High-Stakes Action and International Triumphs Headline 13th Dubai Racing Carnival Meeting
DUBAI, 20th–21st February, 2026 — The Meydan Racecourse set the stage for an exceptional evening of Thoroughbred racing during the 13th meeting of the Dubai Racing Carnival. Eight competitive races took place, featuring 85 horses battling for a combined prize pool of AED 4,165,000.
The main event was the Listed Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby—formerly the Al Bastakiya—where Brotherly Love clinched victory, delivering a major career milestone for British trainer Jamie Osborne. This 1,900-meter dirt race drew 12 horses vying for AED 800,000, and for the first time, awarded 20 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby to the winner, cementing its reputation as an integral preparatory race for the storied American event.
In the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, Al Nayyir secured a coveted automatic entry to the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup on Dubai World Cup night. Competing against seven other horses over 2,810 meters on turf for AED 700,000, Al Nayyir triumphed under jockey Rossa Ryan and trainer Tom Clover, finishing just half a length ahead of Sunway.
Rossa Ryan achieved a notable double by guiding Dividend to win the Touch the Future Handicap, a 1,900-meter turf contest with a field of 14 horses and a AED 300,000 purse. It marked Dividend’s second consecutive win, outperforming Masai Moon and War Socks.
The Group 3 UAE Oaks for 3-year-old fillies—run over 1,900 meters on dirt for an attractive AED 800,000—saw the filly Labwah storm to an emphatic victory by seven and a half lengths, earning 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks under the expert ride of jockey Bernardo Pinheiro.
Prestige continued in the Group 2 Balanchine Stakes, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, with Fairy Glen prevailing by half a length over Riyabovka. The 1,800-meter turf race for fillies and mares featured 7 horses and a considerable AED 850,000 purse, with Mickael Barzalona steering Fairy Glen to victory.
In sprint action, the Deepal S07 Handicap over 1,000 meters on turf showcased the ongoing international prowess, as Run Boy Run, trained by Richard Spencer and ridden by George Wood, narrowly edged out Major Cinnamon to take the AED 250,000 prize.
After over a year away from the winner’s circle, Khanjah made a stunning return to form, capturing the Deepal Super Hybrid Handicap over 1,400 meters on dirt. In a field of 11 horses for AED 300,000, Khanjah, piloted by Dany Tudhope and trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, finished three-quarters of a length clear of Strobe.
The evening’s action began with a strong performance from Magic Art, who won the Deepal S05 Maiden over 1,400 meters on dirt. Under the care of Bhupat Seemar and with Tadhg O’Shea in the saddle, Magic Art set the tone for a night filled with riveting competition.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
