His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Gazwan and Methgal registered big black type wins while Al Shaqab Racing’s Kair Al Cham too emerged victorious in Newbury on Sunday.
Back on European soil after a successful winter in Doha, Julian Smart-trained Gazwan won the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Group 1 PA) with ease.
HE Sherida al-Kaabi’s Shabih Alreeh led the field early on, followed by Jaldi Karo while Al Shaqab Racing’s Melabi and Gazwan travelled at the rear. Once Gazwan was pulled out and asked to accelerate by his jockey, Olivier Peslier, he flew away to win the 2000-metre contest. Melabi took second pace in front of Mehdaaf Athbah.
Gazwan, with this victory under his belt, has provided Smart with a fifth success in the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes in eleven years. 
“He’s a superstar,” Smart said after the win.
“What more can I say about him! He’s run with the best, he’s beaten the best, he’s eight years old and he’s still going! The plan is to go perhaps to the Prix Dragon – Qatar Cup (Group 1 PA) if I think he needs it, and then the big one. He’s not a horse that needs a lot of racing. He’s going to have a bit of downtime now, and then we’ll see.”
Earlier in the day, the owner-trainer-jockey trio had landed the Diar International Stakes (Group 3 PA) with Methgal bouncing back from a quieter debut to land a black type race.
Seventh on his debut in Chantilly at the end of June in the Qatar Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes (Group 1 PA), the Smart-trained colt stepped back down in distance and left no chance for his rivals, winning the 1400-metre run by just over six lengths.
The race was led by Munhamer early on, and Methgal had to negotiate his way through a wall of horses before showing an impressive turn of foot, which only Al Shaqab Racing’s Traynah was able to follow to take second place. 
“We were very disappointed after his race in Chantilly,” said Smart. “He just wasn’t ready. He really has improved a lot since that race. He is only a three-year-old and works with horses like Ebraz and Gazwan, so I knew his level. I knew he would run well today, but like he did… I am really happy!”
Al Shaqab Racing’s Kair Al Cham won the UAE Embassy in London International Stakes earlier in the day. Jean-Bernard Eyquem steered the Thomas Fourcy-saddled four-year-old colt to win the 2000-metre race for pure Arabians.