Racing in Dubai, Shamaal Nibras took the biggest race of the entire Jebel Ali season when he was victorious in the Jebel Ali Mile Sponsored by Shadwell Farm (G3).
The son of First Samurai had been second in the 2017 running, but he refused to be denied by his old foe Forjatt this time. When jockey Pat Dobbs gave him his cue, Shamaal Nibras quickened with ease to get the victory by two lengths.
“Obviously, it was a good race and a good prize but this horse, on his day, is very good indeed and the strong gallop has really suited him, said Dobbs. “I was pretty confident we would get past Forjatt as I made ground on him smoothly, and then my horse quickened well which he can do.”
Doug Watson trains Shamaal Nibras for the Emirates Entertainment Racing Club (EERC). It was his third try in the Jebel Ali Mile, after also finishing second in 2015. Getting to the wire first this time was a key victory in many ways.
“That is our biggest win as a syndicate and this horse deserved it,” said EERC representative Justin Byrne. “He has been placed in this race twice, as well as a Jebel Ali Stakes and a National Day Cup. We had a winner at Meydan at the Dubai World Cup Carnival last night with Los Barbados so it has been a great weekend.”
Shamaal Nibras was bred in the United States by Andrew Cohen and Gary Tolchin. He is out of the Farma Way mare Sashay Away.
First Samurai is the sire of such Grade 1 winners as Lea, Justin Phillip, and Executiveprivilege as well as Sovereign Award champion Stacked Deck. He stands for $15,000 at Claiborne.