Seemar Mob-Handed In Al Maktoum Challenge

[Wandering Eyes]

Fashion Friday at Meydan features a nine-race card, eight of them for Thoroughbreds, and the crowning jewel is the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge, which grants the victor an entry in the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup on March 28.

The 2026 edition features the past two winners in Walk Of Stars (Dubawi) and Kabirkhan (California Chrome), who are both trained by Bhupat Seemar.

“Walk Of Stars had a lot of weight to give away first time out, against horses who were race fit,” Seemar said of the gelding's fourth in the Listed Entisar in December. “He's fit and off level weights so hopefully he's going to give a good showing.

“Kabirkhan kind of fluffed the start on his first run for us,” he continued. “He was drawn on the inside, broke slow and got a lot of kickback. We've got blinkers on him now as he's an older horse so he's getting a bit clever, but he's still got a world of talent.”

Among Seemar's other four entrants is the multiple group-placed Artorius (Arrogate), who ran second to Jamie Osborne's Heart Of Honor (Honor A. P.) in the Listed Entisar last out.

“Artorius was a very good horse in the States, but then his form sort of tapered off a little bit,” he said. “He came over last year and kept on improving. I think he'll improve again and I'm hoping for a very good run.”

Imperial Emperor (Dubawi) won the G2 Al Maktoum Mile in grand fashion and steps back up to 1900 metres on Friday.

“Imperial Emperor was second in this race last year but I think he's a better horse now,” said Seemar.

Of Heart Of Honor, who will be ridden by his daughter Saffie, Osborne said, “We know the style in which he's going to race, it's 'win ugly'. He certainly conserves energy on the way round, but that's probably one of the factors which makes him such a strong stayer. As long as they go hard and turn it into a proper end to end, stamina-requiring race, then he'll be coming into his own.”

Jebel Hatta Up For Grabs

Godolphin fields the five-for-seven Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath) and four-time Group 1 winner Nations Pride (Teofilo) in the 1800-metre G1 Jebel Hatta. Both are Charlie Appleby trainees, with the former a strong winner of the G2 Al Rashidiya in December.

“Opera Ballo put up a good performance in the Al Rashidiya, when he picked up some valuable experience of racing at Meydan,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “He goes into the race in great order and this is the logical next test for him. It is a small field, but everyone in there deserves respect.

“I feel that Nations Pride has come forward for his last run as his work since has been a bit sharper. He has plenty of experience under his belt and conditions are there to suit. He is a rock-solid horse and I'm sure he will put up another strong effort.”

GI Canadian International hero Silawi (Dubawi) is another in with a chance and is trained by Hamad Al Jehani, while Holloway Boy (Ulysses) ran third in this contest a year ago.

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