In an unusual display of public criticism, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum recently blamed jockey Frankie Dettori for losses aboard Ekraar in the Hong Kong Vase (HK-G1) and Sakhee in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). His most direct comments concerned Dettori's ride aboard Ekraar, a four-year-old son of Red Ransom out of champion Sacahuista, in Sunday's Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin racecourse.

Dettori opened up a three-length lead with less than a furlong remaining but was caught in the final strides of the 1 ½-mile event and lost by a nose to Japan's Stay Gold and jockey Yutaka Take.

"Dettori didn't handle the horse properly in the final meters," Sheikh Hamdan told reporters in Dubai on Wednesday, the Khaleej Times reports.

Sheikh Hamdan also blamed Dettori for Sakhee's narrow defeat at the hands of Tiznow in the $4-million Classic on October 27 at Belmont Park. Moving up from the middle of the field on the far turn, Sakhee and Dettori grabbed a half-length lead from Tiznow after swinging into the stretch in the colt's first start on dirt. However, Tiznow battled back and Sakhee lost by a nose at the wire.

Sheikh Hamdan said both colts would be pointed toward next year's rounds of the Maktoum Challenge prior to starts on the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) program. Sakhee figures to run in the $6-million World Cup on dirt, while Ekraar could be pointed toward the $2-million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1).