Swing Vote turns tide in Crisfords’ favour, Colour Up wins Emirates Sprint Series finale

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

The flourishing father-son training partnership of Simon and Ed Crisford reigned supreme once more in the prestigious Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile as Swing Vote powered to a convincing near-four-length victory under William Buick.

Picking up the pace after appearing to slow down momentarily, the four-year-old Shamardal gelding, Swing Vote, validated his top-tier status when Buick skillfully maneuvered him leftward towards the standside rail.

Swing Vote, who triumphed by four lengths in the Jebel Ali Mile Prep last month, effortlessly accelerated to secure victory at the track’s biggest race of the season and was sponsored by Shadwell.

Chasing the pace set by Jose Santiago, Salem Bin Ghadayer’s Down On Da Bayou showed resilience but faltered in the final 300 meters.

Despite this, the seven-year-old Super Saver mare demonstrated remarkable tenacity, clinching second place by a neck over Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s Qareeb, ridden by Richard Mullen.

Crisfords’ also tasted success when Pat Cosgrave-ridden My Honor edged past Ahmad Bin Harmash’s Bismilah Alik in the 1600m Emirates Airlines Cup.

Sheikha Hissa Bint Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, owner of Shadwell horse racing and breeding empire, Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, Director General of the Emirates Racing Authority, and other dignitaries graced the occasion.

Sheikha Hissa gave away the trophy to the winning connection of Swing Vote.

“It was really a huge day of our season, and Jebel Ali Racecourse’s ninth meeting was a resounding success and exceeded our expectations,” said Mohamed Al Ahmed, General Manager of Jebel Ali Racecourse and Executive Director of Emirates Sprint Series.

"We're thrilled to have had a record-breaking day at the Jebel Ali races, welcoming 15,000 enthusiastic attendees.

"The Fashion Day theme was a hit, with people dressing up in style and enjoying the excitement of the races. It was an honor to have Her Highness Sheikha Hissa grace the races.

"We were also delighted to host a delegation from the Japan Racing Association and Curragh Racecourse in Ireland, along with international runners from various countries. The quality of competition was high, showcasing the significant progress Jebel Ali races have made,” he added.

"Every race sees him getting better, and today was another testament to his prowess among top-tier horses. I'm extremely pleased, and he'll be gearing up for the Group 1 Dubai Mile at the Dubai World Cup," said Ed Crisford.

Sayed Hashish’s Colour Up shined bright in the A.R.M Holding-sponsored Listed Jebel Ali Sprint, which was the third and final leg of the Emirates Sprint Series.

This was the second straight victory for Hasish in the Emirates Sprint Series, as ridden by Oscar Chavez, Road Bloc, in the silks of Hashish and Hana Refai, landed the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint and the HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup last season.

He landed the coveted prize again, with Colour Up previously winning the second leg of the series, the Listed Garhoud Sprint at Meydan on December 8.

“Fantastic for the owners, Sayed (Hashish). Colour Up is a top-class horse. He raced here for the first time, and despite not being at his peak for the past few weeks, he delivered exceptionally well," trainer Doug Watson remarked.

The action began on Saturday’s with the Wathba Stallions Cup, sponsored by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Racing Festival.

Ibrahim Al Hadhrami's Ramz Muscat, expertly guided by Sam Hitchcott, won the Wathba Stallions Cup comfortably.

He crossed the finish line a commanding length and a-quarter ahead of AF Rami, trained by Ernst Oertel and ridden by Patrick Hartnett.

Rashed Bouresly's Houb Al Wattan, under Omar Salas, dug deep to dominate the thrilling 1200m Al Shafar Investment Stakes.

Despite a late surge from race favorite Eruptive, trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri and ridden by Tadhg O'Shea, Houb Al Wattan clung on for a narrow win.

Ghadayer’s Homespin, under Royston Ffrench's guidance, triumphed in the 1600m Commercial Bank of Dubai.

Jebel Ali’s resident trainer, Michael Costa, won the last race of the seven-race card —1950m Sukoon Takaful Stakes — after Makfoul ridden by Ben Coen, crossed the finish line ahead of Bhupat Seemar’s Ghost of the Mambo.