Coronavirus threat brings UAE racing season to an early end

Amir Naqvi , Sports Editor

Due to the ongoing global health implications of the coronavirus and precautionary measures being implemented by the UAE government, the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) has cancelled the remainder of the 2019-2020 racing season with immediate effect. Organisers on Sunday called off the 25th edition of the Dubai World Cup.

A statement issued by the Emirates Racing Authority announced the cancellation of the remaining six race meetings of the season at Meydan, Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, thus bringing the 2019-20 season to an abrupt end.

“In light of the fast-developing COVID-19/coronavirus situation and with the health and safety of the participants as our top priority, it is with regret that the ERA cancels the remainder of the UAE racing season,” said the statement.

“It is our responsibility to contribute in stopping it and safeguarding our participants, residents and guests.”

Following ERA’s decision to end the season, the three championships for Top Trainer, Jockey and Owner are confirmed.

Tadhg O’Shea seals a record eighth UAE jockey’s title, moving him one ahead of Ted Durcan, while long-time trainer Satish Seemar scripts his name on the title for the sixth time.

The champion owner is top Purebred Arabian breeder Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda.

The Irishman ended the season on 42 winners, six more than his nearest challenger Richard Mullen, and is the only rider to win the crown three years in a row for a second time.

O’Shea, 38, also holds the record as the all-time leading jockey in the country on 552 winners, surpassing Richard Hill’s previous mark of 504 last season.

“To win another jockey’s title was fantastic,” he said. “Once again, I have a lot of people to thank. I was very fortunate to have some good horses to ride for the two stables I work and plenty of spare rides.”

O’Shea had five rides across the nine races at this year’s Dubai World Cup, the richest night in horse racing with $35 million in prize money.

In addition to his contracted job with Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Jebel Ali Stables, O’Shea maintained his notably fruitful relationship with champion owner Al Nabooda, whose phenomenal Purebred Arabian operation ended the season with 33 wins.

In the 2018-19 season O’Shea won 48 races and earned nearly $2 million in prize money, topped by a brilliant ride on Al Nabooda’s AF Maher in the Group 1 $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic on Dubai World Cup day.

This victory was his second DWC night win, having also won the Dubai Kahayla Classic in 2008 with Mizzna.

“Dubai has been good to me and I like to carry on with the same routine as I have done in the past,” said O’Shea, who has been riding in the Emirates since 2001.

“I travel home to Ireland for the summer but I’m back in Dubai by October, which has been my routine.”

The 38-year-old has come a long way since he first started racing in the UAE 18 years ago.

He was the champion apprentice two years in a row in Ireland, and part of his reward was an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai including a chance to work with local trainers.

He ended up collaborating with such names as Erwan Charpy, Paddy Rudkin, John Saddler and Kiaran McLaughlin.