Sep 2020
Cairn Gorm Looking for Local Success in Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes
Cairn Gorm Looking for Local Success in Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes
This year marks the 25th year of Dubai Duty Free’s association with Newbury Racecourse, which hosts Dubai Duty Free International Weekend on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 September, featuring the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes, won in the past by the likes of Harry Angel, Ribchester and Dark Angel.
12 quality entries have made for this year’s renewal, including Archie Watson’s Devilwala, the top-rated horse in the field. Andrew Balding, son of Mill Reef’s trainer Ian, is bidding to win the race for the first time with Fivethousandtoone, whilst last year’s winning trainer Roger Varian has the four-time seeker Line of Departure in the mix.
Following two trips to France through the Summer, Mick Channon is now looking to run his exciting colt Cairn Gorm on more familiar turf, as the West Ilsley based trainer attempts to win the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes for a third time.
“The horse is in great form and has been training well since his last run at Deauville.” commented Jack Channon, son and assistant to Channon, “He lost the race in the stalls in the Prix Morney, but we have put a line through it and are still confident he is a high-class horse. He will do his final piece of work tomorrow and we will decide whether he will go to the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef on Saturday or head straight to the Middle Park. Wherever he goes, we’re confident of a big run.”
Dubai Duty Free sponsor nine races across the two days and Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Dubai Duty Free commented: “We are very proud of our association with British racing which began with sponsorship of a single race at Newbury in 1996. Since then we have witnessed a great many changes at Newbury and are delighted to have seen their business grow, alongside our own.
“Unfortunately, Covid-19 restrictions have forced our first absence from the racecourse in 25 years but we look forward to returning when it is once again safe for us to do so and send our best wishes to the team at Newbury and all those taking part in the Dubai Duty Free International Weekend.”
Julian Thick, Chief Executive for Newbury Racecourse added: “Our sincerest thanks to Dubai Duty Free for their ongoing support of Newbury Racecourse. In a 25-year association with Newbury and not once missing this meeting, they will be much missed by us and many others across the industry who have got to know them all so well. We look forward to welcoming them back again very soon.”
Dubai Duty Free International Weekend will be shown live on ITV1 on Saturday 19 September 2020.
Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes
Horse | Trainer | Owner |
Alkumait | Marcus Tregoning | Hamdan Al Maktoum |
Bahrain Pride | Simon & Ed Crisford | KHK Racing Ltd |
Bickerstaffe | K R Burke | David W Armstrong |
Cairn Gorm | Mick Channon | Hunscote Stud Limited And Partner |
Devilwala | Archie Watson | Amo Racing Limited & Arjun Waney |
First Edition | Clive Cox | Mrs Annette O’Callaghan |
Fivethousandtoone | Andrew Balding | King Power Racing Co Ltd |
Legal Attack | Simon & Ed Crisford | Saeed Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi |
Line of Departure | Roger Varian | H H Sheikh Nasser Al Khalifa & Partner |
Nomadic Empire | David O’Meara | AlMohamediya Racing |
Rhythm Master | Richard Fahey | John Dance |
Showalong | Tim Easterby | Mount Pleasant Racing |
Friday 18 September – Dubai Duty Free International Friday
Race | Channel | Time | Title | Age | Value | Distance |
1 | Racing TV | 1.20 | The Racing TV Novice Median Auction Stakes (Class 5) | 2 | £5,300 | 6f |
2 | Racing TV | 1.55 | The British Stallions Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (Class 5) | 2 | £6,300 | 6f |
3 | Racing TV | 2.30 | The Dubai Duty Free Handicap Stakes (Class 2) | 3+ | £19,000 | 1m 4f |
4 | Racing TV | 3.05 | The Dubai Duty Free Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 3) | 2 | £10,000 | 7f |
5 | Racing TV | 3.40 | The 40 Year Anniversary Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions Stakes | 2 | £14,000 | 1m |
6 | Racing TV | 4.15 | The Dubai Duty Free Cup (Class 1) (Listed Race) | 3+ | £30,000 | 7f |
7 | Racing TV | 4.45 | The Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises British EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes (Class 2) | 2 | £19,000 | 7f |
8 | Racing TV | 5.20 | The Haynes, Hanson & Clark Handicap Stakes (Class 4) | 3+ | £8,050 | 1m 2f |
Saturday 19 September – Dubai Duty Free International Saturday
Race | Channel | Time | Title | Age | Value | Distance |
1 | Racing TV | 1.05 | The Heatherwold Stud EBF Novice Stakes (Class 5) | 2 | £6,300 | 7f |
2 | ITV1 | 1.40 | The Dubai International Airport World Trophy (Class 1) (Group 3) | 3+ | £45,000 | 5f |
3 | ITV1 | 2.15 | The Dubai Duty Free Handicap Stakes (Class 2) | 3+ | £40,000 | 1m 2f |
4 | ITV1 | 2.50 | The Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup (Class 1) (Group 3) | 3+ | £45,000 | 1m 3f |
5 | ITV1 | 3.25 | The Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Class 1) (Group 2) | 2 | £60,000 | 6f |
6 | Racing TV | 4.00 | The Heatherwold Stud Handicap Stakes (Class 3) | 3+ | £11,500 | 1m 4f |
7 | Racing TV | 4.30 | The Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Handicap Stakes (Class 3) | 3+ | £11,500 | 1m 4f |