Nayef Earns Second Straight Group I Win in Sheema Classic

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Nayef, a 4-year-old half-brother of Nashwan, earned his second consecutive group I win Saturday night, taking the $2 million Dubai Sheema Classic by two lengths over Helene Vitality. Sheikh Hamdan bun Rashid Al Maktoum's son of Gulch completed the 1 1/2 miles in 2:29.64 on good turf under jockey Richard Hills.

Trained by Marcus Tregoning, Nayef had been under consideration for the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I). Nayef returned from a five-month layoff to win the race in his 4-year-old debut to extend his winning streak to five races. He concluded his 3-year-old season with four straight wins, including his season-capping victory in the Dubai Champion Stakes (Eng-I) last October.

Helene Vitality finished a nose ahead of Boreal, with Marienbard another head-length back in fourth. Jerry Bailey finished 11th on Exaltation, with Dubai Champion Stakes runner-up Tobougg last of 15 runners. (Chart, Emirates Racing)

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