It was a historic first UK win for US-based Deborah Mihaloff with Winds Of Fortune this afternoon, Monday 2nd September 2024, in the Arabian Racing Organisation (0-95) Handicap over a mile at Chepstow. The six-year-old homebred, saddled by Pat Dobbs and trained by James Owen, came home over two lengths ahead of Paramer Angel and Keiran O’Neill, with Upstart Crow and Miss Teagan Padgett finishing in third out of six runners.
Treading carefully, Dobbs steadily brought the racehorse, who is the son of Al Mamun Monlau, down the centre of the course to eventually win on the rain-softened ground. Paramer Angel, like Upstart Crow, was a former course and distance winner and stayed on gamely to take second, with both Abiyah Athbah and Fareedhat El Izz looking unsuited by the underfoot conditions. Mr and Mrs Kelly’s Assassen also caught the eye trying this much higher grade for the first time to finish fourth.
“He missed the break, like at Goodwood, and they went pretty quick, but he picked up nicely the last furlong and a half and won with plenty in hand. It seems like he’s on the up still, so we’ll get back to Dubai and win a few more!” spoke Dobbs after the win.
Winds Of Fortune had spent the winter in the UAE, winning twice in Abu Dhabi for Dobbs when trained by top UAE handler Doug Watson. Mihaloff, a leading owner-breeder in the US, has also had global success through the leasing of her homebred multiple million-dollar winner, First Classs, and is now looking to expand her international interests in her own colours.
“It was such an exciting race to watch back here in the States. I want to thank James and Pat, as well as the race sponsors. I also want to thank Rhea Betts who looks after him at home, as well as Timmy Murphy and Megan Andrews, who represented me today, who did such a good job with both my horses in pre-training this summer. I’m so grateful for the fabulous care that has always been given to my horses and it shows in their performance on the track.” said Mihaloff
She brought both Winds Of Fortune and First Classs to the UK this spring to holiday to prepare for a Middle Eastern campaign this winter, when they will return to Watson’s Red Stables in Dubai.
Next race: 3rd September Chepstow
Feature Image: Megan Andrews with Winds Of Fortune, Rhea Betts and Pat Dobbs after winning the ARO (0-95) Handicap at Chepstow © Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media
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