Mystic Guide | Coady Photography

There was plenty of drama in the preliminaries of the 25th running of the Dubai World Cup, but at the end it was the international favourite Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) who posted a straightforward and convincing success for Godolphin and trainer Mike Stidham. Finding cover in third on the run into the first turn, Mystic Guide had about two and a half lengths to make up on the front-running Hypothetical down the backstretch. Making up ground to race in tandem with Hypothetical rounding the final bend, Mystic Guide put that rival away at the top of the stretch and only needed to be kept up to task by Luis Saez to hold off Japanese contender Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), with Andre Fabre’s Magny Cours (Medaglia d’Oro) a fast-finishing third on his dirt debut.

Gosdens’ Day To Remember As Mishriff Lands Sheema Classic (TDN)

 

Mishriff | Coady Photography

Lord North | Coady Photography

By Emma Berry

Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) sealed a sensational half-hour for the new training partnership of John and Thady Gosden with a blistering four-length victory in the $4 million G1 Dubai Turf following the win of the stable’s Haqeeqy (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the Lincoln H., the feature race on the first day of the British turf season.

The 5-year-old Lord North races in the colours of the Sheikh Mohammed’s young son Sheikh Zayed, while, poignantly, Haqeeqy is owned by Sheikh Hissa, the daughter of Sheikh Hamdan, who died on Wednesday and was remembered in a moving light show after racing at Meydan.

The class act in the field on his British form last year, which included his impressive G1 Prince of Wales’s S. win at Royal Ascot, Lord North was switched off towards the rear of the field by Frankie Dettori, who was happy to bide his time as First Contact (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) made the running in company with Eqtiraan (GB) (Helmet {Aus}). 

With just three horses behind him on the turn, Dettori angled his mount wide turning into the straight and, showing no sign of rustiness in his first start since running fourth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf in November, Lord North switched on the after-burners 400 metres from home to surge three lengths clear of Japanese raider Vin De Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). 

The Marco Botti-trained Felix (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), recent runner-up in Lingfield’s G3 Winter Derby, finished with an eye-catching late thrust to take third ahead of Epic Hero (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) for Simon Crisford. The disappointment of the race was Godolphin’s Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who trailed home last having never really got involved. 

Overseeing the stable’s runners in Dubai, Thady Gosden, whose name was officially added to the training licence on Friday, said of last year’s G1 Prince of Wales’s S. winner, “We were always hoping he would run well as he was in brilliant form out here. But he definitely put that race to bed very well from pretty far back. We will take him home now and then maybe give him a break and target the race he won last year at Ascot.”

Dubai has been the scene for plenty of success for Dettori over the years, including three wins in the Dubai World Cup, and he duly performed his customary flying dismount for the reduced crowd at Meydan.

He said of his latest Group 1 victory, “It was a nice pace. I had plenty of horse and I know he stays really well. So I kicked early and he flew. I didn’t do much else after that, he did the rest.”

Lord North, who graduated from heritage handicaps in 2019 to top-flight company last year, was described by his jockey as a “handful in the early days”.

Dettori added, “So he got gelded and he is much more focused now. He is a horse for all the good races this year. I’m sure the Gosdens will have a plan.

“I’ve come back to where I started all those years ago. I got a magazine last night celebrating 25 years of the World Cup and I think I’ve ridden in most of them.”

Regrettably for Dettori, his mount for this year’s World Cup, Great Scot (GB), was scratched after getting loose on the way to post.

Pedigree notes
The Godolphin-bred Lord North is out of Najoum (Giant’s Causeway), a winner at Redcar and Kempton in the royal blue and a half-sister to the GI Blue Grass S. winner and stallion Bandini (Fusaichi Pegasus). Another half-sibling, the G3 Sweet Solera S. winner Discourse (Street Cry {Ire}), has also worked well with Dubawi,  producing two listed winners including Discursus (GB).

Lord North shares his grandam Divine Dixie (Dixieland Band) with the GI Ashland S. winner Out For a Spin (Hard Spun), while his third dam, the the GI Santa Anita Oaks victrix Hail Atlantis (Seattle Slew) produced the sire Stormy Atlantic from a mating with Giant’s Causeway’s sire Storm Cat.

This is also the family of the GI Summer S. winner Decorated Invader (Declaration of War), G1 Prix Saint-Alary runner-up Olendon (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) and the stakes-winning half-siblings Atlando (Ire) (Hernando {Fr}) and Incanto Dream (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). 

Najoum has a 4-year-old filly by Teofilo (Ire) named Divine Blessing (GB) in training with Alex Pantall, a 2-year-old colt by Postponed (Ire), and a yearling filly by New Approach (Ire). She was covered last year by Dubawi’s son Too Darn Hot (GB).

Zenden | Coady Photography

Triumph turned almost immediately to tragedy in Saturday’s G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen as the lightly regarded ZENDEN (h, 5, Fed Biz–You Laughin, by Sharp Humor) outbroke the field from gate 14, set a wicked pace and had five lengths on his rivals at the wire, only to take a bad step just a few strides later, dislodging jockey Antonio Fresu, with what appeared to be a catastrophic injury. Better than 50-1 on the international tote, the Florida-based sprinter shot straight into stride from the widest barrier and set a fast pace while being chased by Good Effort (Ire) (Shamardal), himself a very quick horse from the stalls. Slipped some rein entering the stretch, Zenden quickly opened up and the result was never in doubt as he stopped the timer in 1:09.01, easily a stakes record for the Shaheen at Meydan. Lifetime Record: 15-6-3-0. O-LLP Performance Horse LLC; B-Brent & Beth Harris (KY); T-Carlos David.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN SPONSORED BY GULF NEWS-G1, $1,500,000, Meydan, 3-27, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:09.01, fs.
1–ZENDEN, 126, h, 5, by Fed Biz
1st Dam: You Laughin, by Sharp Humor
2nd Dam: Livermore Leslie, by Mt. Livermore
3rd Dam: Whitesburg Express, by Whitesburg
1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. ($7,500 Ylg ’17 KEESEP;
$47,000 2yo ’18 OBSOPN). O-LLP Performance Horse, LLC;
B-Brent & Beth Harris (KY); T-Carlos A. David; J-Antonio Fresu.
$870,000. Lifetime Record: MSW & MGSP-US, 15-6-3-0,
$1,131,760. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for
   the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Red Le Zele (Jpn), 126, h, 5, Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)–French Noir
(Jpn), by French Deputy. O-Tokyo Horse Racing Co Ltd;
B-Shadai Farm (JPN); T-Takayuki Yasuda. $300,000.
3–Canvassed (Ire), 126, g, 6, Shamardal–Painter’s Pride (Fr), by
Dansili (GB). (350,000gns Ylg ’16 TATOCT). O-Sheikh
Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum; B-Dayton Investments
(Breeding) Ltd; T-Doug Watson. $150,000.
Margins: 3 1/4, 2 3/4, 2HF.
Also Ran: Wildman Jack, Copano Kicking, Al Tariq (Fr), Switzerland, Yaupon, Premier Star, Jalen Journey, Justin (Jpn), Matera Sky, Good Effort (Ire). Scratched: Important Mission.
Click for the Racing Post chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.

Rebel’s Romance Romps In UAE Derby (TDN)

 

Rebel’s Romance | Coady Photography

Let go at overlaid odds coming off a first career defeat when fourth to Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) in the Saudi Derby in Riyadh Feb. 20, Godolphin homebred REBEL’S ROMANCE (IRE) (g, 3, Dubawi {Ire}–Minidress {GB}, by Street Cry {Ire}) gave his sire yet another big-race winner on Dubai World Cup night, streaking away to win the G2 UAE Derby by about five lengths. The victory was worth 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Winner of the first three starts of his career, including a head defeat of Mouheeb (Flatter) when making his dirt debut in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Jan. 14, Rebel’s Romance loomed up into contention on the turn, was set alight by William Buick three deep at the 400-metre marker and ran right past the previously undefeated Panadol (Flatter) to post a facile success. Dubawi was also responsible for 2015 UAE Derby hero Mubtaahij (Ire). It was a ninth UAE Derby victory for Godolphin, but a first for trainer Charlie Appleby. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0. O/B-Godolphin; T-Charlie Appleby.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
UAE DERBY SPONSORED BY EMIRATES NBD-G2, $750,000, Meydan, 3-27, 3yo, 9 1/2f, 1:56.28, fs.
1–REBEL’S ROMANCE (IRE), 121, g, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Minidress (GB) (SP-Eng), by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Short Skirt (GB), by Diktat (GB)
3rd Dam: Much Too Risky (GB), by Bustino (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (IRE);
T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. $435,000. Lifetime Record:
5-4-0-0, $474,879. *1/2 to Petticoat (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), SP-
Ire. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
   Rating: A.
2–Panadol, 121, c, 3, Flatter–Arradoul, by Dixieland Band.
($180,000 2yo ’20 OBSJUN). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed
Al Maktoum; B-Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman (NY);
T-Salem bin Ghadayer. $150,000.
3–New Treasure (Ire), 121, g, 3, New Approach (Ire)–
Maoineach, by Congaree. (90,000gns HRA ’20 TATAUT).
O-Prince Faisal bin Khaled; B-J S Bolger (IRE); T-John Gosden.
$75,000.
Margins: 5HF, 1 3/4, HD.
Also Ran: Takeru Pegasus (Jpn), Mouheeb, France Go De Ina, Speight’spercomete, El Patriota (Uru), Mnasek, Pink Kamehameha (Jpn), Ambivalent, Lugamo, Fire Group, Soft Whisper (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.

 

Al Quoz Goes To America’s Extravagant Kid (TDN)

 

Extravagant Kid | Coady Photography

The Brendan Walsh-trained Extravagant Kid (Kiss The Kid) picked up his first graded stakes win in his 50th career start in Saturday’s G1 Al Quoz Sprint. Racing in the middle of the group that broke off down the centre of the track and eventually joined with the stand’s side group, Extravagant Kid was put to a drive by Ryan Moore passing the 400 metre mark. He overtook the pacesetting Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) while Acklam Express (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) put in a valiant rally at the head of the small inside rail group, but Extravagant Kid proved too powerful at the finish, prevailing by a half length over Final Song (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) with Acklam Express grabbing third. Heavily favoured Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) came in midpack.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
AL QUOZ SPRINT SPONSORED BY AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS-G1, $1,000,000, Meydan, 3-27, 3yo/up, 6fT, 1:09.26, gd.
1–EXTRAVAGANT KID, 131, g, 8, by Kiss the Kid
1st Dam: Pretty Extravagant, by With Distinction
2nd Dam: Dancing Dawn, by Seattle Dancer
3rd Dam: Kathy W., by Grey Dawn II (Fr)
1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-DARRS, Inc.; B-Vicino
Racing Stable (FL); T-Brendan P. Walsh; J-Ryan Moore.
$580,000. Lifetime Record: MSW & MGSP-US, GISP-Can,
50-15-16-6, $1,581,610. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Final Song (Ire), 127, f, 4, Dark Angel (Ire)–Rahiyah, by Rahy.
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Saeed bin Suroor. $200,000.
3–Acklam Express (Ire), 122, g, 3, Mehmas (Ire)–York Express
(GB), by Vale of York (Ire). (€26,000 Ylg ’19 GOFSPT; 55,000gns
RNA HRA ’20 TAAUT). O-MPS Racing and M B Spence; B-Mr R
Ryan (IRE); T-Nigel Tinkler. $100,000
Margins: HF, NK, 1 1/4.
Also Ran: Equilateral (GB), Motafaawit (Ire), True Valour (Ire), Royal Crusade (GB), Man of Promise, Space Blues (Ire), Cowan, Speak In Colours (GB), Moss Gill (Ire), Khaadem (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.

 

Subjectivist Romps To Gold Cup Glory (TDN)

 

Subjectivist | Coady Photography

By Emma Berry

Dr Jim Walker’s Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) threw down a notable marker for some of the top staying contests in Europe this summer when running his rivals ragged to win the G2 Dubai Gold Cup by 5 3/4 lengths  in a new track record time of 3:17.77.

Taking his first ride at Meydan, Joe Fanning had the Mark Johnston-trained 4-year-old handy throughout, positioned just off the early leader For The Top (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Arg}) in the initial stages before making his intentions clear ahead of the final bend. Easing Subjectivist to the lead, Fanning asked him to stretch clear of his rivals, laying down a challenge which none could answer as the leader quickly put plenty daylight between himself and the chasing pack around the turn. Staying on resolutely over the two miles, Subjectivist’s advantage only increased down the straight as he galloped home to seal a dominant victory.

Walderbe (Ger) (Maxios {GB}), trained by Ralf Rohne in Germany, was runner-up under Mickaelle Michel, finishing a head in front of Away He Goes ((Ire) (Farhh {GB}). Godolphin’s Secret Advisor (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) had been sent off as favourite under William Buick but could never land a blow, eventually clinching fourth from Team Valor’s Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}).

The youngest runner of the field, Subjectivist was making his first start since winning the G1 Prix Royal-Oak at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 25.

“He’s a good horse and there was a bit of juice in that ground, which suited him,” said Joe Fanning. “He settled well and I was always going so easy before the turn in. He stays very well. I rode him out here yesterday and thought the ground was good. I think he’ll go on any surface. He’s a good horse and has loads of ability and I think he’s a better horse this year.”

The jockey added that it was “100 per cent” worth having to spend 10 days in hotel quarantine on his return to the UK.

Mark Johnston, who made the trip to Dubai with his wife Deirdre, almost certainly feels the same after cheering home his first winner on World Cup night for more than two decades. 

“The horses have all run well here but frankly we haven’t been bringing the right horses, it’s a simple as that,” said Britain’s winning most trainer. “So the is the first time I’ve come here thinking surely this horse is the one they all have to beat. He was a Group 1 winner in his last outing and he didn’t have to improve on that, he just had to run up to his best.”

Johnston continued, “There were big doubts about the ground because he had won on from good ground to heavy ground—his Group 1 came on heavy ground—but he hasn’t run on anything  faster than that. Joe Fanning, who has not ridden here before, was fascinated by the track when he went out on it yesterday. I walked on the track and I don’t think I’ve seen a turf track in the world in better condition than this. So I was feeling that we had all our ducks in a row—there was no reason why he shouldn’t perform up to his best on this, and he has done.”

Looking ahead to a top-class staying campaign back in Europe, Johnston added, “I never belittle the success of Stradivarius (Ire). We’ve come second to Stradivarius so many times with Dee Ex Bee (GB) and Nayef Road (Ire)—he’s become a bit of a nemesis for us. But this year, going into 2021, we have this horse and we have his three-parts brother Sir Ron Priestley (GB), so we have some great ammunition to take on Stradivarius with.”

Pedigree notes
Inbred 3×3 to Danehill, Subjectivist is a graduate of Barry and Susan Hearn’s Mascalls Stud and is the third foal of the mile maiden winner and listed-placed Reckoning (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The 12-year-old mare is a grand-daughter of Aspirationl (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), herself a full-sister to leading National Hunt sire Sholokhov (Ire) and half-sister to the dam of another, Soldier Of Fortune (Ire). 

All three of the mare’s winners are trained by Johnston in Yorkshire and they have all gained black type. As mentioned above, Sir Ron Priestley (GB), by another son of Galileo (Ire), Australia (GB), is now five and was runner-up to Logician (GB) in the St Leger after winning five races at three, including the G3 March S. Their 3-year-old half-sister Alba Rose (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) is also owned by Dr Walker and was third in the G2 Rockfel S. having won a seven-furlong novice race at Thirsk last season. She holds an entry for the Irish Oaks. 

Reckoning’s 2-year-old filly by Ulysses (Ire) was a vendor buy-back at 140,000gns at Tattersalls last October. The mare also has a yearling colt by Roaring Lion and was covered last year by Too Darn Hot (GB).

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
DUBAI GOLD CUP SPONSORED BY AL TAYER MOTORS-G2, $750,000, Meydan, 3-27, 3yo/up, 16fT, 3:17.77, gd.
1–SUBJECTIVIST (GB), 121, c, 4, by Teofilo (Ire)
                1st Dam: Reckoning (Ire) (MSP-Eng),
                                by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Great Hope (Ire), by Halling
                3rd Dam: Aspiration (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells
(62,000gns Ylg ’18 TAOCT). O-Dr J Walker; B-Mascalls Stud
(GB); T-Mark Johnston; J-Joe Fanning. $435,000. Lifetime
Record: GSW-Eng, G1SP-Fr, 16-5-4-2, €710,714. *1/2 to Sir
Ron Priestley (GB) (Australia {GB}), GSW & G1SP-Eng,
$414,683; and Alba Rose (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), GSP-Eng.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Walderbe (Ger), 127, h, 5, Maxios (GB)–Waldfee (Ger), by Dai
Jin (GB). (€17,000 Ylg ’17 BBAOCT). O-Stall Dusseldorf Fighters;
B-Niels Ohlig (GER); T-Ralf Rohne. $150,000.
3–Away He Goes (Ire), 127, g, 5, Farhh (GB)–Island Babe, by
Kingmambo. (75,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT). O-Khalifa Saeed
Sulaiman;
B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Ismail Mohammed. $75,000.
Margins: 5 3/4, HD, 3 1/4.
Also Ran: Secret Advisor (Fr), Spanish Mission, Global Heat (Ire), Royal Marine (Ire), Red Verdon, Mekong (GB), For the Top (Arg), Volcanic Sky (GB).
Click for the Racing Post chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.