It’s been described in turn as the ‘Hollywood of horses’ and ‘horse heaven’, and it’s guilty as charged according to the Irish stable of workers at Qatar’s leading equestrian centre.

Richard Hughes might be retiring at the end of Glorious Goodwood but that thought could not be further away from Frankie Dettori’s mind as he racked up another Group-race success in the Qatar Vintage Stakes on Galileo Gold.

Frankie Dettori shone in Qatar yesterday as Dubday landed the Emir’s Trophy, the highlight for thoroughbreds at the three-day HH The Emir International Equestrian Sword Festival.

Yesterday’s Prix d’Aumale at Chantilly was due to be a warm-up for Al Naamah ahead of next month’s Prix Marcel Boussac but Al Shaqab Racing might have a different contender altogether after pacemaker Shahah caused a mighty turn-up.

Joseph O’Brien, the man in the hotseat when Ruler Of The World makes his debut for new part-owners Al Shaqab Racing in the Dubai World Cup, believes the colt has the scope to enjoy a long and prosperous season.