ERTIJAAL
AGE: 7
COLOR: Bay
SIRE: Oasis Dream (Green Desert)
DAM: Shabiba (Seeking the Gold)
COUNTRIES TRAINED: England, UAE
TRAINER: Ali Rashid Al Rayhi
OWNER: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
BREEDER: Shadwell Estate (Ireland)
MEYDAN RECORD: 11-6-1-1
CAREER RECORD: 20-10-2-2
EARNINGS: US$1,129,954
POSSIBLE NEXT RACE: Meydan Sprint (G2) (22nd February
HIGHLIGHTS: Highest-rated UAE-based horse in 2017. His 118 international rating was tied for 15th in the world among 2017 turf sprinters. Winner of seven UAE races and six Carnival races at Meydan, where he owns two track records: 1000m (55.90) and 1200m (1:08.98). Equalled his top Racing Post Rating of 123 in his 2018 bow on the 11th of January. Winner of the 2017 Meydan Sprint (G3) in track-record time. The beaten favourite in the previous two editions of the Al Quoz Sprint (G1), finishing third in 2017 and second in 2016.
BACKGROUND: Incredibly popular in Dubai, Ertijaal has won at distances ranging from 1000m to 1400m, while consistently dismantling his opponents, especially when at peak fitness. He owns two Meydan course records and returned a winner in his 7-year-old bow, holding off highly regarded Hit the Bid in handicap company over 1000m on opening night of the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival. Trained by veteran conditioner Ali Rashid Al Rayhi and assistant trainer Gilani Siddiqui, the homebred son of Oasis Dream is speed incarnate, with impeccable gate velocity and the ability to increase tempo as the race progresses.
The 10-time winner was originally trained in England by William Haggas for the first eight starts of his life, spanning from May 2013 until August 2014. Second by a neck to subsequent Group 1-winning champion Toormore on debut, he then won three consecutive races before finishing unplaced in the classic 2000 Guineas (G1). After three more subpar efforts, he was gelded, sent to Dubai and resurfaced in competition the following January (2015). After three subpar efforts, he forged a four-race winning streak that ended with his aforementioned runner-up effort in the 2016 Al Quoz Sprint. He has now won three of his previous four tries, has carried 130lbs (59kg) or more in four of his previous five victories and appears to be as good as ever in his sixth season of racing.
PERSONALITY: “He’s a very nice horse to have in the stable because he’s not naughty at all and is very gentle. Even when training, he’s very nice and does not make problems for the riders. Everybody likes him. He’s quiet and has had the same groom for four years and the same riders. I would love to ride him, but the boss won’t let me.” – Siddiqui
STRENGTHS: “Naturally, he has very good speed, of course. I think he’s stayed so good for so long because you don’t need special things for him. Whether he’s on dirt or turf, he goes fine on them and he’s easy to train. He is a very nice ride and a beautiful horse.” – Siddiqui
