Tycoon set for Dubai bow

Tycoon, third in the Irish Derby behind Grey Swallow, could make his Dubai debut next month after being bought by Sheikh Rashid in a private deal.

The three-year-old son of Sadler’s Wells also finished third in the St Leger at Doncaster when trained by Aidan O’Brien but he is now with Nad Al Sheba handler Mazin Al Kurdi.

Sheikh Rashid, son of Sheikh Mohammed, moved to buy the horse from Sue Magnier after he finished third behind Kitten’s Joy in the Joe Hirsch Tur Classic Invitational at Belmont Park in October.

Tycoon is reported to have settled in well at Al Kurdi’s Millennium 2 Stables and the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes on Christmas Eve is a possibility for his UAE bow although plans remain fluid at this stage.

“He is a very nice horse and a great addition to our team. I need to discuss exact plans with Sheikh Rashid, but his long term goal is the Dubai Sheema Classic on World Cup night,” said Al Kurdi.

The Syrian-born trainer, who won his first UAE trainers’ title last season, also has top two-year-old Caesar Beware in his care.

The Daggers Drawn gelding was bought by Sheikh Rashid after winning the £200,000 (€285,200) St Leger Yearling Stakes at Doncaster but he was beaten into second on his final start in the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy.

He could also be seen on the track in the UAE in the not too distant future according to Al Kurdi.

“He arrived with Tycoon and has settled in well,” he said.

“He is going well in his early work and I will discuss plans with Sheikh Rashid, but the UAE 2000 Guineas in February will be his first major target. He could have a prep race next month or early January.”