As I’ve mentioned in this column previously, Dubai has fast become a stepping stone for thoroughbreds continuing their racing careers with great success on the international stage, but after attending several race meetings last week, it seems the jockeys are also doing a good job of flying the flag for the UAE.

OK, he wasn’t born in the Emirates, but Keagan Latham, who displayed great talent in the saddle last season, especially on the purebred Arabians, was in winning form at Leopardstown and Tipperary last week, and with two other visits to the winner’s enclosure for trainer, Ger Lyons, he has certainly continued the progression he showed during the winter, and is undoubtedly a jockey to keep a close eye on for the future.

One rider, who seems to be getting better with age, is the veteran (but youthful in looks!) Kevin Shea, who was out of luck at Haydock on the perhaps aptly-named Spirit Of Sharjah, but was in the saddle at Yarmouth yesterday and also partners Mike de Kock’s first runner of the UK season at Sandown tonight on Thundering Star. The fact that top handlers such as Clive Brittain and Peter Chapple-Hyam have already put him up suggest the riding talents of the evergreen Shea look finally to be getting recognised.

The big race action moves on to Ireland this weekend and their version of both the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas.

The latter is on Saturday and we look set to relish a rematch from Newmarket three weeks ago and the UK 2000 Guineas; both winner Henrythenavigator and runner-up, the previously unbeaten New Approach, now owned by Princess Haya Bint Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, look set to renew rivalry. Godolphin’s Ibn Khaldun, a big disappointment at Newmarket, could also bid to repair his reputation tarnished on the Rowley Mile.

Intriguingly, New Approach’s trainer, Jim Bolger, is also set to run debutant Luminaire who he insists is not in the field as a pacemaker for his more illustrious stable companion: "I’d be hoping he’ll finish in the first four, as this horse is running on his own rights," said Bolger, who will be bidding for his first win in this race. Confirming that New Approach was in good shape, he added: "If he’s as well as I am, he’ll run, and the ground will not matter. The going is not a concern."

It’s phenomenal to think that plans to build the world’s biggest and best racecourse city were unveiled just 14 months ago as, judging by the Meydan website, construction appears to be racing on.

In racing’s most eagerly anticipated project, as usual Dubai sets the standard and come the 2010 World Cup meeting, all eyes will be firmly focused on the most elaborate track since Ascot revamped its course three years ago.

With such a gigantic mission, there are going to be several changes around the current Nad Al Sheba site, and the small 1,400-metre-round training gallop will shortly be closed as the bulldozers begin a new phase of the multi-million dollar showpiece.

I was pleased to see the final declarations for Singapore’s big International meeting at Kranji this Sunday, as the already top-class line-up of thoroughbred royalty is set to be joined by a few of Dubai’s very own equine aristocracy.

Sprint find of last season, Star Crowned, touched down in South-East Asia last Thursday and, accompanied by his work-rider Wajid Rafiq, the XPRESS Sprint winner was reported to have travelled well and is in great shape.

Weichong Marwing, his big-race jockey, is expected to get a feel for Rashed Bouresley’s charge this morning and if the South African rider’s international-winning record is anything to go by, the pair could be hard to catch.

After an exceptional weekend of top-class action across the globe, racing was once again filling the headlines for the wrong reasons.

First it was the thrilling finish to the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last Saturday between Johnny Murtagh and Kevin Manning that attracted controversy. Then, less than 12 hours later, over in Louisville, it was the untimely death of the filly Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby which was subject to negative, and extremely unfair, reporting.

Let’s start with what I thought was a magnificent example of what racing is all about – Henrythenavigator’s scintillating victory in the initial Classic of the season.