DUBAI // The Emirates racing season ended in a blaze of glory for Godolphin on Saturday when African Story romped to victory in record time to provide the men in blue with a seventh Dubai World Cup triumph.
Another person celebrating at Meydan Racecourse was the Emirati trainer Majed Al Jahouri, who saddled the winners in all eight Group 1 prizes for Purebred Arabians in the country this season.
The feat was accomplished in the season's final meeting, when Rabbah De Carrere came in with a strong late run to clinch the Dubai Kahayla Classic, the opening race of the Dubai World Cup meeting.
The build-up to the race had been an intense time, Al Jahouri said, and the only way he could relax after the race was to turn off his phone.
“I really appreciate all those phone calls from all those who want to wish me and congratulate me but I had to put my head down to get some sleep after a hectic two weeks,” the 27-year-old trainer said.
“It has been a remarkable season for me and I am not too sure if I can repeat this ever again.
“We had some good horses and they were all running well throughout the season. We also had the luxury to spread them across the major prizes, like horses for the courses.”
Success for the trainer also means success for his principal patron, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.
Plans are under way to strengthen the stables for the next season.
“We wouldn’t have achieved the success we have had without the support and the backing of Sheikh Mansour,” Al Jahouri said.
“The Kahayla Classic was the only trophy missing. Now that we have won every top prize for the Arabians in the country, it would be nice to venture out to compete with our horses abroad.
“But that will entirely be for Sheikh Mansour to decide. It is still too early to talk about our plans for the summer and the preparations for next season until a meeting with Sheikh Mansour.
“The horses we have had so much success with are still young and would still be good or even better for the next season. So we would have the same kind of strength to take forward.”
Al Jahouri saddled 15 winners to accumulate Dh3.1 million in prize money for 2013/2014, bettering his previous best of 14 winners, including five Group 1 prizes, for Dh2.2m last season.
“I can only thank God,” the Al Wathba Stables trainer said when asked of the success he has had this season.
“It is hard work, of course, but you also need some luck in horse racing. We had both this season. We also had a great team contributing to the success we have had.
“So it all panned out well for us.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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