By Duane Fonseca
Doug Watson has plenty of things on his mind at the start of every season, but the UAE Trainers’ Championship, it seems, is never one of them. Still, the American’s resume boasts a record eight titles. How? Perhaps the answer lies in the processes laid down by him at Red Stables, where he is boss. If you ask Watson for the secret mantra, he will most likely tell you ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’ or something of that ilk. It’s worked well for him in the past and long may it continue. But racing can be uncertain and with a smaller group of horses to work with, the odds start to stack up against you. Still, having seen him work his magic in the past, those that follow the sport closely in Dubai know that Watson can never be discounted from a championship race even if he tells you ‘I don’t think it’ll happen this year!” Whatever his reasons are for eyeing the months ahead with scepticism, Watson knows there will be much to look forward to when the business end of the season rears its head and things start heating up on the Gulf calendar with the Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup night. Watson revealed one of his stars from last year’s Dubai World Cup night, Isolate, could be Riyadh bound in February for a possible tilt at the showpiece Saudi Cup. Owned by RRR Racing, Isolate thumped his rivals by five and a half lengths in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile and has returned an even better horse according to Watson.
Watson, who underwent replacement surgery during the summer to cure a debilitating hip issue, said: “Isolate winning on Dubai World Cup night was fantastic and he’s doing really well right now. “He seems a different horse this year than he was last year. They’ve taken really good care of him and he’s been in great shape. We’ve had him do a couple of pieces of work and he will point towards the Maktoum Challenge. “We will make our decisions after that. There’s some talk of going to Saudi and we’ll need to see if he can get 1800m, so we’ll see how he races the first time and how he comes out at the end of his race in December, but he’s been in good shape.”
SHADWELL GOING GOOD Watson is also thrilled to see Sheikha Hissa picking up the baton for Shadwell, following after her father and steering the blues to what was their eighth British Champion Flat Owner title and first since 2020. And he is particularly happy about the fact Shadwell decided to send him a few more horses this term, including Shafaaf, a fivetime winner in France. “It’s fantastic to see her being in the game and enjoying it and doing so well and Shadwell doing so well. It’s just nice to keep those colours going,” said Watson. “Part of the reason I’m in this job right now is because her father (Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum) okayed for me to take over from Kiaran McLaughlin all those years ago. We had a lot of success for him and hopefully we will have a lot for her and Shadwell as we go forward.” Watson enjoyed a fair bit of success last term, with Shadwell’s Fanaar winning the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile and Prince Eiji claiming the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes and the Listed Dubai Creek Mile for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, whose colours flew to win the Listed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup on the back of San Donato. “A lot of the owners have sent me fresh stock this season with a good mix of two-year-olds sharing stalls with some of our experienced horses so we are really looking forward to get going,” he added. An equine blend of youth and experience then, and a master at the helm to navigate their careers.
.jpg)
