Dubai Carnival Meydan Preview (Fashion Friday ) Fri 23rd Jan 2026

The Al Maktoum Challenge, is a horse race run over a distance of 1,900 metres (approximately one and three-sixteenth miles) on dirt in late January at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. The event was known as Al Maktoum Challenge, Round 3 and was the third of three races in the Al Maktoum Challenge series which serve as trial races for the Dubai World Cup but was renamed in 2024

It was first run in 1994 on dirt at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. It was transferred to Meydan in 2010 where it was run on the synthetic Tapeta Footings surface. In 2015 the synthetic surface at Meydan was replaced by a dirt track.^[1]

The race began as an ungraded stakes race before attaining Listed status in 1996. The race was elevated to Group 3 level in 2000 and became a Group 2 event in 2002. The race became a Group 1 event in 2012.

Fashion Friday at Meydan with decent card featuring 8 group races , including the feature race the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge worth million US Dollars .

Al Maktoum Challenge Presented By Longines (Group 1) (Dirt) (3yo+) Winner £446,964 9 runners 1m1f110y Fast SK/RT 

race conditions  £744,939 guaranteed For  southern hemisphere 3yo; northern hemisphere 4yo+ Weight for age  4yo from 5yo+ 1lb Penalty value  1st  £446,963.56 2nd  £148,987.85 3rd  £74,493.93 4th  £37,246.96 5th  £22,348.18 6th  £14,898.79

8 runners declared Al Maktoum Challenge over 1900 metres (1M 1F 110YDS) on the dirt .

Last years winner WALK OF STARS , looked in need of the race when only third in listed race at Meydan last month behind Heart Of Honour , though that was his first run for 255 days . Had some useful form last season , including winning this race last year in impressive style .Also finished fair fourth in Dubai World Cup . Can reverse form with Heart Of Honour on 7lb better terms.Odds around 3-1 look solid value . 

Stablemate IMPERIAL EMPEROR , looks the main danger after winning mile G2 contest at Meydan last month, has decent record here at Meydan on dirt (4 out 6) , including finishing creditable second in this race last year 

The improving HEART OF HONOUR,can't be ruled out after winning both starts this season , including winning listed contest over C&D last time in good style , beating two of todays rivals Walk Of Stars & Artorius, though had fitness edge that day, faces much stiffer task here in G1 company meeting Walk Of Stars on 7lb worse terms .

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VERDICT : (1) WALK OF STARS (2) IMPERIAL EMPEROR (3) HEART OF HONOUR 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Al Fahidi Fort is a horse race run over a distance of 1,400 metres (seven furlongs) on turf in January at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. The race is named after the oldest existing building in Dubai.

The race distance was 1600 metres until 2014 it was reduced to 1400 metres.The race began as a Listed race in 2003. The race was elevated to Group 3 level in 2004 and became a Group 2 event in 2006.

Al Fahidi Fort Presented By Longines (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £103,239 15 runners 7f Good SK/RT

race conditions  £172,065 guaranteed For  southern hemisphere 3yo; northern hemisphere 4yo+ Penalty value  1st  £103,238.87 2nd  £34,412.96 3rd  £17,206.48 4th  £8,603.24 5th  £5,161.94 6th  £3,441.30 

Big Field for Al Fahidi Fort with 15 runners going to post for this group 2 contest on the turf .

Last years winner MARBAAN has to be respected, very consistent sort, finished fair third last time in listed company behind Mysterious Night. Had some useful form last season winning twice at the Meydan carnival in G2 & G3 company , though has to overcome very difficult draw in stall 15.

Last years runner-up and 2024 winner MYSTERIOUS NIGHT, should go well after making winning reappearance at Meydan last month in listed company.Has excellent record here at Meydan (122116). Stall 10 is not ideal, though should be able to get position just behind the pace setters and use his potent turn foot in closing stages . Odds 7-2 look solid value .

Best of the rest looks to be Irish raider CHICAGO CRITIC , ran better than his finishing position would suggest last time at Meydan behind Quddwah , staying on nicely in closing stages in slowly run race .Will be suited by likely stronger pace , had shown some fair form in Ireland last season .Each-way claims .

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VERDICT : (1) MYSTERIOUS NIGHT (2) MARBAAN (3) CHICAGO CRITIC 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RECOMMENDED BETS FRIDAY 23RD JANUARY 2025 

MYSTERIOUS NIGHT 2.40 AL FAHIDI FORT 

1PT WIN @ 7-2 WILLIAM HILLS (UNPLACED SP 2-1 )

FULL RESULT : 1ST ELNAJM 40-1 : 2ND CHICAGO CRITIC 14-1 : 3RD TUMBLER 28-1

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WALK OF STARS 4.25 AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE 

1PT WIN @ 11-4 888BET (UNPLACED SP 11-4 )

FULL RESULT : 1ST IMPERIAL EMPEROR 2-1F : 2ND TUMBARUMBA 18-1 : 3RD HEART OF HONOUR 5-2

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quebec Stakes Preview Lingfield (Wed 31st December 2025 )

The Quebec Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at Lingfield Park in December.The race was first run in 2007.

Midnite Quebec Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+) Winner £28,355 6 runners 1m2f1y Standard SKY

race conditions  £50,000 guaranteed For  3yo+ Weights  3yo colts & geldings 9st 8lb; fillies 9st 3lb; 4yo+ colts & geldings 9st 10lb; fillies 9st 5lb Penalties  after March 31st, 2025, a winner of a Listed race 3lb; of a Group 3 race 5lb; of a Group 1 or Group 2 race 7lb Weight for age  3yo from 4yo+ 2lb Entries  6 pay £250 Penalty value  1st  £28,355.00 2nd  £10,750.00 3rd  £5,380.00 4th  £2,680.00 5th  £1,345.00 6th  £675.00

Final flat listed race of 2025, with just five declared for 10f contest on polytrack at Lingfield .

2023 winner TYRRHENIAN SEA  can outclass this field, after making promising return after 6 month break at Kempton earlier this month , has excellent record here at Lingfield (22121) , including finishing good second in this race last year behind the useful 120 rated Royal Champion.Also won the Tandridge listed stakes in February over C&D at Lingfield Should be difficult to beat in this weak looking listed contest .Guide price Evens or bigger is acceptable .

MILITARY ACADEMY  has claims on first start for Jane Chapple-Hyam.The former John/Thady Gosden trained gelding changed hands for 50,000 Guineas at recent horses in training sale.Had some fair form earlier in season , including finishing second in G3 Winter Derby at Southwell on All Weather , though has been very disappointing on turf on his last two starts .Will need to bounce back to his best returning to All Weather .

Of the others TORITO looks the most interesting on the pick of his turf form , including coming third in listed company at Newmarket in November behind Liberty Lane , however was well held behind Holloway Boy on his first start on All Weather at Kempton last time .Looks open to improvement on All Weather , though has quite bit to find with Tyrrhenian Sea on Kempton form .

VERDICT : (1) TYRRHENIAN SEA (2) MILITARY ACADEMY (3) TORITO

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TYRRHENIAN SEA 2.00 LINGFIELD QUEBEC LISTED STAKES 

2PTS WIN @ EVENS (BEST ODDS GUARANTEE) HILLS ,BETFRED ,BETVICTOR 

(SECOND SP 13-8 LOSS 2.00 PTS )

FULL RESULT : 1ST NEBRAS 7-2 : 2ND TYRRHENIAN SEA 13-8 : 3RD DUKES COMMAND 12-1 

DISTANCE : SHORT HEAD .

Wild Flower Stakes Preview Kempton (Wed 17th Dec 2025 )

The Wild Flower Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 219 yards (2,413 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late November or early December.The race was first run in 2007.

Unibet Wild Flower Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+) Winner £28,355 6 runners 1m3f219y Standard To Slow RTV (STALLS Inside)

race conditions  £50,000 guaranteed For  3yo+ Weights  3yo colts & geldings 9st 4lb; fillies 8st 13lb; 4yo+ colts & geldings 9st 8lb; fillies 9st 3lb Penalties  after March 31st, 2025, a winner of a Listed race 3lb; of a Group 3 race 5lb; of a Group 1 or Group 2 race 7lb Entries  7 pay £250 Penalty value  1st  £28,355.00 2nd  £10,750.00 3rd  £5,380.00 4th  £2,680.00 5th  £1,345.00 6th  £675.00

Just small but select field for listed Wild Flower Stakes over 12 furlongs on poly track at Kempton .

Four time group one winner DUBAI HONOUR  looks the class act in this field after winning the listed Churchill Stakes at Southwell earlier this month under 7lb penalty.Had previously won G1 contest in Australia ,also  finished second three times in G1/G2 races in Germany ,France & Australia this season.Has to concede weight all round here, though will be difficult to beat back in listed company.Guide Price 13-8 or bigger is very fair value .

Former G1 Futurity winner ANCIENT WISDOM , has decent claims on his best turf form, including winning the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket last season, also finished fair 2.5l second in G3 St Simon stakes at Newbury in October behind Hamish , has to respected on All Weather debut, though his form has dipped this season, hasn't won now for over 17 months . Looks worth opposing .

Of the others dual C&D winner SHADER , looks main danger on his excellent All Weather (record 1112) after finishing 1L second behind Dubai Honour in Churchill Stakes at Southwell when 4-7 shot .Will be suited returning to Kempton back over 1M 4F , though will need more improvement to beat Dubai Honour on same terms as the Churchill stakes .

VERDICT : 1ST DUBAI HONOUR : 2ND SHADER : 3RD ANCIENT WISDOM 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RECOMMENDED BET :

DUBAI HONOUR 6.10 KEMPTON WILD FLOWER STAKES

1PT WIN @ 2.84 BETFAIR 

(SECOND SP 5-2 LOSS 1.00 PT )

FULL RESULT : 1ST SHADER 5-4F : 2ND DUBAI HONOUR 5-2 : 3RD ANCIENT WISDOM 7-4

Hong Kong Vase Preview (Sha Tin Sun 14th Dec 2025 )

Hong Kong International Races (香港國際賽事) is an event consisting of the four most prestigious horse races in Hong Kong hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The four races are: Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Hong Kong Mile (1600m), Hong Kong Cup (2000m), and Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

The event is run annually in mid-December at Sha Tin Racecourse.The event has been sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways from 2004 to 2011. But since 2012, the Swiss watch brand, Longines, has been sponsoring the event, with its official title as Longines Hong Kong International Races.^[1]

The event is televised around the globe. The total purse for 2025 has increased to $130 million HKD .

Longines Hong Kong Vase (Group 1) (3yo+) (Course A) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £1,497,942 11 runners 1m4f Good SKYrace conditions  £2,674,897 guaranteed For  3yo+ Penalty value  1st  £1,497,942.39 2nd  £561,728.40 3rd  £307,613.17 4th  £160,493.83 5th  £93,621.40 6th  £53,497.94

High quality turn out for Hong Kong Vase over 1M 4F on ground likely to be on fast side of good .

Last years winner GIAVELLOTTO  should go well after finishing good fourth in ARC at Longchamp in October , that was decent effort on testing ground (Best form on much quicker surface) Had previously won September Stakes at Kempton , beating the useful mare Kalpana in good style.Was also impressive winner of this race last year, beating Dubai Honour by 2.5L,after suffering quite bit interference early in straight .Looks the one to beat on form .Odds around 5-2 look solid value .

Useful French colt SOSIE  has to be considered after finishing placed in ARC the last two years , has shown some decent form in France winning three G1 races , though all his best form has been on soft surface.Unproven on ground this fast , though interesting runner for Andre Fabre .

Of the others Japanese colt URBAN CHIC  has shown some fair form , including winning Japanese St Leger last season. Yet to win in three starts this season, though the return to 1M 4F will suit, after finishing close fifth in 1M 2F group one contest last time .

Irish raider AL RIFFA has claims on his best form.Slightly disappointing in Melborne Cup last time when finishing never nearer seventh, though had previously won Irish St Leger in good style over 1M 6F .The return to 1M 4F shouldn't be problem , having finished good second in Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot behind Rebels Romance over this trip back in June .Should be in the mix 

VERDICT : 1ST GIAVELLOTTO 2ND URBAN CHIC 3RD AL RIFFA  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The other International races don't offer any value bets , with Romantic Warrior & Ya King Rising difficult to oppose in Hong Kong Cup & Hong Kong Sprint , though at 1-5 & 1-10 makes no appeal .The Hong Kong mile looks very competitive, though very difficult to split half the field on form .No bet race .

RECOMMENDED BETS :

GIAVELLATTO 6.10 AM UK TIME (HONG KONG VASE) 

1PT WIN @ 5-2 MOST FIRMS 

(SECOND SP 11-4 LOSS 1.00 PT ) 

FULL RESULT : 1ST SOSIE 5-2F : 2ND GIAVELLOTTO 11-4 : 3RD GOLIATH 14-1 

Hyde Stakes Preview Kempton (Mon 1st Dec 2025)

The Hyde Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late November or early December.The race was first run in 2007.

Unibet Hyde Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+) Winner £28,355 8 runners 1m Standard To Slow RTV (STALLS Inside)

race conditions  £50,000 guaranteed For  3yo+ Weights  3yo colts & geldings 9st 5lb; fillies 9st; 4yo+ colts & geldings 9st 6lb; fillies 9st 1lb Penalties  after March 31st, 2025, a winner of a Listed race 3lb; of a Group 3 race 5lb; of a Group 1 or Group 2 race 7lb Weight for age  3yo from 4yo+ 1lb Entries  8 pay £250 Penalty value  1st  £28,355.00 2nd  £10,750.00 3rd  £5,380.00 4th  £2,680.00 5th  £1,345.00 6th  £675.00

8 runners declared for the 1 mile Hyde Stakes on the polytrack at Kempton .

The Karl Burke trained five-year-old gelding HOLLOWAY BOY  tops the BHA ratings on mark 114 , 6lb clear on official ratings ,has shown decent form on turf this season , including finishing placed in G1/G2 in Dubai earlier in the season .Returned to form in October finishing close second in Balmoral handicap at Ascot ,off mark 110. though was disappointing 6th of 9 in this race last year on first start on All Weather.Obvious claims on his turf form , though doesn't have greatest strike rate 2 out 22 .

All Weather specialist TYRRHENIAN SEA  looks the each-way value returning to the polytrack .Has excellent record on All Weather surfaces 5 wins from 13 starts (1114227213321) Had some decent form last season, including winning two listed races at Lingfield , also finished placed in Winter Derby.Returns after five month break after disappointing on turf , though has gone well fresh in past. Odds around 9-1 look solid each-way value .

Of the others the three-year-old gelding CHANCELLOR  looks the most interesting , highly regarded as two-year-old winning two from 3 starts , though disappointing on his first two starts on turf as three-year-old, though had wind operation and been  gelded .Bounced back to form on his first start on All Weather last time, winning decent 7f handicap at Kempton last month off mark 99 .Looks open to further improvement on All Weather over mile , though hasn't been missed in the market at 2-1

VERDICT : (1) TYRRHENIAN SEA .(2) HOLLOWAY BOY (3) CHANCELLOR 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TYRRHENIAN SEA 3.27 KEMPTON HYDE LISTED STAKES 

0.50PTS EACH-WAY @ 9-1 MOST FIRMS (BEST ODDS GUARANTEE )

(THIRD SP 17-2 PROFIT +0.40 )

FULL RESULT : 1ST HOLLOWAY BOY 16-5 2ND CHANCELLOR 6-5F 3RD TYRRHENIAN SEA 17-2