by K.T. Donovan

Graham and Anita Motion arrived in Dubai on Tuesday night and experienced a nightmare shared by many on their flight—their luggage was nowhere to be found.

On Wednesday morning, they went to Nad al Sheba racecourse to watch multiple Grade 1 winner Better Talk Now school in the gate and gallop on turf in preparation for a planned start in the $5-million Nakheel Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1). Still feeling off balance from the long flight, time zone difference, and uncertainty caused by not having their bags, the Motions decided to try to relax by the pool, but then realized that they had no swimsuits. Shopping proved fruitless. 

“We’re so happy to be here, we want to make the best of it,” Anita Motion said.

Fortunately, the Motions luck changed later in the day.

“We got our clothes half an hour before we had to leave for the draw,” Graham Motion said.

Photographer Mike Marten, who was on the same flight as the Motions, was still looking for his essentials later that same evening.

“I have my cameras—those always come carry-on,” he said. “What are you going to do?”

K.T. Donovan is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer