Brotherly Love claims opening honours as Dubai Racing Carnival returns to Meydan

Jamie Osborne's three-year-old colt secured victory in the Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum Cup as the 2026-2027 season commenced with a programme of compelling racing across six contests.

The opening night of the Dubai Racing Carnival brought with it the particular lustre that marks the return of racing to Meydan Racecourse, where tradition and skill converge on the track. Brotherly Love, trained by British horseman Jamie Osborne and ridden by Danny Tudhope, secured the inaugural prize of the season in the Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, dispatching the field with a commanding display that suggested considerable promise for the season ahead.

Competing in his handicap debut, the three-year-old colt travelled with assurance to defeat Sirocco Winds by five and a quarter lengths, a performance of particular note given his fourth-place finish in the G2 UAE Derby at his previous outing. The victory set the tone for an evening of fine racing that would see several notable achievements across the programme.

Colour Up, trained by Doug Watson under the accomplished guidance of jockey Pat Dobbs, claimed his first Meydan victory since 2023 when capturing the Emirates Airline Conditions Stakes with a narrow success over Ma Yetal, the pair separated by merely half a length at the finish. The contest demonstrated the competitive depth of racing on the card, with margins that spoke to the calibre of the opposition.

French jockey Jules Mobian secured a maiden Meydan win aboard Desert Horizon, trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, in the Emirates Holidays Handicap, a third career victory for the horse following a decisive three-quarter length triumph over Injazati. The evening also witnessed Union Security, trained by Ahmad bin Harmash with Conor Beasley in the saddle, claim the three-year-olds’ Emirates Skywards Conditions Stakes for the second consecutive opening night, winning decisively by five lengths over 1400 metres.

The juvenile division produced its own excitement when Ops made a victorious debut in the 1200-metre Emirates Courier Express Maiden under Tadhg O’Shea for trainer Bhupat Seemar, prevailing over favourite Jeyoush by a neck. Seemar and O’Shea completed an accomplished double when Na Eem claimed the 1400-metre Emirates SkyCargo race, defeating Cruzamento by two lengths.

Danny Tudhope added to his opening-night success by partnering Nam Phrik to victory in the closing Arabian Adventures Handicap, securing the horse’s first United Arab Emirates victory for owners Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga after a determined finish that saw off both Alsayel and Quality Humor.

The Dubai Racing Carnival resumes on 20th November with the Listed Dubai Creek Mile on the programme, promising further sporting excellence as the season unfolds.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The Dubai Racing Carnival remains one of the region’s most significant sporting occasions, drawing international talent and expertise whilst celebrating the heritage of horsemanship within the Emirates. The opening night demonstrated the calibre of competition and training excellence that characterises racing in the region, with jockeys, trainers and connections from across the globe converging at Meydan.

The continued success of the Racing Carnival underscores the Emirates’ position as a global centre for equestrian sport and leisure, reflecting the region’s commitment to fostering world-class sporting facilities and experiences that enhance the emirate’s reputation for excellence and sophistication.

Source: WAM