Horse trainer De Kock preparing for Dubai Carnival 2011
United Arab Emirates’ domestic racing season will be starting on this Friday, 10 weeks before the inauguration of the 2011 edition of the Dubai International Racing Carnival.
The most important name associated with the Dubai Carnival is that of Mike De Kock, the South African trainer who has proved himself as the most successful international handler ever since the initiation of the carnival. The trainer is known to be having
a different UAE base this year along with compatriot Herman Brown.
The South African trainer is working for the promotion of his new feed brand at the moment. He will be sending out 30 of his racehorses to the carnival. De Kock’s squad of horses will be headed by Musir, the UAE 2000 Guineas and Derby winner.
Also a candidate for the Dubai World Cup, Musir is expected to perform better than the runner ups in the world’s richest race, Asiatic Boy and Lizard’s Desire. The aforementioned colts are also under the training of De Kock and are owned by Sheikh Mohammed
bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, De Kock’s main patron.
When De Kock was approached to quire about his participation at the Carnival, he said, “Obviously the World Cup is a race we would love to win and every year we try and prepare a team with World Cup might as the end objective.”
The legendary trainer went on to say, “We have enjoyed plenty of success, especially in the UAE Derby and turf races. The prize money is so good that the Dubai International Racing Carnival has become a major part of our year.”
De Kock further added, “I always maintained that Musir was the highest quality three year colt I had taken to Dubai. Hopefully he can progress into a genuine World Cup horse and we know he loves the Tapeta surface at Meydan.”
Another of De Kock’s trained racehorse also owned by Sheikh Mohammad bin Khalifa, Bold Silvano (Durban July winner) is also being considered one of the most competitive contenders of the Dubai World Cup.
The winner of South Africa’s most exalted race, Irish Flame, also trained by De Kock (who will be a part of the upcoming carnival) is being considered a strong contender for the Sheema Classic at the carnival.
Other significant horses that will be sent out by De Kock in the carnival meets include River Jetez, Link Man, Star Empire and Badger Lakes.
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