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De Kock assembles strongest ever Dubai squad
Mike De Kock : hopes one of his many Dubai-bound charges Quicksand can live up to his name
SOUTH AFRICAN trainer Mike De Kock, whose 53 Dubai International Carnival winners is four more than his closest challenger, Godolphin trainer, Saeed Bin Suroor, will have his strongest ever team, numerically at least, in 2009.
“We hope to have about 40 in 2009,” he said. “Securing the championship again at home last season was a big achievement but Dubai has become increasingly important in our philosophy – especially with regards to the excellent prize-money – and we are targeting the 2009 carnival with a larger string.”
Last week's Newmarket winner Eagle Mountain and Champion Stakes hopeful Archipenko, third on World Cup night this year in the Dubai Duty Free, will be two high-profile Dubai runners for the yard, with a host of top performers from South America and South Africa joining them.
South African owner St John Gray will campaign dirt performers Quicksand and Naples in Dubai, as well as useful turf performer Biarritz.
De Kock said: “It is a privilege to be sent these horses and I hope Quicksand proves aptly named – he should thrive on the Dubai dirt.
“Biarritz's best form is from the very top drawer and it was a shame he was injured last season but that at least means we have a fresh horse if we can get him back to his best.
“They are just part of a strong team of new horses which include classy three-year-olds Rocks Off, Art Of War, an Oaks winner in Front House and last, but certainly not least, Champion Sprinter JJ The Jet Plane. Front House will be a first Dubai-based runner for John Magnier.”
Another new recruit is Russian Sage who will be aimed at the $5 million Dubai Duty Free – a race the trainer has won with dead-heater Right Approach and the remarkable Ipi Tombe in the past.
The winner of the Cape of Good Hope Derby, he has five wins to his name this year and will carry the same colours as Ipi Tombe - those of Team Valor - having been purchased from the yard of Justin Snaith.
This signals a return to the De Kock stable for Team Valor, whose Barry Irwin explained: “We discussed the options and decided to patch things up with Mike, because he has always done the best job for us and we want the best for this colt.”
They parted company in 2006 after a falling out. Irwin continued: “Mike and the colt's trainer Justin Snaith have a good relationship, so we expect the transition to be a smooth one.
“I know that our team is really excited to be back with Mike and we really look forward to racing this colt, not only in Dubai, but internationally as well.”
De Kock added: "Russian Sage is an exciting prospect that will strengthen our already formidable Dubai team for 2009.''
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