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Appleby sets the standard as history and class collide at Dubai Racing Carnival
The Godolphin handler heads into Friday’s eight-race programme with momentum firmly on his side, saddling the favourite in six contests, including the Dubai Millennium Stakes
- PUBLISHED: Thu 29 Jan 2026, 9:08 PM
Friday’s eight-race programme at Meydan offers something for everyone, from emerging three-year-olds to proven international stars, and once again the spotlight falls firmly on formidable Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby, whose stable looks to be hitting peak form at just the right time.
Appleby arrives with impressive statistics for the 2025/26 season so far, boasting nine winners from 36 runners for a strike rate of 25 per cent. More significantly for racegoers looking for something to follow, he saddles the favourite in six of the eight races, underlining the strength of his hand at this stage of the 2025-2026 Dubai Racing Carnival.
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The centrepiece of the evening, sponsored by DP World, is the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes, a race steeped in history and sentiment. Named in honour of Godolphin’s legendary 2000 Dubai World Cup winner Dubai Millennium, the contest has a habit of producing elite performers. Past winners include three-time Group 1 winner Hunter’s Pride and Ghaiyyath, the winner of four Group 1 races who was voted Longines World’s Best Racehorse for 2020.
Run over the same course and distance as the $12 million Dubai World Cup, albeit on turf rather than dirt, the Dubai Millennium Stakes is a serious test, and one Appleby has already won nine times, including the last seven renewals, and once again sends out a powerful pair into battle.
His leading hopes are By The Book, winner of the Dubai Racing Club Classic and ridden by William Buick, and Arabian Light, who arrives on the back of victory in the Zabeel Turf under Billy Loughnane.
“By The Book and Arabian Light go into this in great order,” Appleby said. “It is the first time in Group company for both horses, but they bring nice profiles into the race and have won around Meydan. I would be disappointed if they are not players at this level.”
One of those looking to break the Appleby stranglehold will be Crystal Black, who makes his UAE debut for Irish trainer Gerard Keane, and Chibitty, now with British trainer David Simcock, who admits Friday will answer an important question about his new recruit.
Sprint stars and surface switches
The Listed Dubai Sprint, run over 1200 metres, features a deep and competitive field of 15, headed by Dark Saffron, a Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner who returns to turf following two below-par efforts on dirt.
“We decided to get him back on the turf… we want him to travel behind the leaders and get his confidence back and finish his race,” said trainer Ahmad bin Harmash, who also removes the visor in a bid to help the horse relax.
Among his rivals is Appleby’s Symbol Of Honour, a dual Carnival winner making his seasonal debut. The trainer suggests that this may be a stepping stone to other contests rather than the ultimate target.
New faces add intrigue, notably Rebel’s Gamble, now trained by Swedish handler Oscar Berneklint and ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, while Berneklint also takes on his father Fredrik Reuterskiold, who saddles prolific winner Lamborghini BF.
Global flavour in the Mawj Stakes
The Mawj Stakes perfectly captures what the Dubai Racing Carnival was designed to be: a truly international showcase. Runners from Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Czechia, France and the UK take on local and Godolphin-backed challengers in a competitive fillies’ contest over 1,400 metres.
Appleby once again appears to hold a strong hand with Dance To The Music, who drops sharply in class after competing at Group 1 level in Britain. Her form on fast ground makes her an obvious favourite.
Among the international challengers is Spanish raider Gelinotte, trained by Efrain Arguinzones, who sees this as a stepping stone towards a bigger goal.
“This is her prep race for the Jumeirah 1000 Guineas, which is her main target for the Carnival,” said the Venezuelan-born handler
The evening begins with the Jumeirah Guineas Trial, where progressive three-year-olds test their Classic credentials. Title Role, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, caught the eye when third earlier this month and is expected to improve stepping up in distance.
KT Selections
Race 1: 1. Treanmor , 2. Title Role.
Race 2: 1. National History, 2. Yamdeek.
Race 3: 1. Dance To The Music, 2. Miss Yechance.
Race 4: 1. Antrim, 2. Valdivia.
Race 5: 1. Symbol Of Honour, 2.The Strikin Viking.
Race 6: 1. 1 By The Book, 2. Fort George.
Race 7: 1. Regheeb 2, 2. Force And Valour.
Race 8: 1. Ruler Of Time, 2. Jolly Roger.
Day’s best: By The Book.
