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NAD AL SHEBA RACECOURSE |  |
| Situated in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the dirt track of Nad Al Sheba opened in 1986. | ||
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It has hosted the Dubai World Cup since 1996 when the great
Cigar, ridden by Jerry Bailey, prevailed. In 2000 Dubai Millennium was successful when ridden by Frankie Dettori, and the 2008 running was won by Curlin ridden by Robby Albarado. |
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The 1998 Dubai World Cup was won by the American trained and owned Silver Charm. It was ridden by Gary Stevens and trained by Bob Baffert. Some unusual badges from the meeting are shown below.
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| The UAE Derby is for 3 year olds over 1800
metres and was first held in 2000 when China Visit gave Richard Hills success in the race.
Mike de Kock has trained the last two winners in 2007 and 2008 with Asiatic Boy and Honour
Devil. The Godolphin Mile was introduced in 1994 when Lost Soldier won and managed to repeat his success the next year. More recently Diamond Stripes was the 2008 winner. |
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The final days action at the racecourse took place on Dubai World Cup night on Saturday 28th March 2009. The favourite for the race was Asiatic Boy who had been beaten 7 3/4 lengths by Curlin in 2008, with Albertus Maximus and the Japanese Casino Drive following in the betting. The race itself proved to be anything but a race for fancied horses. As the gates opened it was last years third, Well Armed, who made the early running from Casino Drive with Albertus Maximus close up on the outside. Well Armed began to go clear at the final turn and no horse could match its pace. In the end it made all impressively, ridden by Aaron Gryder and trained by Eoin Harty, whose father had ridden a Grand National winner. The winner was returned at 10/1 to claim a first prize of £2.5 million, with Gloria de Campeao second at 25/1 and Paris Perfect third at an unfancied 66/1. |  |
| If you have badges, racecards, pictures of the racecourse or further details about the course, including your memories, then email johnslusar@fsmail.net | ||
| I am extremely grateful to our UAE Racing Correspondent Richard Gauthier for the extensive range of badges shown below, part of his huge collection. | |||
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