British raiders continued to leave a strong imprint on the Dubai Racing Carnival as Dividend delivered a breakthrough overseas success in the Lord Glitters Handicap, the feature of meeting 11 at Meydan.

Trained by Dr Richard Newland in partnership with Jamie Insole, the four-year-old justified the trip in style under Rossa Ryan, who delayed his challenge to perfection before striking from midfield and asserting late to beat King’s Charter by three-quarters of a length. The victory marked the first international success for the Newland–Insole partnership.

“Absolutely superb!” said Newland. “It’s our first ever winner abroad and lovely to nab one. This horse has been knocking at the door in big handicaps and we were hopeful tonight that the extra furlong and cheekpieces would help. Rossa was keen not to deliver him too early and he judged it perfectly.”

Ryan, also celebrating his first Meydan winner, added: “I had the two Godolphin horses and the Wathnan horse in front of me and I thought ‘I’m definitely in the right spot.’ He has a good turn of foot and a tight turning track like this suits him down to the ground.”

Another British trainer enjoying a fine Carnival is Ed Walker, who struck again when Northern Champion maintained his unbeaten Meydan record in the Dubai Trophy. Dropping back to 1200 metres, the colt powered home under Oisin Murphy to win by two lengths from Maximized.

It marked Murphy’s first Meydan winner since 2020. “It was a good decision by Ed Walker to go back to six furlongs,” said the five-time British champion jockey. “From halfway I let him get racing and he picked them off as they slowed down.”

British-based South African trainer Dylan Cunha was also rewarded for perseverance when Tailgunner Joe landed the Azizi Venice Handicap over 1600 metres on turf. Benefiting from a favourable draw, the three-year-old edged out Jolly Roger by a quarter of a length under a confident ride from Bernardo Pinheiro.

“He was the only three-year-old in the field, carrying 54 kilos,” said Pinheiro. “He jumped OK, travelled well and then surprised me when he really gave me that second gear.”

Pinheiro later completed a double when Desperate Hero produced a powerful late run to win the Azizi Riviera Handicap over 1200 metres on turf for trainer Salem bin Ghadayer.

A popular highlight on the card came courtesy of veteran jockey Pat Dobbs, who celebrated his birthday with a double. The standout was Cats By Five, who powered away to win the Burj Azizi Handicap over 1200 metres on dirt by five lengths for trainer Doug Watson.

“He’s definitely found his feet this year,” said Dobbs. “He’s a lovely big horse and very straightforward.” Watson added that the gelding could now be aimed at stronger company on Super Saturday.

The earlier leg of the Dobbs double came aboard Nyaar in the Azizi Creek Views Handicap, where the six-year-old pounced late to beat Action Point by just under two lengths.

Bhupat Seemar and Richie Mullen continued their strong form when Watch Collector broke his maiden in the Azizi Reve Maiden over 1900 metres on dirt. The Medaglia D’Oro gelding found the rail and quickened clear to score decisively.

The opening race, the Azizi Mina Handicap for Purebred Arabians, produced one of the most dominant performances of the night as Uptown Walk The Line made all the running to score by ten lengths under Sandro Paiva.

Meeting 11 once again underlined the international depth of the Dubai Racing Carnival, with British-trained runners and riders continuing to play a central role as momentum builds toward World Cup night.

Image DRC