Tag Archive for: Richard Fahey

Spirit Dancer heading home after Riyadh run

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Richard Fahey’s Spirit Dancer will be given time to recuperate from his Neom Turf Cup run before the rest of his campaign is mapped out.

The eight-year-old has thrived in the Middle East in recent seasons, winning back-to-back renewals of the Bahrain International Trophy and landing last season’s running of the Riyadh Group Two.

He was aimed at the latter race again this season, but could not reproduce the performance that saw him triumph last term and he came home in sixth place.

Last season the Sheema Classic was his next port of call after Saudi Arabia, but having come out of the Neom Turf Cup slightly sore, he will return home before any further plans are made.

“He just came back a little bit sore from the race, so we’ll have to see how he is,” said Fahey.

“He didn’t really finish his race, we thought he was going to pick up and run a big one but he just didn’t finish off as well as we would like.

“It’s a shame as he arrived there in great form, he’s due back on Thursday so we’ll get him home and have a look at him.

“Then we can make a decision about what to do with him. He’s fine, he’s not lame or anything, he just trotted up a bit pottery and you could tell he’d had a race.”

Spirit Dancer on track for Riyadh repeat

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Richard Fahey is preparing the globetrotting Spirit Dancer for a return to Saudi Arabia next month.

The eight-year-old has carried the red and white silks of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with distinction on foreign soil, notching back-to-back wins in the lucrative Bahrain International Trophy as well as claiming victory in the Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh last February.

He has also performed well in defeat in Dubai and was last seen finishing down the field in the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin in December.

Spirit Dancer kicked off his 2024 campaign by placing fourth in the Group One Jebel Hatta at Meydan in late January, but Fahey is taking a different approach this year.

“He’s going back to Riyadh for the Neom Turf Cup and we’re quite happy to go straight there,” said the Musley Bank handler.

“We ran in the Jebel Hatta beforehand last year, but he’s had two trips away this time, going to Bahrain and Hong Kong, so I wanted to give him a bit of time off before getting ready for Saudi.

“In Hong Kong they don’t go a great gallop which doesn’t suit him. They sort of pull the races up and sprint and he loves them to go quick and grind it out.

“He’s come back in great nick, everything is good and we can always look at going to Dubai after Saudi if things go well.”

Dancer back in good spirits ahead of Hong Kong challenge

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Hong Kong is calling for Spirit Dancer after picking up his latest globetrotting prize in Bahrain recently.

Richard Fahey’s seven-year-old, who is part-owned and bred by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, gave his connections a winter to remember when winning the Bahrain International Trophy 12 months ago before following up in Saudi Arabia’s Neom Turf Cup.

With a repeat of those achievements and seeking further international riches becoming the focus, all efforts went into returning Spirit Dancer to the Persian Gulf in peak condition.

The result was a phenomenal display as he stormed home hard held under Oisin Orr to pick up Bahrain’s feature prize for the second year running in what was arguably a career-best performance.

Spirit Dancer will now head to Sha Tin, where he faces the mammoth task of stopping Danny Shum’s local hero Romantic Warrior from securing a third-straight Hong Kong Cup triumph.

“He’s fine and the plan is to probably go to Hong Kong if we can,” said Fahey.

“It’s always tough going to Hong Kong but he’s lightly raced this year and the plan was to have an overseas trip, so that is what we are doing.

“It’s all about opinions but the time in the Bahrain International Trophy was four seconds faster than the year before and on similar ground, so the clock says it was a better performance than the year before.

“It’s been a wonderful experience and trip and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.”

Spirit Dancer with Richard Fahey, Ged Mason, jockey Oisin Orr and Sir Alex Ferguson
Spirit Dancer with Richard Fahey, Ged Mason, jockey Oisin Orr and Sir Alex Ferguson (Steven Cargill/Bahrain Turf Club)

Far East dreams threatened to be curtailed when Spirit Dancer was unable to make his scheduled flight back to Fahey’s Musley Bank set-up due to a colic scare.

However, the son of Frankel has quickly recovered and is now on course to head straight to Hong Kong to prepare for his December 8 assignment.

“He was due to fly back to England and then fly to Hong Kong but he was taken off the plane with a touch of colic,” continued Fahey.

“He’s been fine since and he’s cantered three times in Bahrain since. The horse that was third (Calif) is also flying to Hong Kong, so he’s going to fly straight from Bahrain to Hong Kong now.”

Hopes high Spirit Dancer can give Ferguson and company another big day

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All eyes will be on Spirit Dancer as he returns to the Middle East on Friday looking to repeat last year’s thrilling victory in the Bahrain International Trophy.

With former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson both his breeder and among the gelding’s owners, the son of Frankel gave connections a day to remember when plundering the 10-furlong event which this year is worth $1million and run as a Group Two.

Trained by Richard Fahey, Spirit Dancer’s Bahrain success was leg one of a phenomenal winter double which also saw him land a valuable prize in Saudi Arabia in the early part of 2024.

He has followed a similar path back to the region by tuning up at Newmarket last month and Fahey is excited to see how his charge performs in a deeper contest this time around, with Ferguson one of those flying in to witness the race.

Fahey said: “He’s in great form and he’s a fresh horse who goes there in great order.

“He’s always a horse that we feel runs a better race if he’s had a race to bring him on and clear his wind and he’s had that.

“He’s travelled really well this year and he’s eating and drinking loads and we’re really pleased with him.

“It’s a tougher race this year, but he did win well last year so we will see.”

Spirit Dancer exited stall 11 when thriving in Bahrain 12 months ago and in a case of Deja vu has been handed the same spot this time around, as he faces off against the likes of Aidan O’Brien’s Point Lonsdale and Owen Burrows Alflaila, who missed last year’s race through a late setback.

Fahey continued: “It’s incredible he’s in the same stall really. We were a bit disappointed with that draw last year, but there is no point getting disappointed this time as he showed it is possible, so we will see.

“The owners arrived in the early hours of Thursday morning and were straight out on the track. They are here and enjoying themselves and enjoying this horse as well.”

Other British representation in a truly international line-up includes Charlie Appleby’s globetrotting Nations Pride, who was seventh behind Spirit Dancer last year but arrives having won the Arlington Million at Colonial Downs in the summer.

Lead Artist was a good winner at Newmarket last month
Lead Artist was a good winner at Newmarket last month (Nigel French/PA)

There is also John and Thady Gosden’s Lead Artist who is the only three-year-old in the reckoning and had the defending champion just over 13 lengths in arrears when striking in the Darley Stakes at Newmarket 34 days ago.

“We’re looking foreword to seeing him run, it’s another step up the ladder but he’s had a good season and I though he was impressive in his last win,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“He’s taking on older horses which will be a challenge and he’s the only three-year-old in the field, but he’s in good form and he’s a horse we have always liked a lot. We’re hopeful of a good run.

“I think John and Thady were keen to travel him to give him that experience he needs for next year. He’s gone through the motions this year and ran at Newmarket a few times and been down to Goodwood, but this will give him that little bit more experience which will stand to him next year.”

Strike Red regains Sprint Trophy with convincing victory

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Strike Red has been touted as a potential Group horse after landing the Coral Sprint Trophy for the second time in three years at York.

The six-year-old, trained by Richard Fahey, won this race in 2022 when claiming a three-quarter length success over Hyperfocus under the hands of Billy Garritty.

That jockey was reunited with the son of Dark Angel in his favourable soft-ground conditions over six furlongs at the Knavesmire.

Garritty ensured his mount was prominent in the 21-runner field and positioned himself behind early front-runners Germanic and Sergeant Wilko on the inside rail.

He made his move just after the two-furlong marker and immediately stretched clear of his rivals.

The fast-finishing Room Service, who went off as the 11-2 favourite, closed the gap to three-quarters of a length, but Strike Red reclaimed his title at a price of 6-1.

Garritty has now ridden the last four of Strike Red’s eight career victories and he believes the bay gelding is capable of stepping up in class.

Strike Red after winning the Coral Sprint Trophy at York
Strike Red has won the Sprint Trophy on his last two starts in the race (Josh Luckhurst/PA)

“He’s been magnificent for me and the yard,” Garritty said. “All credit to the governor (Fahey) and Robin (O’Ryan, assistant trainer), because he had a bad injury last year, an injury that really wasn’t seen on any Flat horses, more so jumpers – and this year, he’s been better than ever.

“Things haven’t worked out for him in a few races, but he was brought out easily enough and won easily.

“The way he moves through a race, I always tell the governor, he’s probably a Group horse. There he put it to bed pretty easily and there were top-end handicappers there and he found it quite easy.

“Based on that form, it’s something to look forward to. It was smooth, but when you are on the best horse, it is always smooth.”

Dancer to kick off Bahrain prep with Darley date

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Spirit Dancer will follow the same route as 12 months ago and tune up for his defence of the Bahrain International Trophy at Newmarket next week.

Co-owned by former Manchester United manger Sir Alex Ferguson, Spirit Dancer has previously enjoyed a profitable time in the Middle East, winning in Bahrain before also lifting the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Connections will bid for further riches on the international stage this winter but first the seven-year-old son of Frankel – who was also bred by Ferguson – will head to the Rowley Mile to run in the Space Blues Darley Stakes on October 12, a race in which he finished fourth last year.

Fahey said: “Spirit Dancer is in great form. He will have a prep run at Newmarket in the Darley Stakes, following the same route that he took last year.

“We all had an amazing trip and experience in Bahrain and the team are really looking forward to going back this year.”

There are 61 initial entries for the $1million Bahrain International Trophy on November 15, with notable names including Aidan O’Brien’s Luxembourg, John and Thady Gosden’s Nashwa and James Fanshawe’s Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly.

Mill Reef field depleted following overnight rain

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Richard Fahey’s Powerful Glory will aim to build on his big reputation when he lines up in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

Due to heavy overnight rain the Newbury card has been decimated by non-runners, including in the afternoon’s feature race.

Adrian Keatley’s Symbol Of Strength, Hamad Al Jehani’s Defence Minister, Charlie Appleby’s Shadow Of Light and the Karl Burke-trained Andesite are all non-runners.

Powerful Glory made a deep impression when justifying odds-on favouritism on his debut at Pontefract last month.

Bruce Raymond is racing manager for Powerful Glory’s owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum and also looks after the racing interests of Jaber Abdullah, whose colours will be carried by another winning debutant in Jack Channon’s Sarab Star.

Raymond said: “Richard Fahey’s horse I thought had a very good winning chance, certainly a good each-way chance.

“His form hasn’t worked out much, but he’s a lovely horse and I think he could go pretty close.

“They were confident before Pontefract and he won well, so I think he’s got a good chance, hopefully, but it’s a good race of course.

“Jack’s horse is going to be one of the outsiders, but he was pretty confident going to Salisbury and I think he can improve a bit and has got a nice outside chance.”

Bargain-buy Brian has enjoyed a fine campaign for trainer Sylvester Kirk, breaking his duck over this course and distance and landing a valuable sales race at Newmarket.

The son of Shaman has also finished third in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and third in the Sirenia on his most recent outing, prompting connections to stump up the required £5,000 to supplement him for the Mill Reef earlier this week.

“We’re looking forward to it, just being in the race and having a little squeak is great,” said Kirk.

“There’s a bit of rain forecast, which I think I will help him. It’s the owners’ local racetrack and they thought ‘why not’ (supplement), so that’s why we’ve done it.

“It’s a proper race, one of the best races to win as a two-year-old, and he’s certainly had enough experience, hasn’t he?

“He didn’t cost a lot, the owners have had great fun with him, he’s in great form and he’ll go and take his chance.”

Newmarket run on the cards for Spirit Dancer before Middle East adventure

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Spirit Dancer is set to follow the same route to his successful campaign in the Middle East last winter, with a tune-up run at Newmarket before heading off on his globetrotting adventure.

The seven-year-old, who carries the red and white silks of part-owner and breeder Sir Alex Ferguson, took his career earnings to over £1.7million following victory in the Bahrain International Trophy in November before landing the even more lucrative Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh in February.

He was last seen in Meydan for the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic in March, but the Frankel gelding was unable to land a blow on Dubai World Cup night, finishing 11th of 12 runners.

Spirit Dancer did sustain an injury on his last appearance, which has seen a delay to his reappearance. However, trainer Richard Fahey has set out a path for his stable star.

The Musley Bank handler confirmed his charge will travel to Newmarket for the Group Three Darley Stakes in October, as he did last year when finishing five and half lengths behind Highland Avenue in fourth.

Attention is mainly on the Middle East for Fahey and Spirit Dancer, though, as they aim to retain their money-spinning titles.

“he’s good. He’s had a bit of an easy period, but he’s been back cantering for two months. He’s had a good rest and the plan was to give him a break so we’ve given him one,” Fahey said.

Highland Avenue and William Buick coming home to win the Earthlight Darley Stakes at Newmarket
Spirit Dancer, second left in red, will return to Newmarket before travelling to the Middle East (Nigel French/PA)

“He will head back to the Middle East, probably run at Newmarket before and head back to Bahrain.

“To be honest his focus is the Middle East. We will see, he’s had a tough enough year this year. He’s had a such a busy time that he needed a break. We’ll probably run him at Newmarket in that Group Three, the Darley Stakes, and then head to Bahrain.

“I did try him at a mile and half, but he had a bit of a setback in that race so it’s a bit inconclusive. I can’t see why we would change it from a mile and quarter at the moment.”

Fahey dominates Great St Wilfrid as Dare To Hope delivers

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Dare To Hope led home stablemate Ramazan to provide Richard Fahey with a one-two in the William Hill Great St Wilfrid and give him a third winner of Ripon’s most valuable race of the season.

Fahey has tasted glory before with Baccarat (2013) and Don’t Touch (2015), who subsequently went on to land the Ayr Gold Cup, and the handler dominated the six-furlong sprint again inside the final furlong.

Top weight Ramazan ran his heart out once more and having been pipped in the Victoria Cup at Ascot earlier in the season, it is surely only a matter of time before he lands a deserved big pot.

But it was the 9-2 favourite Dare To Hope, unlucky in running at Goodwood when last seen, who was the better handicapped of the pair.

Not only was it two Fahey runners dominating the finish, both his jockeys were called Oisin, and it was stable number one Oisin Orr who came out on top by three-quarters of a length, with Oisin McSweeney having to settle for second.

Secret Guest was third, with Summerghand, twice placed in the race before, back in fourth.

Orr said: “I had a good draw and they weren’t going fast enough for him, the race kind of fell apart two and a half out, which really suited my horse and he galloped out well.

“I think he needs a good gallop to aim at, so I knew I was coming there with a chance, but when I looked up, I could see Richard’s other horse, so I thought I’d stay away from him.

“He ran well at Goodwood and he’s always worked really well. I imagine he’ll be aimed at some nice races now.”

Fahey’s assistant trainer Robin O’Ryan said: “I was cheering for them both because they both deserved it. Ramazan really deserves one, as he just got beat at Ascot earlier in the season.

“It’s lovely for all the owners of the winner, I couldn’t believe we were first and second – it was a great result.

“Ramazan must be a tough horse; over six or seven furlongs, he always runs his heart out and he’s probably Listed class.

“The winner is a lovely horse, we haven’t seen the best of him yet. I’m sure they’ll both be heading towards Ayr.”

Richard Fahey saddled the first two home
Richard Fahey saddled the first two home (Julian Herbert/PA)

Syndicate organiser John Wicks said of Dare To Hope: “I’ve run racehorse partnerships for Richard since 1999, many of these guys have been in virtually the whole time – and he’s the best we’ve had.

“I work very hard at it, I daren’t tell my wife how little I charge but it’s great to do it with a group of people. Look how happy they are! It’s a magic day.

“He’s had a bit of bad luck a few times, he’s that sort of horse. He comes from a little bit back and he doesn’t have a turn of foot, he just keeps going.

“He was blocked in the Sky Bet Dash at York and the Stewards’ Cup – Vincent Ho reckoned he’d have got third at Goodwood, even though he was drawn wrong.”

Superlative fancy Ancient Truth ‘has come forward again’

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Charlie Appleby feels Ancient Truth has a “live chance” of providing him with a fifth victory in Saturday’s bet365 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.

Since breaking his duck with Boynton in 2016, the Moulton Paddocks handler has saddled a trio of subsequent Group One winners to land this Group Two prize in Quorto (2018), Master Of The Seas (2020) and Native Trail (2021).

Having made a successful start to his career on the Rowley Mile in mid-May, Ancient Truth followed up over this course and distance last month and Appleby is looking forward to raising his sights.

“He’s two from two and has got that experience on this track now and I feel he has come forward again from his last run if anything,” he said.

“The timing is hopefully suitable and I feel he has hopefully come forward mentally and physically.

“It’s a good Superlative, as it always is, and hopefully we go there with a live chance.”

The Richard Fahey-trained Columnist and George Boughey’s Pentle Bay both bring Royal Ascot placed form to the table, having finished third and second in the Coventry and Chesham Stakes respectively.

Columnist was beaten just a neck as a 50-1 shot at the Royal meeting and Fahey is keen to discover whether his charge possesses the required stamina for this step up from six to seven furlongs.

He said: “I was a bit shocked how big of a price he was at Ascot, but he ran a good, solid race.

“You’ve got to take it on trust that he’ll stay seven. His six-furlong form looks very good, so we’ll see what happens.

“He’s never been stopping in his races and he’s a relaxed type. We’re happy with him, so if he can stay seven and bring that Royal Ascot form, I’m sure he’s got a big chance.”

Pentle Bay found only the hugely impressive Bedtime Story too strong in the Chesham and Boughey believes he merits his place in the line-up.

“It’s probably going to be slightly different ground, as it was very fast at Ascot, but very fair, safe ground. He’s been training great since and deserves a crack at this sort of level,” said Boughey.

“I think a stiff seven (furlongs) will suit him and he looks like he has a more stout pedigree than a few of them at the top end of the market.”

Bedtime Story’s trainer Aidan O’Brien sent over City Of Troy to score here in impressive fashion 12 months ago and this time relies upon The Parthenon, who after finishing fifth in the Group Three Marble Hill Stakes on debut, opened his account at short odds at Gowran Park.

“The Parthenon was taken out of the Railway Stakes on the day and he is clearly open to considerable improvement after just the two starts, which included a win over this trip at Gowran last time,” jockey Ryan Moore told Betfair.

“He will need to improve to win this but obviously the potential is there.”

Danny Welbeck is one of the owners of Seagulls Eleven
Danny Welbeck is one of the owners of Seagulls Eleven (Martin Rickett/PA)

Hugo Palmer’s Seagulls Eleven is a similarly unknown quantity, having confirmed the promise of his debut second at Haydock with a clear-cut win at the same venue next time.

A son of the trainer’s 2000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold, Seagulls Eleven is owned by a clutch of current and former Brighton footballers including Billy Gilmour, Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana.

“We’re really looking forward to him running. He’s always done nice things at home and he’s very versatile as far as ground is concerned – he ran very well on soft ground at Haydock and then won very nicely on firm ground at Haydock,” said Palmer.

“We’re looking forward to seeing him take his chance and seeing how he gets on going up in grade.”

Force aiming to make Beverley impact

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The red-hot Richard Fahey will attempt to land the bet365 Two Year Old Trophy Conditions Stakes for the second year running when he saddles Moving Force at Beverley on Saturday.

The Musley Bank handler has won this with Summer Sands (2019) and Bombay Bazaar (2023) in recent years with both marching on to run at Royal Ascot and he could have another above-average juvenile on his hands judged by his taking debut at the track last month.

The son of Mehmas was always in control over the same five furlongs he faces here and his handler is taking plenty of encouragement from that performance ahead of this step into deeper waters.

“We were very pleased with him on debut, he’s a quick horse and he’s entitled to improve for that,” said Fahey.

“He does have to give weight all round which feels a bit unfair, but that’s life.

“He’s a very nice colt, we like him and we’ll find out if he’s an Ascot horse after this.”

Moving Force’s biggest danger could be Karl Burke’s newcomer Shareholder, who carries a big reputation having been recently purchased for €460,000 and has been delighting connections in the lead up to his racecourse bow.

“He was bought from the Arqana breeze-up so it is quite a quick turnaround, but when we bought him I said to Karl ‘let’s give him a chance of being an Ascot horse’,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser to owners Wathnan Racing.

“Karl hasn’t had him very long but he is very happy and did a serious piece of work the other day.

“It’s quite a quick turnaround but the horse is screaming he is ready to run. Let’s hope he is and I’ll be nervous watching, but I think he is definitely a nice horse.

Karl Burke is in great form
Karl Burke is in great form (Mike Egerton/PA)

“It’s a tough race and if it doesn’t happen that is absolutely fine. It will be good to get him out and get him started.

“I’ve worked with Karl for a while and when you are buying some of these sharp types, he is an obvious name to drop in the hat to train these breeze-up horses.”

Pontefract winner Regal Gem carries a similar profile to Moving Force having struck an encouraging blow on debut and will represent Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood, while John and Sean Quinn’s Jm Jhingree was tough when opening his account at Redcar and could enjoy this stiff sprint test.

Craig Lidster’s first timer Horus completes the select group of five heading to post.

Pretty Crystal denies Dance Sequence in Nell Gwyn

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Pretty Crystal held off the late surge of Dance Sequence in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket.

Viewed as the first 1000 Guineas trial of the spring, Charlie Appleby’s previously unbeaten Dance Sequence was 10-11 favourite to enhance her Classic claims.

William Buick was briefly short of room on the Godolphin filly and it was just then that Oisin Orr on Pretty Crystal made his decision to set off in pursuit of Brian Meehan’s Kathmandu, who had made a bold bid for home.

As Kathmandu’s stride began to shorten, it was Richard Fahey’s Pretty Crystal who looked the likely winner but Dance Sequence, once in the clear, began to make ground.

The favourite began to roll around upon meeting the rising ground, though, making life difficult for Buick, and that enabled Pretty Crystal (18-1) to come out on top by a neck.

Fahey said: “I’m just delighted because she had some tough tasks last year and it’s nice to get one. She’s been placed a few times, but I kept saying she was a black-type filly and it’s the first time she’s won one so it’s grand.

“It was a real career-best, the favourite looked a good filly and she battled away. It was a good, hardy, tough performance and you would have to be really pleased with her.

“She had to step up and she has done, she stuck her head down and kept going and we’re delighted. We were expecting a decent run and I thought we definitely had an each-way chance.

“We haven’t put her in the 1000 Guineas and when she stepped into Pattern company last year she was found wanting a little bit. We could supplement her, but we will speak to the team and work our way from there.

“It’s been a lucky race for us and I think it’s something like the third time we have won it now. It’s quite a prestigious race and to get black-type in a race like that is great. We are little bit shocked that we beat the Godolphin filly.”

Oisin Orr was full of praise for Pretty Crystal
Oisin Orr was full of praise for Pretty Crystal (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Orr said: “I was delighted and things went a lot smoother today as a few times I’ve been unlucky on her.

“I got a lovely run and she is tough, she hit the line strong and was great.

“She had good form as a two-year-old, but I think she’s a lot stronger and she’ll be right up there with the good fillies we have and it’s good to get her head in front.”

Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager for owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: “I couldn’t understand how she was such a big price – I thought we would be single figures.

“I don’t think she’s in the Guineas, but we might have to put her in! We have got to find out what we have to do now, but why not (have a go). Dubawis, they never stop improving I think and as they get older they get better. Big heart, tries, it’s what you need.”

Appleby said of Dance Sequence “Without winning, we are delighted with the run and that is very much what the trials are there for.

“I spoke to William and said we are going to have to ride her a bit closer to the pace because the twice she ran last year she just got through the line and was learning on the job. Today there were pacier fillies in there and I thought he might just have to ask her a bit more to get to them and I think we saw all of that develop throughout the race.

“Even going to the line, William thought he had won and she ducks out towards the rail so it’s just all about learning and I think you will see a different filly in two and a half weeks’ time. That extra furlong will suit and just the experience of this itself.

“The Guineas is two and a half weeks away so needless to say we hope there is a little bit more there, hopefully.”

Spirit Dancer set for well-deserved holiday after Dubai run

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Spirit Dancer is set for a well-earned break after finishing lame in his bid for further international honours in Saturday’s Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

Richard Fahey’s charge has enjoyed a hugely productive winter on foreign soil, carrying the red and white silks of part-owner and breeder Sir Alex Ferguson to victory in the Bahrain International Trophy before claiming an even more lucrative success in the Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh.

The seven-year-old was unable to land a blow when stepped up in class on Dubai World Cup night, finishing 11th of 12 runners, but was subsequently found to have sustained an injury.

“He has a chip in his joint I’m afraid, so he did pull up lame,” Fahey said on Tuesday.

“It (injury) won’t have helped. It was a messy sort of race as he sort of dropped in and never got back into it, but that can’t have helped.

“He was due for a holiday anyway and he’ll get it now. He’s fit enough to travel and we’ll sort him out when we get him home.

“It’s been a fantastic winter with him and he’s got the money in the bank to prove it!”

Sir Alex Ferguson (centre) at the Cheltenham Festival
Sir Alex Ferguson (centre) at the Cheltenham Festival (Joe Giddens/PA)

While Fahey is keen to get his charge back to his North Yorkshire base before committing to future targets, there is every chance Spirit Dancer will be stamping his passport again later in the year.

The trainer added: “I’d be keen to go back there (Dubai) again next year, so all roads and plans will lead to go there.

“I’ve got Hong Kong in my mind as well, so we’ll see. He could have a couple of runs over here and then head back over there.”

Fergie eyeing lucrative treble with Spirit Dancer

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Having broken his Cheltenham Festival duck with a dream double when Monmiral and Protektorat scored, Sir Alex Ferguson is chasing more glory with Spirit Dancer in the Dubai Sheema Classic on Saturday.

Bred by Ferguson himself, the Richard Fahey-trained seven-year-old has enjoyed a memorable 12 months.

He started last season in handicaps off a mark of 97, his winning spree began at York in July, was followed by a Racing League success at Windsor and he returned to the Knavesmire to claim the Group Three Strensall Stakes.

Spirit Dancer appears to love racing abroad even more, though, as in November he bagged the Bahrain Trophy and last month he won the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia, taking his career earnings to over £1.7million.

“Everything’s going great. Looking at the videos and speaking to the lad out there, I believe he’s come on in his coat and his demeanour, he’s in very good form,” said Fahey.

“He did have five weeks to acclimatise from his first run this season to the Neom Turf Cup and it’s nearly another five weeks again.

“We’re very lucky to be able to have him there because it’s more or less the same climate in the Middle East and he’s had time to settle into a good routine – he’s loving his time there. It’s an easier preparation to do it there than from here.

“It was always in the back of my mind to go to a mile and a half. You’d have every confidence that he should stay. He relaxes and in all his races he’s always finished well.

“We are in at Group One level, so it will be a huge ask, but we’ve had a nice prep and it’s always nice coming there off the back of a win. I’m really looking forward to seeing him run.”

Spirit Dancer to chase Dubai riches for Sir Alex Ferguson

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Spirit Dancer is firmly on course for a Dubai World Cup night outing after providing Sir Alex Ferguson with further international success in Saudi Arabia.

The Richard Fahey-trained seven-year-old gave the former Manchester United manager – along with co-owners Ged Mason and Peter Done – a day to remember when scoring in the Bahrain International Trophy in November and hit the target once again in the Middle East in the Neom Turf Cup.

Having scooped a first-prize of just shy of £1million when downing the likes of Aidan O’Brien’s Luxembourg in Riyadh, the son of Frankel will now return to Dubai, where he has spent the majority of the winter and will be prepared for Meydan action on March 30.

“It has been a great winter with him and he’s progressing well,” said Fahey.

“He’s taken to us to another level of enjoyment there and the whole thing has been great. It’s very exciting.

“We flew him into Dubai for his last run (in the Jebel Hatta) and left him there and now he has flown back to Dubai. We will see how he is, but he looks well and is summering well in Dubai. He’s in great form and enjoying life at the moment competing at the very highest level.

“Definitely, all being well, you will see him on World Cup night.”

Spirit Dancer’s latest victory came over an extended 10 furlongs and Fahey now has to decide whether Spirit Dancer stretches out to a mile and a half for the first time to take part in the Dubai Sheema Classic or drops back to nine furlongs for the Dubai Turf.

Fahey added: “I haven’t decided which race yet and it will be either be the nine-furlong race or the mile and a half. I’ll see how he is training and I have to make a decision soon because he has an invite, but I haven’t 100 per cent made a decision yet.

“It’s always been in my mind to give him a go (at a mile and a half).

“I’ll have to have look and see what runs in each race there and I’m afraid there is no easy race, but when they are $5m and $6m races, that’s what you expect in Dubai.”