Saudi Cup-winning jockey Egan praises Sheikh Mohammed

Saudi Cup-winning jockey David Egan paid a glowing tribute to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for making the Dubai World Cup what it is today, and the 21-year-old hoped to have some good rides on Saturday.

“Ever since I was a young kid watching racing, the Dubai World Cup is always one of the big ones on the calendar, not just the Dubai World Cup, the Carnival and everything to do with Meydan,” Egan said at the Meydan Racecourse on Tuesday.

“Sheikh Mohammed has made Meydan Racecourse and Dubai racing what it is today. It has come a long way since obviously Dubai Millennium in 2000, I was born in 1999. So, that puts into perspective. It is a fantastic facility, fantastic to be a part of such a great carnival and look to have some good rides on Saturday,” he added.

Egan rode Mishriff, the French Derby winner, to a thrilling victory in the $20 million Saudi Cup, the world’s most valuable race, last month.

Mishriff will be competing in the Group 1 $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic. Egan also rides Red Verdon in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup, Court House in the Group 1 Dubai Turf, Ambassadorial in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile and Speak In Colours in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint.

“It is fantastic to be connected with such a versatile, top class horse. I went to the track today, he looks well and hopefully he can do the business on Saturday,” Egan said of Mishriff.

“Ever since he went to Newmarket, he’s been full of beans and raring to go again. So, they decided to make the trip back out to Meydan. I’ll get to sit on him tomorrow (Wednesday) so I will kind of get a gauge on where he’s at in comparison to Riyadh but everything is looking all good so far,” he added.

Egan hinted that Mishriff could be lined up for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.

“If things go well on Saturday, there are a lot more options, maybe the Arch at the end of the year could be the main target. But, we will get Saturday out of the way first,” said Egan.

james@khaleejtimes.com