Dubday Set For British Bow

Qatari superstar Dubday (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is set to make his British debut for Al Shaqab Racing and trainer Jassim Al Ghazali in Saturday’s Listed Al Rayyan S. (formerly known as the Aston Park S.) over 12 furlongs at Newbury. The 5-year-old, who was Group 3-placed as a sophomore in Germany before his expatriation to Qatar, was last seen finishing fifth in the two-mile G2 Dubai Gold Cup Mar. 28, and has been training in Lambourn at trainer Oliver Sherwood’s yard. 

“I am very happy with him,” Al Ghazali said. “He ran OK in Dubai but two miles is not his distance. He is better over either a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half.” 

Al Ghazali added, “After that run we gave him a few days off, but we have not worked him too hard in Qatar. I would like to see good ground for him at Newbury on Saturday and I hope it doesn’t rain. I am looking forward to seeing him run in the UK to see what sort of level he is at.” 

Dubday will be the first runner in Britain for Al Ghazali. 

“I am very happy to have a runner in England,” he said. “I have been coming to the sales for years, but it is great to come over with a horse to try to win a race here, especially for an owner like Sheikh Joaan.” 

After his Newbury run, Dubday will transfer to Newmarket to prepare for an extended British campaign. Although a champion trainer in his native country, Al Ghazali said he hopes the time spent in Britain will be a learning experience. 

“I hope to learn some new things from my time in Newmarket,” he said. “I hope it will be a good experience as that is where all the top trainers are with it being the center of Flat racing in England.”