Howdeepisyourlove’s First Overseas Mission Ends in Tragedy at Dubai’s Al Quoz Sprint
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Howdeepisyourlove’s inaugural overseas mission concluded with a tragic injury during the prestigious Group One Al Quoz Sprint held over 1,200 meters in Dubai on Saturday night. Trained by the renowned John Size, this talented speedster was sent off as the favorite for the fast-paced six-furlong race along the Meydan straight. Everything seemed to be going perfectly, with Howdeepisyourlove traveling beautifully from a midfield position. However, just 500 meters from the finish line, disaster struck when the horse clipped heels, causing a catastrophic injury.
The jockey, James McDonald, acted swiftly by pulling up Howdeepisyourlove immediately. On-site veterinary teams quickly administered treatment after discovering the five-year-old had sustained a partial dislocation of the left front fetlock. Despite efforts to save him, the injury was severe. The horse was transported to Dubai Equine Hospital for further examination but ultimately had to be humanely euthanized due to the extent of the damage.
The official stewards’ report explained the unfortunate sequence: “Near the 500m, Howdeepisyourlove clipped the hind leg of another runner, Marbaan, which caused him to become unbalanced. Consequently, the gelding was eased out of the race, and the rider dismounted.” James McDonald confirmed in his post-race interview that Howdeepisyourlove was moving smoothly until that moment of contact. Veterinary checks post-race revealed the subluxation of his left foreleg, confirming the seriousness of the injury.
Howdeepisyourlove was more than just a promising competitor; his racing career boasted six wins from 28 starts. Among his achievements was a standout victory earlier this year in January’s Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy over 1,000 meters, a reminder of his elite speed and competitive spirit. The accompanying image captured Howdeepisyourlove in a triumphant moment during that very race, a poignant reminder of what might have been.
Meanwhile, the race saw other notable performances. The George Boughey-trained Believing narrowly won the Al Quoz Sprint, marking redemption after a less successful ninth-place finish in last year’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin. The Japanese contender Win Carnelian finished a close second, with Edward Bethell’s Regional snatching third place. One race prior to the sprint, Sword Point experienced a difficult outing in the Group Two Godolphin Mile on dirt, finishing last and trailing the winner, Raging Torrent, by a staggering 46 lengths.
Sword Point—trained by Frankie Lor Fu-chuen—had shown promise on the Sha Tin all-weather track with two wins this season but clearly found the Meydan dirt surface challenging. James McDonald also rode Sword Point in this race, yet the six-year-old struggled significantly and failed to maintain position, evidently disliking the kickback from the dirt surface.
The Godolphin Mile itself was a thrilling spectacle with Yulong Investments’ Raging Torrent taking the crown under the steady hand of jockey Frankie Dettori. French horse King Gold finished a strong second, three and a half lengths behind, while Japan’s Kazu Petrin captured third place, offering an international flavor to the highly competitive event.
The race night commenced with the Group Two Dubai Gold Cup over a grueling 3,200 meters, a race won by the home team’s Godolphin entry, Dubai Future. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey Silvestre de Sousa brought the victory to Dubai on the night, setting a triumphant tone before the sprint races unfolded.
On another racing front, Hong Kong-based jockeys Zac Purton, Hugh Bowman, and Andrea Atzeni traveled to Sydney’s Randwick for Doncaster Mile Day earlier on Saturday. While the trio did not secure any wins, Purton at least managed to claim a respectable third place in the Group One Inglis Sires’ with Buffalo, highlighting the fiercely competitive nature of the international racing scene.
This weekend’s events at Meydan showcased the exhilarating highs and devastating lows inherent in thoroughbred racing. Howdeepisyourlove’s tragic injury cast a shadow over the thrilling contests, reminding fans and participants alike of the greater risks horses face in the sport. Yet amidst it all, the heart and determination of competitors—both human and equine—continue to inspire passion and admiration across the racing world.
