ost race horse owners consider having a runner in the Epsom Derby as a minor triumph in itself. Khalifa bin Dasmal, the Dubai Racing Club's popular Stewart, committee member and modest owner thought no differently until recently.

The Dubai based businessman who confesses himself to be 'crazy' about horses, attained instant celebrity when his horse Shaamit won the 1996 Epsom Derby, properly the most famous horse race in the world.

"Initially I was thrilled to have an entry in the Derby," Dasmal said "and them we then we were hoping for a good finish. Shaamits victory just swept me off my feet."

Khalifa Dasmal has never been one of the Emirates big owners and despite having bred and owned a Derby winner he has no plans to increase the size of his staple.

"But I must confess to being lucky with horses," says Dasmal who owns Hadeers Dance a multiple race winner in Dubai. "I only have a few horses but they all have done well."

He acquired Shaamits dam and sired her at His Highness Sheikh Ahmed's stud farm in England. Shaamit is the second of three foals from that crop.

Shaamit suffered an abscess in march and his training was badly held up and it was not until the legendary Lester Piggott rode him and advised Willie Haggas, Shaamits trainer, that the horse had the right 'feel' and would be right for the Derby that it was decided to go ahead and enter him for the race. It seems that the old magic has not deserted Lester as his "feel" was indeed just right with Shaamits coming in one and a quarter lengths ahead of the field.

It was a popular win here in Dubai as the Dasmals are a well liked sporting family in the Emirate. Khalifa is a former UAE tennis champion as is his son Salem. Both his daughters Leila and Ameena, and younger son Mohammed are champion show-jumpers, and his wife Lynn is the backbone of the Dubai Equestrian Centre.