Labwah Prevails in G3 UAE Oaks at Meydan, Undercard Road-to-Kentucky Action

Labwah powered to a 7 1/2-length triumph in the G3 UAE Oaks at Meydan Racecourse on Feb. 20, 2026, stopping the timer in 2:00.57 to take AED480,000 of the AED800,000 purse and earn 50 points on the Churchill Downs Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The Charlatan filly carried 126 pounds, was ridden by Bernardo Pinheiro, trained by Salem bin Ghadayer and owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Sent straight to the front from her rail draw, Labwah survived early pressure from Pretty And Famous before extending on the final turn and drawing clear by the 200-meter marker. Yuno finished second and Dozalla was third in the 1900-metre test that marked Labwah’s third straight Carnival victory and pushed her lifetime record to 4-3-0-0 with career earnings of AED854,250.

After the race Pinheiro reflected on the ride: “She broke well and I got into a good pace, everything went very well,” said Pinheiro, riding his 37th winner of the season and 190th in the UAE. “Thank you to the whole team who put a lot of work in - I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Labwah’s win has immediate industry and breeding implications. The result gave Charlatan his first graded/group winner, a milestone for the stallion who stands at Hill ’n’ Dale at Xalapa for a $25,000 fee this term and already sired stakes winners including Little Miss Curlin and Hammond. Bred in Kentucky by Calvin Crain out of War Tigress (by War Chant), Labwah was a $125,000 OBS April 2-year-old purchase and now records her first black-type and group victory.

The dominant score also presents a crossroads for connections: pursue the GI Kentucky Oaks in May, armed with 50 qualifying points, or take on colts in the UAE Derby (G2), a high-profile route toward the Kentucky Derby. BloodHorse and other observers flagged the decision as a clear tactical puzzle for owner Sheikh Hamdan and trainer Salem bin Ghadayer, noting past UAE Oaks winners have had mixed success when shipped to Churchill Downs.

Meydan’s undercard supplied further Road-to-Kentucky movement and carnival storylines. Brotherly Love rallied late to win the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes and collected 20 points on the Euro/Mideast Road after favorite Salloom was scratched when he burst through the gates. Trainer Jamie Osborne celebrated the outcome: “Sweet revenge!” and added, “It was gutting to get pipped in this race last year with Heart of Honor so it’s great to avenge that for Jim and Claire (Bryce, owners), it’s very special for them. That’s Dad’s sixth winner of the Carnival and I’m not sure people realise how hard that is to do.”

Rider Rossa Ryan completed a double on the card, teaming with Al Nayyir for a seasonal return victory for trainer Tom Clover, the eight-year-old closed to beat favourite Sunway by half a length over a reported 2810 metres, and earlier guiding Dividend to the Touch The Future Handicap over 1900 metres for trainers Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole, with Dividend edging Masai Moon and War Socks.

Labwah’s emphatic 7 1/2-length score, her status as Charlatan’s first graded winner and the 50 Kentucky Oaks points create a compelling decision point for connections as the Carnival winds toward Dubai World Cup night and U.S. classic preps heat up.