Dubai Race Night » Vale Of York

2009 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Vale Of York out of UAE Derby

PatCummings — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:13:58 +0000

A bout of colic will keep 2009 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Vale Of York out of the 2010 UAE Derby (G2), Godolphin reported Sunday. Fifth in his 2010 debut in the Al Bastakiya, no updated plans were available for the son of Invisible Spirit, who had been given a 10-1 chance in the DubaiRaceNight.com morning line.

Ingram plans on Dubai return

PatCummings — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:12:10 +0000

After a successful raid on the 2005 Dubai International Racing Carnival when his trainee, Boule D’Or landed two wins, including a course record, trainer Roger Ingram is headed back. His filly, Silver Grey, is on course for the 3-year-old filly restricted races at the impending Carnival: a conditions event, the UAE 1000 Guineas, and the UAE Oaks. Silver Grey, a group placed daughter of Chineur was four lengths behind Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Vale of York in the Stardom Stakes (Listed) at Goodwood.

Click HERE for more from the Racing Post.

Ajtebi training in US for six weeks

PatCummings — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:11:03 +0000

Following this weekend’s jockey challenge in Mauritius, UAE jockey Ahmed Ajtebi will head to California for six weeks and work under Dubai World Cup winning trainer Eoin Harty according to a report in today’s Racing Post.

Ajtebi will be back in Dubai for the start of the Dubai International Racing Carnival on 28 January. In his first mount in the United States, Ajtebi shocked when winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) aboard Vale of York at Santa Anita.

Click HERE to read the full story

Ajtebi, eventually confident, went searching for UAE flag in California prior to riding in Breeders’ Cup

PatCummings — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:56:51 +0000

After returning to Dubai following his win aboard Vale of York in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), Ahmed Ajtebi tells his story to Hisham Al Gizouli of the Khaleej Times. Click HERE to read the full account. Of particular note is Ajtebi’s search in California (note, not Florida as the story incorrectly states) for a UAE flag, asserting his growing confidence as the week progressed.

Ajtebi scores in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

PatCummings — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:11:04 +0000

Dubai native Ahmed Ajtebi landed the $2,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) aboard 30-1 longshot Vale Of York in a shocking upset on Saturday at Santa Anita. The win marks another notch in the belt of the up-and-coming rider who has raced to prominence under the tutelage of numerous top-class trainers, and the sponsorship of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Ajtebi’s year has been, by far, the tops in his six-year thoroughbred riding career. The Dubaian rode Gladiatorus and Eastern Anthem to an improbable double on Dubai World Cup night when landing the $5,000,000 Dubai Duty Free (G1) and $5,000,000 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). The 27-year-old finished seventh in the UAE jockey standings in the 2008/2009 racing season and won on 17 percent of his 133 mounts in the United Kingdom this season.

Vale of York was rank early in the 8.5 furlong race, his first on a synthetic surface after five grass starts. He was second in the Italian Gran Criterium at San Siro on October 11 prior to this victory.

“It was somewhat risky to run on the synthetic,” said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford following the win. When asked by ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi if they would now consider a campaign towards the Kentucky Derby, Crisford seemed tentative but open to the possibility. By Invisible Spirit out of the Halling mare, Red Vale, Vale Of York now has three wins, a second, and a third from six lifetime starts with earning in excess of $1.3 million.