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Horses and Humans Given Shot at the Limelight; Top Jockeys in the World to Battle it out at Meydan

One of those occasions was on Sunday night, when Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Shadwell Stud sponsored The Lesters – dubbed racing’s Oscars – which took place at London’s swish Park Lane Hilton Hotel.

The awards recognized the talents of jockeys from both the flat and jumps divisions and the great and good of both weighing rooms were present.

Winners included the recently-retired Mick Kinane, who was named International Jockey of the Year for his ride on Sea The Stars in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, while up and coming rider Tom Queally collected the award for Ride of the Year for his performance on Midday in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

Speaking of top jockeys, the best in the world will be in action at Meydan tomorrow night for the inaugural Meydan Masters jockeys challenge.

Those riding have been selected on the basis of big race wins in the past 12 months and include Kent Desormeaux, who won the Belmont Stakes on Summer Bird, World Cup winner Aaron Gryder, Melbourne Cup winner Corey Brown and St Leger winner Ted Durcan.

But of course, Frankie Dettori will also be in action, courtesy of a Dubai Racing Club special invitation.

High standard

The jockeys will battle it out in four races which maintain the high standard of the Carnival so far. Brown looks to have a strong book of rides, as does Durcan, who pairs up with Global City – who he has already won on this season – in the first leg. Whoever wins, it is sure to be a spectacle and send the 2010 Carnival out with a bang.

Before then though, we have the best Super Thursday card I can remember. The Al Bastakiya will sadly be run without erstwhile favourite Musir, but remains a cracking line-up, with Godolphin’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Vale Of York making his seasonal reappearance.

The official feature race, the Maktoum Challenge Round III for Thoroughbreds, run over the new World Cup course and distance, also looks a strong renewal. Cavalryman, last seen when third in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, makes his local debut for Godolphin, who also run Round II winner Allybar. They face several who have won already this Carnival, including dual winner Lizard’s Desire and last year’s World Cup second Gloria de Campeao.

The one I think will take all of the beating here, however, is Japan Cup winner Vodka, who has looked in great shape in the mornings on the Tapeta.

She bids for a second success under Christophe Lemaire ahead of a last ever racecourse start in the World Cup.

She will be followed by another Group I winner, Luca Cumani’s Presvis, who returns to turf in the Group 2 Jebel Hatta.

He has to beat the Al Rashidiya winner Alexandros, another top horse on a weekend when both human and equine stars are out to shine at Meydan.