Today's Edition
Dubai (Aletihad)
There could be no doubting the chief human attraction of Thursday’s trackwork. Spirit Dancer’s breeder and co-owner Alex Ferguson, the famous former manager of Manchester United FC, appeared at 7am to see his horse.
A winner of major races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia over the last few months, the son of Frankel was fourth in the Gr.1 Jebel Hatta (1,800m) as part of his build-up and returned to Meydan after his trip to Riyadh along with track rider Callum Pittendreigh.
Spirit Dancer cantered on the dirt track before being led over to a quiet corner where Ferguson and co-owner Ged Mason gave him a pat. The Scotsman crossed back over the track to a chorus of camera clicks and obliged numerous television and selfie requests.
“It’s a marvellous honour to be invited and the horse won’t let us down, he’ll run a good race,” Ferguson said. “I’ve had horses for many years but having bred a horse like him, there’s great enthusiasm. It’s a fantastic part of my life. He’s improved and improved.”
Spirit Dancer will be trying 2,400m for the first time and Ferguson feels it is worth a shot. “We don’t know, but he’s by Frankel and he’s been going past the winning line OK. We feel he has the pedigree to run over a mile and a half.
“It’s like going into a football match, you want a team with confidence and in good form. He’s in good form and we hope he does the business.”
Trainer Richard Fahey added: “He’s well acclimatised. The horse is enjoying it, and the owners are enjoying it. He’s always been finishing his races and it’s always been in mind to try him over this distance.”
