Jockeys' title may be a photo finish

With the likes of Curlin and Seachange dominating the racing headlines of late, one subject that has received very little press is the current race for the coveted UAE jockeys title which is certainly being run to the wire.

Ted Durcan, who has topped the riders’ list on no fewer than six occasions, currently perches on the top of the tree a single winner ahead of his nearest pursuer.

With 213 rides so far this season, 21 mounts have been victorious and Durcan will obviously be going all out to ensure he retains his crown.

However, having only had 187 rides, but yielding 20 winners, the dual Irish champion apprentice Tadhg O’Shea looks to be in a strong position.

O’Shea, who was in good form on Sunday after a double at Abu Dhabi – and could also make a living as an Irish folk singer judging on his celebratory Fields of Athenry rendition after racing last week – was acting modest when asked if he was really going to go for the championship while in such a good position.

Modest is probably not a word I would use to describe the cheeky chappie, but with only three meetings at each racing venue remaining, O’Shea will quietly be chasing that elusive championship.

As he keeps reminding me, as long as I don’t keep tipping his mounts, the jockey’s title could be in the bag.

Mind you, with Wayne Smith also pushing and shoving in third place with 19 winners, scenes reminiscent of that great Sanders/Spencer UK duel of last year could really give race fans in the UAE something to get excited about.

Thieves on the prowl

Spare a thought for former Blue Stable jockey Michael Hills who had his house broken into last week.

Hills, who won the Golden Shaheen on State City in 2003, had gone out for dinner with his family, but was being watched, and on his return home, discovered that several "sentimental" trophies had been taken from his home.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time acts like this have been committed. Frankie Dettori also had unwanted visitors in August 2006 when thieves took his coveted "golden whip" from winning the Dubai World Cup in 1999, plus his MBE awarded in 2000.

Whirling Curlin

Tonight is the biggest night of the season so far with Curlin making his eagerly awaited debut. A large crowd will be expected, and all eyes will be firmly focused at 9.15pm. I cannot reiterate enough what a great triumph for the DIRC this is, and nobody with the slightest interest must be at Nad Al Sheba this evening. The chestnut colt has looked in magnificent shape on the track each morning and will be a surprise loser.