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