Slava Ukraini! Scandinavian challenger at Meydan pays tribute to war effort

Ukraine's struggle will be highlighted at Meydan on Friday when Scandinavian trainer Niels Petersen unleashes one of his most promising three-year-olds in the Listed Jumeirah Classic (5.30).

And Slava Ukraini – which translates as Glory to Ukraine – won't be lacking in support, with his ownership group including one member who has made it from within war-torn Ukraine by road and air all the way to Dubai to see jockey Pat Cosgrave don specially designed blue and yellow silks that mirror the country's flag.

"The owners, Staid Handshake, are five guys," said Petersen. "One of them lives in Ukraine and is married to a to a Ukranian woman and they live about half an hour from Kyiv. These guys were all at a party after the horse was bought and they agreed to each have a share on a handshake, hence the name of the horse and the syndicate."

"The shareholder the horse was named for drove to Poland – he's about 70km from the border – in order to get a flight to Dubai and all five owners are all here."

Petersen is perhaps best known internationally for his handling of Square De Luynes – the Frankel of the Fjords – aboard whom Cosgrave landed a pair of Stockholm International Cups. And Slava Ukraini could be a name to follow, however he gets on against Godolphin's Naval Power, who makes his first start since being sent off at 4-1 for last season's Dewhurst.

"He's a lovely big horse with a lot of scope and I think he'll be a beautiful horse in time," said Petersen, who operates his main stable in Norway as well as a satellite yard in his native Denmark. "This is all part of his education. I like to bring my young horses down here to put a bit of hair on their chest. Pat rode him in a piece of work and liked him.

"He's probably a little bit green and will be better with a run, although he's a horse I expect something from. This is a starting point."

Petersen also runs White Heart in the Zabeel Turf (4.20).

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