American trainer Doug Watson, who is based at Red Stables in Dubai, is the new trainer of record for MGSW & GISP Quip (Distorted Humor) and Keeneland maiden winner Liam's Legend (Liam's Map), as that duo will now race for new owners at the upcoming Dubai World Cup Carnival. Previously campaigned by WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club and SF Racing LLC, the former Rodolphe Brisset-trained Quip won the GII Tampa Bay Derby as a sophomore and the GII Oaklawn H. this term, and reported home second in the 2018 GI Arkansas Derby. A private purchase by His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, he was last seen running sixth in the GIII Lukas Classic S. at Churchill Downs on Sept. 28.
“When we saw that Quip was available to buy, we were pretty excited about that,” Watson said. “The one thing is that I know he can probably get into [is] the [G2] Godolphin Mile on rating, but we'll also obviously look at the [G1] Dubai World Cup with a horse like him because he's won at nine furlongs.
“He had time off at WinStar and just arrived into quarantine in Ocala with Dave Scanlon,” Watson said. “I think we'll look at one or two spots for him to return—either the [Feb. 13 G3] Firebreak over a mile or the [Feb. 6 G2] Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 over 1900m). He's joined by Liam's Legend and Moshaher.”
Also trained by Brissett, Liam's Legend, who sold for $325,000 during the recent Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, will now race in the colours of Khalid Mishref after making two starts for Niall Brennan, Mike Ryan and Mike Anderson Racing LLC. The grey was fifth at first asking at Churchill Downs on Sept. 20, but returned to break his maiden in the slop at Keeneland Oct. 26.
“For me, the one thing I really liked about Liam's Legend is he hit the front and was going away and that was a nine-furlong race,” Watson said. “I know it was on a sloppy track, but I believe he probably would have won like that either way and it shows that he wants to stay the trip, which is key here when the distances get longer in races like the [G2] UAE Derby. We will try to make the [G3] UAE 2000 Guineas with him and I'm sure his owner will probably want to run in the new Saudi race for 3-year-olds before the UAE Derby.”
Returning to the Emirates is the winning Moshaher (Goldencents) for Hamza Dourda and Elbashir Elhrari. The $87,000 OBSAPR alumni made two prior starts Stateside at Belmont this fall and was fifth in an Oct. 14 allowance. He returns to the UAE after being gelded.
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