Karaka Graduates Target Dubai

Media Release - Tuesday February 20

It's an exciting time for all connections involved in the three Karaka graduates due to make their debut in Dubai.

Music MagnateGroup 1 winner Music Magnate (NZ) (Written Tycoon) has accepted his invitation to the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on the 31 March, while Singapore stakes winners Gilt Complex (NZ) (Gold Centre) and Bahana (NZ) (Elusive City) have already arrived in Dubai and tested the track ahead of their major assignments in March.

Group 1 Doomben Ten Thousand winner Music Magnate won his barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens on Monday 19 February in his preparation towards the Group 1 Sprint and Gilt Complex and Bahana had their first start over 2000m in Dubai on 8 February.

The Singapore stayers will continue their campaigns and depending on their performances Gilt Complex could proceed to the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold on 10 March and Bahana could line up in a race on World Cup night.

This year, the Dubai World Cup Carnival runs from early January to March 10 with the racing action building towards the world's richest race day. Highlighted with the 23rd running of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan, 31 March concludes the UAE season and boasts total prize purses of US$30 million.

Despite the long flight and unfamiliar racing conditions, Kiwi horses have performed to the highest levels in Dubai.

Hong Kong Horse of the Year and Champion Stayer Vengeance of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel) claimed the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic Stakes while Joy and Fun (NZ) (Cullen) won the Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint Stakes also placing twice in the race after it received an upgrade to Group 1 status. Karaka graduate Gun Pit (Dubawi) is an eight-time winner in Hong Kong who laid it all on the track in Dubai to place second on the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Stakes.

Over the years, legendary Kiwi horses such as Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun) and Seachange (NZ) (Cape Cross), and more recently Karaka graduates So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral) and Ocean Park (NZ) (Thorn Park), prove themselves as highly credentialed Group 1 winners and headed to Dubai in attempts to replicate their form.

Sunline travelled over with nine Group 1 wins under her belt to place third in the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Stakes; Seachange went with seven Group 1 wins for two respectable performances in the Group 2 Jebel Hatta Stakes and Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes; So You Think had a record of eight Group 1 wins in New Zealand, Australia and England before he placed fourth in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup; while Ocean Park collected five Group 1 wins before his last career start in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes.

New Zealand horses have performed to the highest level on the international stage and have an enviable track record of success throughout the southern hemisphere.

Representatives of both Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum have recognised their value signing for horses at Karaka up to the value of $1.3 million.

News from NZB.

 
Advertisment
More Reading...
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Karaka Million Dreaming for Out of the Blue
Te Akau Racing marketing manager Julia-Rose Hayes has had plenty of success syndicating horses selected by her father, David Ellis, and that has continued with her latest syndicate.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 29
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Equimillion This Long Weekend – Draws and Start Lists
Racing NSW have their annual Equimillion event coming up this long weekend at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park and for people interested in off the trackers it’s a showcase for the sport, so let’s take a look at who’s who in the zoo.
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
She's Unusual Keeps Good Times Rolling
Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints.
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.
Golden Rose Brings Second Season Shake Up
We are two months into a new racing season and the second season sires table was given a good shake up over the weekend with the $1million Group I Golden Rose and $300,000 Group II Stutt Stakes both producing a quinella for sires in this cohort.