Racing returned to Meydan on Thursday night and Sheikh Hamdan’s stallion Aamaaq opened proceedings with a convincing victory in the Emirates Holidays over 1600m.

Aamaaq (7h Danehill — Alabaq by Riverman) won his maiden at Thirsk in June 2006 under the care of John Dunlop.  He has since been based in the Gulf with trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe winning races at Nad al Sheba (2) and Jebel Ali.

Aamaaq is by breed shaper Danehill from Newmarket stakes winner Alabaq.  Second dam Salsabil (Sadler’s Wells) was a G1 winner of the Irish Derby, English Oaks, English 1000 Guineas, Prix Marcel Boussac and Prix Vermeille.