73 Early Entries for the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes

73 Early Entries for the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes

A field of 73 have been entered in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes, the feature race of the Dubai Duty Free International Weekend on Saturday 21^st September. The six furlong contest, worth £100,000, an increase from £90,000 in 2023, is open to horses two years of age.

Notable entries amongst the strong field include recent Qatar Goodwood Festival winner, Jouncy. The Juddmonte owned son of Wootton Bassett is the half-brother to 2023 Mill Reef Stakes winner, Array. Jouncy is one of five entered for Kingsclere based trainer, Andrew Balding. A further winner on day one of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Aomori City, landed the Group 2 HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes for the Godolphin duo of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. The son of Oasis Dream is one of three Godolphin entries.

A number of Royal Ascot winning two-year-olds feature in the line-up including Rashabar who provided trainer Brian Meehan with the first of his two 2024 Royal Ascot winners when landing the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at odds of 80-1. Shareholder, the 12/1 winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes is one of eight entries for owners Wathnan Racing, the rapidly expanding racing operation of the Emir of Qatar.

The eight Irish entries are made up of seven two-year-olds from Aidan O'Brien including Group 2 Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes winner Whistlejacket and Midnight Strike from the yard of Joseph O'Brien.

Bred, owned and trained by Eve Johnson-Houghton, Betty's Clover has been a remarkable success story for the local trainer having won a Listed contest at York before finishing a close second in the Group 3 Princess Maragaret Stakes at Ascot.

Karl Burke is responsible for seven of the entries including 107 rated Arabie, already a Group 3 and Group 2 winner over six furlongs. The son of Dandy Man is seeking four consecutive victories.

The next scratching stage is on Tuesday 27^th August.