Al Hibaab in ‘wonderful condition’ ahead of Dubai International Stakes title defence

Al Hibaab pictured winning The Shadwell Stud Dubai International Stakes at the Dubai International Arabian Races Newbury. Steven Cargill / Racingfotos.com

Gillian Duffield is looking forward to Al Hibaab trying to defend his crown in the Group 1 Dubai International Stakes at Newbury Racecourse on Sunday.

Al Hibaab will be ridden by owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s retained rider Paul Hanagan in the feature race of the eight-race Purebred Arabian card.

Al Hibaab is one of three horses attempting to follow up from 12 months ago in a Group 1 race, with Djainka Des Forges once again to be ridden by Harry Bentley in the Hatta International Stakes.

Al Mouhannad also was declared with Thomas Henderson in the saddle for the Group 1 Zaabeel International Stakes.

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Al Hibaab warmed up for the Dubai International Stakes with an easy win over Newbury’s 2,000 metres last month when he gave Julian Smart’s Al Majh’hoor a stone in weight and a two and a half length beating.

“He looks great and is wonderful condition,” Duffield said. “When he won last time jockey Steve Drowne said he was very impressed with him. It was a super performance against horses that were no pushovers. That said he’s a big horse, so he was probably entitled to carry that weight.”

Duffield last won the Dubai International Stakes in consecutive years with No Risk Al Maury, who won in 2006 and 2007 before he finished second the following year.

“They are different horses,” Duffield added. “No Risk Al Maury was a smaller, more compact horse, but a win for Al Hibaab would make him out to be a very good horse.”

Al Hibaab faces five rivals, including Djet Taouy, who he beat last year, and Smart’s Qatari raider Gazwan.

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