Landmark victory for Oman as Falaah wins Dubai World Cup night opener
Mdmar
Falaah provided Oman with a historic first victory on Dubai World Cup night as he powered home to win the G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic, sponsored by Zabeel Feed.
Drawn 15 of 15, Falaah was patiently ridden by his Omani rider Al Moatasem Al Balushi. Settling off the pace, as his usual style has been all season, the eight-year-old son of AF Al Bahar travelled powerfully despite going wide throughout.
It looked all over coming into the straight as YAS Racing’s Muraad kicked for home with a few lengths in hand, but the Omani raider kept knuckling down as the finish line approached, getting up to score by a short head. Mubeed was more than six lengths away in third.
Falaah won Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge on Super Saturday in similar fashion – his first Group 1 victory – and had previously contested the Kahayla on World Cup night in 2024, finishing a modest fifth to Saudi Arabia’s Tilal Al Khalediah.
Jubilant trainer Ahmed Al Balushi said: “Thanks to God. It is a first Kahayla Classic for Oman, so we are obviously delighted. On Super Saturday when he won, I thought he could perform at this level and he did not disappoint. Gate 15 is never an easy thing for any horse, but he showed his class there
Jockey Al Moatasem Al Balushi said: “I can’t describe how happy I am. I probably won’t sleep for another week. I ran the scenarios in my head before the race many times and I had a plan A, a plan B and a plan C. Thankfully it went the way it did.”
Owner HH Sayyid Shihab bin Harib bin Thuwaini Al Said said: “One month ago, someone called me and asked if I was willing to sell the horse. But I would never sell the best horse in Oman’s history for any money.”
Muraad’s beaten rider Silvestre de Sousa said: “He ran a blinder. It’s only his third run in the UAE and he’s won two Group 1s. He ran very genuinely for me. Unfortunately, there was one that ran better.”
Result
1st – #6 FALAAH (FR)
Jockey: Al Moatasem Al Balushi
Trainer: Ahmed Al Balushi
2nd – #2 Muraad (FR) – 0.17L
3rd – #4 Mubeed (AE) – 6.55L
4th – #5 AA Lahab (FR) – 6.95L
5th – #7 Moshrif (FR) – 11.19L
6th – #10 Raad Lembarak (FR) – 12.43L
7th – #8 Vizhir (FR) – 12.99L
8th – #3 First Classs (US) – 13.62L
9th – #11 Al Zeer (FR) – 14.92L
10th – #15 Tariq (FR) – 16.38L
11th – #14 Joe Star (FR) – 23.39L
12th – #16 Uptown Walk The Line (US) – 27.63L
13th – #12 Madhmoon (OM) – 39.6L
14th – #13 RB Motherload (US) – 51.53L
Non-Runners: #1 RB Kingmaker (US), #9 Djafar (FR)
