The horse 'Emperor Emperor' boosted his chances of competing for the Dubai World Cup title after winning yesterday's Al Maktum Challenge – Grade 1, the main race of the 'Fashion Friday' evening held at the Meydan Racecourse. This secured his automatic qualification for the global event scheduled for March 28. Under the guidance of trainer Bubaik Simar and jockey Richard Mullen, the horse achieved a well-deserved victory by taking the lead in the final stretch and maintaining it until the finish line, defeating 'Tamparumba' by a length and a half, while 'Heart of Honor' finished third. In the Jebel Hatta – Grade 1 race, the horse 'Opera Wal' shone with a notable victory under jockey William Buick, advancing by two and a half lengths over 'Silawi', thus securing his spot in the Dubai Turf. In the UAE 2000 Guineas – Grade 3 race, the horse 'Six Speed' earned qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby for the first time in the race's history, winning by a five-length margin and collecting 20 points. Trainer Simar continued his winning streak in the Firebreak Stakes – Grade 3 with the horse 'Mendelsson Bay', while 'Droze Gold' clinched the Shindaga Speed race title, and the horse 'Kafr Ab', under Buick's command, won the Blue Point Sprint – Grade 2. Irish jockey Andrew Slattery secured the biggest victory of his career by winning the Al Fahidi Fort – Grade 2 race on the horse 'An-Nujum', returning after a long absence. In the Horse Trophy – Grade 3 race, the horse 'Sanway Star' returned to the winner's circle under Silvester de Sousa, while the same jockey concluded the evening with another victory on the horse 'Murad' in the Al Maktum Challenge for Purebred Arabians.
