucien Barriere over a mile at the same venue.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
SRI LANKA SQUAD
Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
