Seeing is Believing as Buick times it right aboard George Boughey trainee

$1,500,000 Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (Sponsored by Azizi Developments)

Mdmar – Dubai – Dubai Racing Club

British-trained mare Believing arrived in the nick of time to claim the first Group 1 victory of her career in a blistering Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By Azizi Developments.

During her career with George Boughey in Newmarket, the daughter of Mehmas has tested the patience of her team but has amassed an impressive collection of results including placed efforts at the highest level on all her three most recent starts in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, the Flying Five at the Curragh and on her most recent appearance in the Prix de l’Abbaye. 

In December, she was bought for just over $4million at Tattersalls and is now owned by a partnership between Coolmore and Resolute Racing.

For much of this event, it looked as if a smaller share of the prize-money might be the best she would manage again.

“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News

Japanese challenger Win Carnelian was dictating the pace under Kosei Miura and was in total control with 400m remaining, although Believing and fellow British challenger Regional were just starting to emerge as the only dangers.

William Buick, a master at Meydan with nine Dubai World Cup night wins in the bag already including with the mighty Blue Point in this race back in 2019, was starting to get Believing rolling and she poked her head up the inside in the final few strides to strike by 0.68 lengths and in a sharp time of 1:07.77. 

Win Carnelian hung on bravely for second, just ahead of Regional with the trio well clear of the remainder.

“George was really bullish about her before the race, her prep has been faultless,” said Buick. “This is a lucky spare ride for me. Ryan [Moore] was meant to ride her, obviously he was in Australia this morning, I stepped in”

“The filly was very tough. She really  deserved to to get that Group 1. She showed there what she’s all about, she really knuckled down. Fair play to George in his team for having her in tip-top shape for tonight.”

Believing was withdrawn before the start of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last November after giving trouble in the gate.

“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News

With Boughey and his partner at home awaiting the birth of their first child, assistant trainer Henry Morshead was on duty and said: “Her preparation into this has been very strong and her gate-work has been good all winter, which was a concern coming from Del Mar last time. 

“But God she’s tough, she really sticks her head down, she’s a real testament to the hard work everyone puts in at home.”

Morshead added: “It’s hugely special and Coolmore are unbelievably straightforward to deal with. We’re hugely honoured to have her in the yard this year as a five-year-old.”

Win Carnelian (2nd), jockey Kosei Miura said: “His career best performance and it was my responsibility to win. He ran his best and I am so proud to challenge this race with the team.”

Regional (3rd), jockey Callum Rodriguez said: “Good run, he’s a horse that wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s done just that tonight. First run of the year, hopefully he can take a step forward for it. I was sort of the meat in the sandwich, I was the horse between the two horses competing for the win and my horse really stuck his head out and was brave.”

Danon McKinley (4th), jockey Cristian Demuro said: “He ran very well. First time in a sprint and if he had the experience for this track before, he could have run better.”

“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News

Puro Magic (5th), jockey Oisin Murphy said: She ran a very good race. She relaxed well, I was behind the Hong Kong horse.”

Marbaan (6th), jockey Ray Dawson said: “Very promising run coming back to six furlongs for the first time in two years. He is not a 1200m horse.”

Quinault (7th), jockey Marco Ghiani said: “He ran really well. Unfortunately, he was a little bit slow out of the gates. He travelled fantastically, but it was a slowly run race and so, when he kicked for home, he was just a little bit flat-footed. I’m pleased with how he did though.”

West Acre (8th), jockey Callum Shepherd said: “Obviously disappointed, he’s much better than that. Maybe he just showed signs of the extent of winter. Don’t judge him on that.” 

Audience (9th), jockey Robert Havlin said: “He’s got enough tactical speed to be competitive to a point at the six furlongs. But he gets lost in the middle part of those races and then stays on again towards the end.”

Isivunguvungu (10th), jockey Christophe Soumillon said: “I was in a good position but he didn’t quicken.”  

“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News

The “Mdmar” website for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain