Desert Debuters: Compact Quartet Looks Evenly Matched

[Wandering Eyes]

In this series, we will have a look at American-bred first-time juvenile starters (through the end of 2024) and debuting 3-year-olds in maiden races at the tracks of the Emirates Racing Authority, with a specific focus on pedigree and/or performance in a sales ring. The flagship venue for racing in the United Arab Emirates is Meydan Racecourse, which will host racing predominantly on Fridays, with the exception of Super Saturday Mar. 1 and Dubai World Cup night Apr. 5, 2025. Here are the horses of interest for the Saturday card at all-dirt Jebel Ali:

3rd-JEB, AED60,000, NH2yo/SH3yo, 1200m (straight course)

MATCHABLE (Omaha Beach) is one of two in the race for trainer Salem bin Ghadayer and has the inside barrier for this first go. Runner-up in an 800-meter trial at this venue on Nov. 6 (see below), the May 11 foal is kin to two winners from four to race out of My Philly Girl (Empire Maker), also the dam of this year's GIII Chillingworth Stakes victress One Magic Philly (Good Magic) and SW My Philly Twirl (Hard Spun). A $115,000 Keeneland September yearling, Matchable was hammered down to Rabbah Bloodstock for €125,000 at this year's Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale (see below). The deeper female family includes three-time G1 Dubai Turf hero Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

 

 

Stablemate Gallant Blade (Maximum Security) was fourth, a length behind Matchable in the Nov. 6 barrier trial. A $110,000 KEENOV weanling turned $230,000 OBS April breezer (video), the chestnut is out of a half-sister to champion MG1SW Japanese dirt horse Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid), who swansongs in defense of his title in the G1 Champions Cup in early December. The Grade III-winning third dam Harpia (Danzig) was a full-sister to the irrepressible Danehill.

Rammayy (Win Win Win) was produced by a full-sister to MSW Pretty Perfection (Majesticperfection) and cost trainer Michael Costa $250,000 on behalf of Jebel Ali Stables at last year's Keeneland September Sale, while $25,000 Fasig-Tipton October and $50,000 OBS June grad Nedawy (Instagrand) completes the field.

 

WATCH: Nov. 6 trial featuring Matchable (2nd) and Gallant Blade (4th)

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