Al Rayhi looking to improve in absolutely Grandstand fashion

By Duane Fonseca

Dubai: Emirati handler Ali Rashid Al Rayhi can boast about ‘being there and having done that’ but his humble, soft spoken nature prevents him from doing anything that might appear as brash.

Al Rayhi leading Al Shemali with Royston Ffrench up to the winners' enclosure after their victory in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free on 2010 Dubai World Cup night (ERA)

For years, the Grandstand Stables’ boss has punched hard and his results have done all the talking for him. This year has been no different with Al Rayhi currently sitting fourth with six wins, seven runners-up spots and eight third place finishes from his 61 runners.

The thrice UAE Champion Trainer believes things could have been better but for how things have moved on in the trying times of the pandemic. He is happy to be where he is right now with the horses starting to find their form.

“We are happy with the way things have panned out so far thanks to God and we are looking for even more winners going ahead because the horses are yet to achieve their peak fitness and will only improve as the season moves forward,” Al Rayhi, who won his last trainers’ gong in at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.

Hands On: Al Rayhi likes to be involved on all front of his training operation (supplied)

“Preparations for the season were not ideal and we, like a lot of the other stables, have faced a lot of challenges during this time which has been very challenging for everyone around the world.

“We had a lack of riders during the summer and the team was not able to move easily in order to get the horses ready early on.”

Despite 444 wins cementing his place among the Top 5 winningmost trainers in the UAE, Al Rayhi remains as ambitious as ever, with his drive to achieve success an absolute passion. And he is quick to credit his strong Grandstand Stables team that includes his assistant Mohammed Jilani for the success achieved over the years.

“Success in horseracing is down to teamwork,” he says. “I believe the whole team works for that success. We all work together to make this yard the best it can be. And the results are showing as we are being noticed more with each passing season and have new owners and horses.”

And without the most crucial element Al Rayhi would never have scaled the heights he has, which includes numerous Group level successes in the UAE. The highlight of his achievements remains the $5million Group 1 Dubai Duty Free on the 2010 Dubai World Cup card.

Al Rayhi won the race with the HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum-owned Al Shemali who pounced to a stunning victory in the hands of Royston Ffrench.

Al Shemali winning the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free under Royston Ffrench (ERA)

This season Al Rayhi scored his first win this term with AF Almomayaz on the first day of the season at Al Ain meet, with Daltrey doubling his score the following day at Jebel Ali. Al Rayhi has nine winners so far this season. He won his first six races for six different owners, which is a testament to his ability and the quality of horses in his care. In addition to the wins under his belt, he has nine second place finishes and as many thirds to show. Out of his 81 dispatches so far, 46 have finished among the money spots, with Al Rayhi already winning over a Dh1.7million in prize money this far.

Grandstand Stables currently boasts of a roster of 55, with Al Zahir representing the yard in the Group 1 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown at Abu Dhabi on Friday and only just missing out as he finished second behind Messi in the Dh5 million showpiece.

“All along we have had horses that are very capable; a good string of horses that have come to us from new and old owners. People trust us to do a good job with their horses and we try and do our best with them.”

Hope it is a season of bests for the Emirati conditioner.