Charlie Appleby's Nabati, ridden by William Buick, won the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury by a short head over Andrew Balding's Jolivette, reversing form with Gimcrack hero Arapaho Gold who finished third. The Group Two race served as a tribute to the late Ian Balding, former trainer at Kingsclere. Buick, who began his career at Kingsclere aged 12, dedicated the victory to Balding's memory. "I woke up this morning and thought this lad is running back a bit quick, but it's in honour of Ian Balding so I better do my best," Buick said.

The win gave Appleby and Buick back-to-back Mill Reef successes after Words Of Truth triumphed in 2023. Andrew Balding praised Jolivette's brave effort: "She's a talented filly and goes on any ground and she's a bit of a star." Meanwhile, apprentice Jack Nicholls, 20, claimed his first Group win aboard Miss Yechance in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at 12-1 for trainer Karl Burke, continuing a family legacy of sprinting success from his father Adrian and late grandfather Dandy.