New Freedom topped the inaugural Dubai International Racing Carnival sale, part of the revamped two-day Emirates Racing Authority horses in training sale. The 7-year-old gelded son of Burooj brought AED2.3 million (approximately $626,000 in U.S. funds) March 4 in Dubai.
Ali Saeed Belhab purchased New Freedom. Belhab is the former owner of Red Bishop, winner of the 1994 Hong Kong International Vase (HK-I) and the 1995 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (gr. IT).
New Freedom has run six times in the United Arab Emirates, winning a Jan. 31 handicap by 6 1/4 lengths in his most recent race during the Dubai International Racing Carnival meeting for Freedom Fighters and trainer Aditiyan Selvaratnam. The gelding scored in the 2005 Presidente Julio Mesquita in Brazil, where he was bred.
Belhab also bought the second-highest-priced horse, spending AED460,000 for South African-bred Kayak. The 6-year-old gelded son of Western Winter won the Winter Racing Challenge Final for trainer Mike de Kock Jan. 3. in Dubai while owned by Lammerskraal Stud. Kayak also has a runner-up finish during his six races in the United Arab Emirates.
The Racing Carnival sale is run by the Emirates Racing Authority and the European auction firm Tattersalls. The Emirates Racing Authority horses in training sale will be held March 5 in Dubai.
