The former Glen Kotzen inmate and now Mike De Kock Dubai campaigner stepped into the Emirate next door and galloped home with the Main prize, the Grade 3 Abu Dhabi Championship.

Bred by the Hallmark Thoroughbreds, and racing in the familiar Sheikh Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum silks, Light The Lights was steered to a three parts of a length win by Adrie De Vries, with Janszoon back in second, and Sharpalo two lengths away in third.

The gelding hit the front with 165 yards left to run and stayed on smartly to register his second Dubai feature race win.

Light The Light, a R450 000 buy from the 2013 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale, s has been a tremendous advert for the quality of thoroughbred produced in South Africa.

The six-year-old, who had accounted for subsequent G1 Jebel Hatta winner Blair House when victorious in a 2000m handicap earlier in 2018, had also won the 2017 Singspiel Stakes when making his Dubai debut.

A son of deceased champion sire Western Winter, Light The Lights is one of seven stakes horses produced by Zimbabwean champion and outstanding broodmare First Arrival. His siblings include a pair of Equus Champions in the form of Let’s Rock ‘N Roll and In The Fast Lane respectively, as well as this season’s classy 3yo, and potential Vodacom Durban July contender, Pack Leader.