Victory in the Group 1 US$5m Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, for Trade Storm, who passed through a low-key Ascot bloodstock sale unsold at 1,500gns as an end-of-season yearling, would be the ultimate rags-to-riches story, with a dash of tragedy thrown in for good measure.

The five-year-old entire will be carrying the predominantly maroon colours of Qatar Racing for the first time, having been sold by the Universal Racing syndicate.

The sale came about following the death of Trade Storm’s breeder and Universal Racing’s main shareholder Graham Lucas within hours of his pride and joy winning the Group 2 Zabeel Mile, where he completed a notably progressive spell of two wins from three outings at the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Simcock recalled: “Graham was diagnosed with cancer about eight months ago, and unfortunately it was progressive. He was planning to travel to Dubai when Trade Storm won for the first time in February but he took a turn for the worse.

“Fortunately he was alive when the Zabeel Mile was run and conscious when the syndicate went to see him to tell him he had won. A few hours later he died.

“It was very sad, but winning a Group race was the one thing he wanted and it happened.”

Trade Storm, who joined Simcock at the end of his two-year-old season, had been nominated for last year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival but plans changed and his racing career continued on an upward curve in England, as the Simcock yard gradually discovered the secret to his success.

The trainer’s wife, Jennie explained: “It was a matter of finding the key to him, which was that fast ground is very much in his favour.

“Everything fell into place in a major handicap at York in August, but the following month it fell apart at Doncaster when it rained on the morning of the race.”

With the weather worsening in Britain, Trade Storm did not run again last season, and in November the Dubai World Cup Carnival plan was hatched.

Jennie Simcock said: “After the lay-off, we were not expecting too much on his first run in Dubai, where we knew he would need the outing, and said to the syndicate that they should wait until his second and third runs before making the trip.

“Trade Storm has always been visually impressive and works well, but in the event he has improved beyond our imagination.
“We will not know for certain whether he can continue improving until Saturday, but it’s his big day.

“He is the first horse we have trained for Qatar Racing, so Saturday is important in that respect. Most of all, though, this race is for Graham Lucas.”

Trade Storm, who won twice in the Dubai World Cup Carnival will run in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free on Dubai World Cup day. Copyright: Dubai Racing Club