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Equinties - race out of Dubai
BGP Capital
March 02, 2026
Gm, Equinauts
Well, it’s all kicking off. And no, we’re not talking about the Middle East, we’re talking about Mullins Bingo!
FACT TO FILE has been absolutely slammed for the RyanAir with Mullins confirming he will split him and GAELIC WARRIOR.
We always thought GAELIC WARRIOR would only ever be going to the Gold Cup - he’s a proper 3miler, so this market move makes total sense and the RyanAir trophy simply looks like it should be packed into Willies car boot now.
Willie Mullins bingo will be ramping up this week! Get ready, some ante-posts will be done before the racing even starts.
Let’s dive in.
HEADLINE ROUNDUP
RACING OUT OF DUBAI
When the first missile whistled over Dubai Saturday afternoon, most holiday go-ers and tax avoiders lounging by their respective pools ditched the cover of parasols and quickly opted for the more secure protection of concrete as they ducked into hotel basements and carparks for cover.
Not our mate though, who was out there for racing - he ordered another margarita and positioned him self a better location on the terrace which was previously unavailable. Plenty of seats became free very quickly.
Maybe it was cognitive dissonance - the thinking that, whilst sat in a place Iran is trying to light up, the threat of dying from a war is something only in his history books.
Or maybe because he was an English racing type. A few rockets shan’t ruin his evening. We imagine the echoes of explosions were merely enough for him to take a quick peep above his racing card before burying his head back in the form which was about to be on display at Meydan’s Super Saturday.
Whilst airports closed and hotels were locked down, the prestigious Emirates Super Saturday card went ahead as planned. Even big Sheikhy Mo, Dubai’s ruler, attended providing some reassurance to participants - if they needed it!
Loads of racing people are out there. Burkey’s got staff out there (including his daughter Kelly), James Owen is out there and so is Jamie Osborne to name but a few. Jamie Osborne, who saddled the HEART OF HONOUR, described the surreal atmosphere from the paddock: “Last night was pretty surreal,” Osborne told the Press Association.
“You’re standing in the paddock watching missiles get shot through the sky.”
He noted scenes the following day: “This morning it kind of looked like it was escalating as there was lots of banging, then it died down and then this afternoon there’s been a little wave of them.”
Osborne praised the UAE’s response, saying the country’s air defences were doing “an unbelievably good job of keeping everybody safe” and adding, “In His Highness Sheikh Mohammed we trust.”
He and the rest of the British training ranks are currently based at the Meydan Hotel, where he emphasised that the situation feels relatively secure: “If you were just sitting here and you were deaf you wouldn’t know anything was happening.”
The practical fallout has been significant with Dubai Airport sustaining damage and, as consequence, major airlines have suspended flights to and from the UAE until at least Monday afternoon
and in classic British style, Osborne is only concerned about one thing - his 2yo’s: “It sounds ridiculous when you’re talking about global issues and I’m worried about getting back to see my two-year-olds”.
Oisin, Ryan Moore and Shoemark are out there too. Shoey has just completed a two-month winter stint riding for Ed Walker and was due to fly home on Sunday morning but remains grounded. “The airport is shut and there’s just so much uncertainty,” he told Racing Post.
“I’m hearing that nothing is going to change for two to three days and we’ve just been advised to sit tight. My apartment has been extended for as long as I need it.”
The situation remains fluid but naturally, the airspace is closed right now and we imagine won’t reopen until Iran start behaving. And for them to do that, Dubai might need to start joining in the party. They’ve got the weapons to do it (and we’re not talking about Godolphin this time).
REBEL’S ROMANCE
So, even a war couldn’t stop the circus that is horse racing and REBEL’S ROMANCE landed his 21st win Saturday in Meydan, it was his 16th Group win:
REBEL’S ROMANCE managed to successfully fend off the advances of the ever-improving FORT GEORGE trained by Ed Walker and ridden by Shoemark, stamping his authority as the super star he is.
This is just a short article of appreciation here. It doesn’t matter what country they send him to, Godolphin’s globe-trotter wins and his career winnings have now surpassed the £12milli mark. Insane.
What a shame he is isn’t entire as his hardiness, tenacity and longevity will surely have been wanted by breeders.
Well done, REBEL’S ROMANCE.
WEEKEND EYE-CATCHERS
MELON - NEWBURY SATURDAY
Was no match for the well gambled winner in RUBBER BALL (who was twice the size) but finished well clear of the field and looks to be coming back to form along with his yard.
KILWAUGHTER - NEWBURY SATURDAY
Didn’t look like stopping when stepped back up in trip and his collateral form is very good. We probably would have backed him if we were on track, his pedigree is very nice and should improve over further. 3miles plus his trip.
PRINCESS DAY & FAIRY PARK - NEWBURY SATURDAY
Boy oh boy did PRINCESS DAY look good winning Newbury’s bumper Saturday. She should have been a bet too really, but will certainly be one to keep on the right side of for Jeremy Scott. FAIR PARK second shaped nicely in behind and is bred to be smart too.
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