Jockey Hills masters Meydan

Richard Hills, retained jockey to Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, triumphed in the Meydan Masters, the final meeting before Dubai World Cup night.

Hills won the prize after riding a winner, a second and a third, on a night sponsored by Meydan where some of the world's top jockeys contested the four 12-runner handicaps on the All Weather track.

Aaron Gryder won the opening leg of the Meydan Masters on Alazeyab, trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe. Gryder said: "I do like it here in Dubai and last March was very special. It is great to get straight on the board and the Meydan Masters is a great addition."

Gryder was then third in the 1,400m handicap on Consul General who led 300m out but had no answer to the late challenge of Richard Hills on Sirocco Breeze who was virtually last turning for home but flew home to win cosily.

Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, he had won in the same manner on his previous start and Hills was delighted: "These challenges are great fun for the jockeys and it is nice to get a winner."

It was the turn of Kent Desormeaux in the 2,200m handicap but it was another winner for Godolphin as Once More Dubai flew down the centre of the track to land the spoils to the delight of the jockey who showed the crowd Frankie Dettori does not have the monopoly on flying dismounts.

Christophe Lemaire was in the saddle in the concluding leg, a 2,000m handicap, on the Dhruba Selvaratnam-trained Kal Barg whom he produced late on the far rail to lead close home.

Richard Hills was third on Monte Alto to clinch the title.

Keep up with the latest business news from the region with the Emirates Business 24|7 daily newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.