He was sired by Dubawi a top-class son of Dubai Millennium, whose wins included the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Prix Jacques Le Marois.

At stud, Dubawi has been a highly-successful breeding stallion, siring major winners such as Monterosso, Al Kazeem, Makfi, Lucky Nine and Night of Thunder.

[3] Cinnamon Bay was a granddaughter of Bahamian, whose other descendants have included Oasis Dream, Wemyss Bight (Irish Oaks), Beat Hollow and Zenda.

On 31 May, New Bay started the 3/1 second favourite in a fourteen-runner field for 178th running of the Prix du Jockey Club over 2100 metres at Chantilly.

Despite hanging to the right he accelerated into the lead 200 metres out and won by one and a half lengths from Highland Reel with War Dispatch taking third ahead of the outsider Piment Rouge.

[7] Khalid Abdulla's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe commented The great quality of the horse is his turn of foot.

[8] After a two and a half month break, New Bay returned in the Group Two Prix Guillume d'Ornano over 2000 metres on heavy ground at Deauville Racecourse on 15 August.

[12] In September, New Bay ventured beyond France for the first time when he was one of twelve horses to contest a strong renewal of the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown Racecourse.