It might have been the final meeting of the Dubai Racing Carnival, but 14 March 2025 will live long in the memory of Hilal Kobeissi. The British trainer collected a first overseas winner when Max Mayhem stormed home in the featured Longines Spirit Flyback Handicap.
The seven-year-old was making his fourth start of the Carnival, but was much the best here, settling towards the back of the field in the 2410 m contest. Jockey Adrie de Vries was patient, asking his mount for an effort with 400metres left to go and charging home by three and a half lengths from Valdivia.
Max Mayhem storms home under AdriE de Vries (Pic – DRC)
“There was plenty of pace,” he said. “I was a bit worried when I lost my cover on the backside, but I was pretty confident once we turned for home.”
The race was also notable for the return of De Vries, after some time out through injury.
“I clipped heels and had a bad fall a few weeks ago,” he said. “It was a very frustrating couple of weeks, I missed a few nice rides, but I’m lucky to be back so quickly. Everything seems fine.”
It was a huge win for Newmarket-based Kobeissi, who has a relatively small string at the moment, having previously run a pre-training operation.
“That was a De Vries masterclass!” he said. “This is a huge for our small team. We’re a young set-up with big ambitions.”
De Vries celebrated a quick double when Strobe took the very next race, the Longines Master Collection Moon Phase Chronograph Handicap, over 1200metres on dirt.
Simon and Ed Crisford’s six-year-old settled just behind a fast pace set up front by Sir Harmony and Smart System and was well positioned to take the lead in the straight, before needing to dig deep to see off the closing Deep Hope by half a length.
“There was a strong pace and I was always in a nice position,” said De Vries. “I always felt that the two in front would come back to me. He probably hit the front a little bit too soon and then kind of pulled up a little bit – I needed the line.”
Meydan is next in action on Saturday 5 April when the $30,5 million Dubai World Cup fixture will see some of the very best horses, jockeys and trainers in the world compete across the nine-race card.
