CLIVE COX HOPING FOR AL QUOZ SPRINT VICTORY WITH DILIGENT HARRY
British trainer Clive Cox will aim to win his tenth individual Group 1 race when DILIGENT HARRY (GB) lines up in the six-furlong Al Quoz Sprint at the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday.
Bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud, the six-year-old was purchased by the trainer for just £38,000 at the Goffs Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale in 2019. Having secured back-to-back Listed wins at Lingfield and Southwell in February, Diligent Harry goes into the race in fine form.
Great British Racing International (GBRI) went to visit Cox at his yard in Lambourn ahead of Diligent Harry flying out to Dubai. When asked about the horse, the trainer said:
“Diligent Harry has been an absolute joy to be involved with. We signed off last year and he had a really nice winter break. He’s really thrived throughout the early part of the year. So I’m very pleased that he is going out there in excellent condition and in a really good frame of mind.”
Cox has won each of the Group 1 sprint contests at Royal Ascot as well as leading European Group 1 sprint races such as the July Cup with horses including LETHAL FORCE and HARRY ANGEL. When asked about the Al Quoz Sprint, a race Cox is yet to win, he said:
“The Al Quoz Sprint is definitely something I would love to have on my CV as winning would be amazing. It’s just really nice to be taking a horse with a good profile and a good build up going into this year’s World Cup meeting. I’ve not been there for a few years so I am very much looking forward to going back.”
Diligent Harry will be joined by two fellow Team British Racing representatives in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint. FROST AT DAWN who won a Group 3 Turf Sprint at Meydan Racecourse earlier this month will represent William Knight and EMARAATY ANA (GB) who was victorious at the H.H The Emir Sword’s meeting in Qatar will line up for Jamie Osborne.
So far in 2024, 11 British trainers have won valuable races in the Middle East. On Saturday evening there will be a total of 13 British representatives for 10 trainers on the turf at Meydan.
Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic
EMILY UPJOHN (GB) for John & Thady Gosden
SPIRIT DANCER (GB) for Richard Fahey
Group 1 Dubai Turf
LORD NORTH for John & Thady Gosden
NASHWA (GB) for John & Thady Gosden
Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup
COLTRANE for Andrew Balding
ELDAR ELDAROV (GB) for Roger Varian
ENEMY (GB) for Ian Williams
GIAVELLOTTO for Marco Botti
ROBERTO ESCOBARR for Mick Appleby
TRAWLERMAN for John & Thady Gosden