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| Staff Writer |
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Australian Michael Costa narrowly missed the UAE Trainer's Championship in the 2022-2023 season and is now preparing for another competitive year at the helm of Jebel Ali Stables. With his innovative approach and unwavering dedication, Costa has not only revitalised Jebel Ali Stables but has also nurtured Group Horses like Mouheeb and Bilhayl, setting new benchmarks in the process.
As the UAE racing season approaches, Costa's yard is primed for success. In an exclusive interview with Ten Furlongs, the trainer's eyes gleam with excitement as he discusses his plans, his horses, and his vision for the future. It's a vision that has already yielded impressive results, with Costa narrowly missing out on the UAE Trainer's Championship in just his second season.
When Costa arrived in the UAE, Jebel Ali Stables was far from its peak. "The stable wasn't really flying at that stage, and we had to really rebuild," Costa recalls. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's approach wasn't to buy ready-made horses but to invest in yearlings. This strategy, while time-consuming, has proven to be a masterstroke.
"We started with 10 yearlings, then built to 15," Costa explains. "It takes a little bit longer for those horses to mature and race through different ages to give you that balance of horses across the band."
This patient approach has paid dividends. In just two years, Costa has transformed Jebel Ali Stables into a powerhouse, competing with stables that have double the number of runners. "For our second season to be pipped in the training's championship by one win and having half the number of the runners as some of the biggest stables is a good achievement," Costa says with pride.
"The goal is just to continue to turn out each horse the best way we can to get the greatest out of every horse. And if we continue to do that, then the results take care of themselves."
Costa's success isn't just about patience; it's about his keen eye for talent. The trainer has a knack for spotting potential in yearlings that others might overlook. "We focus on the physicals," Costa explains. "That's been the recipe for success for our first-year purchases."
This strategy has led to some remarkable findings. Ma Yetal, a US$150,000 purchase by Flameaway, turned out to be the highest-rated 2YO ever in the UAE. Such successes have only emboldened Costa's approach.
"We went back and doubled down on Keeneland the following year," he says. The results are already showing promise, with some of these purchases winning their trials in recent 2YOs races.
Costa's talent-spotting isn't limited to yearlings. He's also proven adept at improving horses that come to him from other stables. Bilhayl, for instance, arrived from the UK as a maiden but has since progressed through the grades, reaching Group One level.
One cannot discuss Costa's success without mentioning Mouheeb. The sprinter has been a standout performer, winning the Gr.3 Al Shindagha Sprint last season. Costa's management of Mouheeb showcases his flexibility as a trainer.
"The original plan last year was for him to start off over the sprint, then head to the mile," Costa reveals. "But as he was so dominant in the sprint, we kept him at the sprint."
This decision was partly influenced by some minor foot issues Mouheeb was dealing with. Costa's careful management allowed the horse to excel despite these challenges.
Looking ahead, Costa has big plans for Mouheeb. "This year, all going well, he'll look to kick off in a similar sprint," he says. "And then if he shows up, we might look at this. I think the Saudi track would definitely suit him."
The Dubai World Cup meeting is also on the radar, with Costa considering stretching Mouheeb out to a mile for the big night.
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While Mouheeb has been making waves on dirt, Bilhayl has been Costa's flag-bearer on turf. The horse's journey from UK maiden to Group One contender is a testament to Costa's training acumen.
"He's been a great horse," Costa says with evident affection. "He came from the UK as a maiden, and he's progressed through the grades and went all the way through Group Two, running into Group One on the big night."
Bilhayl's fourth-place finish in a Group One, where he broke the record in an intensely competitive race, speaks volumes about his quality and Costa's training.
For the upcoming season, Costa has a clear plan for Bilhayl. "He'll look to kick off on the 20th and the 12th of December in the Dubai dash. Thereafter he is most likely to go through the Blue points and just stick to those sprint races and go back to the big night again over the sprint race."
While established stars like Mouheeb and Bilhayl continue to shine, Costa is equally excited about the future. His eyes light up when discussing the upcoming crop of two-year-olds.
"From what I've seen from some of the two-year-olds that we've got in the barn, I think there's some horses well above average there," he says, barely containing his enthusiasm. "Without naming names yet, because we want to see through the trial process, I think our two-year-old batch will be the horses that give us a good leap forward into those big races."
This focus on developing young talent is a cornerstone of Costa's strategy. It's an approach that requires patience and skill, but one that has the potential to yield long-term success.
"Every day, we look for how climb mountains in the horse and ourselves as the carers of the horses. And you know, if that all stacks up, then that'll give us that little advantage at the end of the race."
With great success comes great expectation, and Costa is acutely aware of the pressure that comes with his rising profile. Having come so close to winning the UAE Trainer's Championship last season, all eyes will be on Costa and his stable this year.
However, the trainer seems to thrive under pressure. "The expectations definitely have raised, and His Highness expects results," Costa acknowledges. "But the pressure from him is minimal compared to the internal pressures that we put on ourselves to get the results."
For Costa, this pressure is a motivator rather than a burden. "It's definitely motivating. You've got to achieve your goals. We've got to keep moving forward and keep pushing forward," he says with determination.
This attitude exemplifies Costa's approach to training. It's not just about the horses; it's about constant self-improvement and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
"If we weren't feeling pressure, then I don't think we'd show the care factor that's needed to get the job done," Costa reflects. It's this combination of pressure, passion, and precision that has propelled Costa to the top of UAE racing.
As the new UAE racing season dawns, all eyes will be on Michael Costa and his charges at Jebel Ali Stables. With a stable full of talent, from established stars to promising youngsters, Costa is poised for another remarkable campaign.
In the 2022-2023 UAE racing season, Michael Costa's stable amassed 36 wins from 161 runners, with a notable prize money haul of AED 5,691,480 (approximately US$1,549,000). As the starting gates prepare to fly open for another season, the racing world eagerly anticipates the next chapter in Michael Costa's remarkable journey. With his proven track record and a stable full of talent, Costa's horses are poised to continue their pursuit of excellence on racetracks across the UAE and beyond.