Newbury, UK: Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah, whose family sponsors the $2 million (Dh7.34 million) UAE Derby (G2), appears to have uncovered a filly with Classic potential during the opening day of the two-day Dubai Duty Free International Weekend at Newbury Racecourse, UK on Friday.

Trained by John Gosden, Nathra posted a thumping seven-length victory in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Conditions Stakes, one of four races sponsored by the renowned airport retailer.

Al Naboodah’s string in Britain is managed by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing and Nathra was purchased for Naboodah by the Queen’s racing advisor John Warren.

Nathra is seen as a Classic prospect for next year though she may possibly be aimed at the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day in a fortnight’s time.

Nathra’s victory completed a double for jockey Frankie Dettori which had been initiated in the Dubai Duty Free Cup, a Listed event worth £37,000 for three-year-olds, another of the day’s highlights.

Dettori was aboard Hathal who is owned by his contracted employers Al Shaqab Racing.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for Al Shaqab, said: “The win was welcome to William Haggas after a day of frustrating seconds, made all the sweeter as this was his first stakes victory for Al Shaqab. And Hathal may be back next year at Newbury for the Group One Lockinge Stakes – especially if the ground is soft next spring.

“I’ve been saying all season that Hathal needs faster going when in fact he needs it softer,” said the modest Haggas.

It has been an astonishing year for Dubai Duty Free’s racing sponsorships and Colm McLoughlin, Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice-Chairman who has provided continuity at the helm from day one, emphasized the importance of horseracing sponsorship.

“It is an important platform for us to showcase our brand. We are delighted to be back at Newbury Racecourse for the 19th running of the Dubai Duty Free International meeting,” he said.

Proceedings had opened with the £10,000 Al Basti Equiworld EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes for two-year-olds over six furlongs.

The famous green and blue Sangster colours were carried for an all the way victory by Christchurch, trained at nearby Manton whose fortunes were revived by the late Robert Sangster in the 1970s. There are no big plans for Christchurch at the moment but he will win many more races – if perhaps not quite the quality of Nathra and Hathal.

It was followed by the £11,500 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Handicap, a competitive event on paper but reduced to a two-horse race as pacemaker Satellite in the light blue of Highclere and the dark blue of Godolphin’s Keep In Line pulled a mile clear of their opponents.

Eventually Keep In Line wore down Satellite but both horses will win more races on this, their preferred soft ground – the younger Keep In Line, a relatively inexperienced three-year-old has a bright future in staying races.

And it was the ground said his trainer David Simcock, which certainly assisted Fractal in the following £25,000 Dubai Duty Free Handicap. The boot was on the other foot as Fractal, winning for the first time this season, caught Godolphin’s front runner Memorial Day. Simcock was delighted that Fractal had been able to win such a valuable race ‘without having to have a smack.’