Dubai dominates Future Champions Festival at Newmarket Racecourse

The curtain came down on another unforgettable renewal of the Dubai Future Champions Festival at Newmarket Racecourse, the historic home of British racing, with a fitting and unforgettable finale.

- Leslie Wilson Jr

Across two absorbing days at the Rowley Mile, Dubai's influence was undeniable as Godolphin's powerhouse trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby combined with fellow Emirati owners Sheikh Juma Dalmouk Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum to deliver six victories and a host of eye-catching performances.

Supported by Emirates Airline, Godolphin, and Darley, who together sponsored eight races across the glittering card, the festival once again showcased the depth of Dubai's contribution to world racing.

And fittingly, it was a Dubai triumph that brought proceedings to a perfect close.

The Listed Modern Games British EBF Boadicea Stakes (L) provided the grand finale, with Godolphin legend Saeed bin Suroor striking with a horse aptly named Dubai Treasure. Ridden confidently by champion jockey Oisin Murphy, the Godolphin-bred daughter of Exceed And Excel stormed home to seal a deeply satisfying victory for one of racing's modern great trainers.

"Winning here at Newmarket always means a lot," Bin Suroor, who has saddled over 2,000 career wins, told Khaleej Times.