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28 March 2024

Hamdan presents Dubai World Cup to owner of California Chrome

Published
By Wam & Agencies

In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, presented the Dh250,000 gold cup to Lucky Pulpit, owner of California Chrome, which won the richest horse race in the world - the $10 million Dubai World Cup at the 21st edition of the race held at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday.

Also present was Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.

Sheikh Hamdan congratulated the owner on the dominant, track-record setting performance in the 2000 metre race. He also honoured trainer Art Sherman and jockey Victor Espinoza.

The winner's share of $6 million pushed California Chrome's career earnings to $12,532,650, eclipsing 2008 Dubai World Cup winner Curlin ($10,501,800) as the US all-time leading money earner.

Race 9: $10 million Dubai World Cup (Group 1) 2,000m (Dirt) sponsored by Emirates Airline

California Chrome (USA) avenged last year's second place performance by winning the $10 million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates.

In the process, he became the all-time leading money earner in North American racing history.

The winner's share of $6 million pushed California Chrome's career earnings to $12,532,650, eclipsing 2008 Dubai World Cup winner Curlin ($10,501,800) as the US all-time leading money earner.

California Chrome took over from pacesetter Mshawish (USA) at the top of the stretch and carried on to a three and three-quarter-length victory, stopping the timer in a track record time of 2:01.83.

The five-year-old son of Lucky Pulpit established a clear stalking position but, while three-wide, the saddle slipped and made jockey Victor Espinoza's job a bit more tricky.

"I was just trying to keep my balance and not move my body," Espinoza said. "I wasn't that concerned about it, I just kept looking forward and thinking 'where's the wire'. It was not coming fast enough."

Mubtaahij, the former UAE Derby winner finished second, a neck in front of the late closing Hoppertunity (USA).

"Today it proves how he can run when he's 100 per cent," said Espinoza, who scored his first Dubai World Cup win in his fourth try.

"Last year he (California Chrome) finished second and it was not very fun. My goal after winning the Triple Crown was to win the Dubai World Cup and we did it."

"He is a once in a lifetime horse," trainer Art Sherman said. "It (all-time leading US earner) was a goal in the back of my mind. You think of all the great trainers in the history of this game and you really appreciate that it happened to us."

California Chrome has won the $10 million Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race, scorching the Meydan track in a record time of 2:01.83.

Mubtaahij took second place and Hoppertunity came third of the 12 runners in the 2,000-metre contest, the world's richest horse race. 

Second to Prince  Bishop last year, Chrome finally struck gold with a brilliant run spurred on by Victor Espinoza.

Favourite California Chrome added the world's most lucrative race to his previous Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes victories.

His trainer Art Sherman predicted that he was five lengths better this year.

Sherman said: “When he asked him to run, he looked like a real pro. He’s a great horse. What can you say? I’ve got tears in my eyes. It’s the dream of a lifetime for me.”

He was proved right as Victor Espinoza led the 7/4 favourite to victory by five lengths to go one better than 12 months ago.

Chrome lived up to his billing, overcoming a slipping saddle with a commanding race in the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup.

Espinoza said: “He’s done everything right, perfect. Everything went well, I sat right next to the leaders but turning for home, I couldn’t wait any longer.

“I felt like the saddle is slipping back further and further, so I didn’t want to take any chances. I knew it (the saddle) was really far back but I was not paying attention. I just wanted to get to the wire. And then when I get to the wire I look and the saddle is all the way to the back end."

Espinoza encouraged his charge forward from the starting gates and California Chrome took up a handy position on the outside, lying third to Mshawish and Special Fighter.

The order was held until the turn for home when Christophe Soumillon eyed a gap on the rails to propel Mubtaahij into.

California Chrome had the move covered on the outside, however, and was soon in front and in command.

Espinoza has had some good rides in recent years.

The Mexican was on board American Pharoah as the colt became the first horse to win the 'Grand Slam' of US racing in 2015, and California Chrome started at 15/8 alongside Twisted, who was priced at 2/1 as late as when the horses were at the post.

Jockey William Buick was looking for back-to-back World Cups after his triumph on Prince Bishop, but riding Twisted for Godolphin, he came up well short after the one mile and two furlongs on the dirt.

Instead the night belonged to California Chrome, who just missed out on the race record time set by African Story in 2014, while becoming the 10th American victor since the inaugural staging in 1996.

Hoppertunity (25/1) just pipped Irish hope Special Fighter to take the last place in third.

Race 8 at 8.20pm: $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) 2,410m (Turf) sponsored by Longines

King George and Prix Foy winner Postponed produce a classy run to give Roger Varian a winner on Dubai World Cup night with Andrea Atzeni aboard.

The 2015 King George winner had advertised his claims when landing his dress rehearsal in the Dubai City of Gold, on his debut for Roger Varian, three weeks ago and followed up in similarly taking fashion.

Highland Reel was sent to the front by Ryan Moore from the start, pursued by One And Only and Gailo Chop.

Atzeni was happy to settle Postponed in mid-division through the early stages but had closed to third with 1,000 metres to run.

Highland Reel still had the advantage turning in but Postponed was moving ominously well and soon quickened to lead.

Duramente, bidding to give Japan a third success on the day, gave chase but the winner was not slowing and scored in emphatic style.

It was still a fine effort from the runner up who raced bare-footed on his right-side fore after spreading a plate in the preliminaries.

Last Impact gave Japan a clean sweep of the minor placings when running into third.

Roger Varian thanked owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid for the opportunity to train Postponed after his success in the Dubai Sheema Classic.

The five-year-old was moved from fellow Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani’s yard last season.

"I'd like to thank Sheikh Mohammed Obaid and the team at home," he said.

"He's a very good horse, he had already won a King George when we got him, but he has thrived out here.

"The team out here with him did a great job, as did the team at home before that, so big credit goes to my staff.

"The big mile-and-a-half races will be for him, but I'll make a plan with the owner when we get home."

Race 7: $6 million Dubai Turf (Group 1) 1,800m (Turf) sponsored by DP World

Japan got their second winner in the 21st renewal of Dubai World Cup night as Real Steel with Ryan Moore aboard won the $6 million Dubai Turf from British raider Euro Charline.

It is a third Dubai Turf for Japan after Just A Way and Admire Moon.

Ryan Moore overcame the widest draw in stall 14 on Real Steel to give Japan their second win on the day in the DP World Dubai Turf as Tryster and Intilaaq, failed to make their move.

Moore took up a position halfway down the field and was positioned in fourth as Very Special led into the home turn.

Real Steel burst into the front 300 metres out and finished strongly to the line as Euro Charline gave chase.

Intilaaq raced in mid-division but failed to pick up when the race began in earnest.

Tryster took up his customary position in rear and failed to gain ground being14 lengths off the lead with 800 metres to run.

He attacked in the straight but lacked but never threatened to mount a challenge, doing well to take third.

Yoshito Yahagi, trainer of Real Steel, winner of the Dubai Turf, said: "I was a little concerned about our draw on the outside and we were unable to get inside, but I was still confident we could win.

"Ryan (Moore)  is for me the number one jockey in the world and we are very fortunate to have him on our side."

Race 6: $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (Group 1) 1,200m (Dirt) sponsored by Gulf News

Paul Hanagan spurred British raider Muarrab who held on strongly to win by a neck from X Y Jet to provide a double on Dubai World Cup night for owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.

Muarrab and X Y Jet staged a thrilling duel for the Dubai Golden Shaheen with the former edging to score for local handler Musabah Al Muhairi and Paul Hanagan.

The Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned gelding was soon to the fore on the outside as X Y Jet set the tempo.

Muarrab and X Y Jet had the others on the stretch 800 metres out with the race soon between the pair.

A titanic tussle ensued down the finishing straight and it was only late on that Muarrab got the better of his US rival.

Hanagan said of Muarrab: “He’s such a star this horse.

“He’s very laid back. When them gates open he’s very quick but they went hard up front.

"It suited him just to sit, a length down on them,  and he picked them up good. But the other horse was very hard to pass.

“Every time I went to go ahead in front he kept battling back, but this lad is so genuine."

Race 5: $1 million Al Quoz Sprint (Group 1) 1,000m (Turf)

Buffering ridden by Damian Browne burst on the outside to win the Al Quoz Sprint for Australia.

Buffering showed blistering speed throughout to score a famous win for Australia in the 1,000 sprint.

The winner was quick into his stride and forced the pace with the Hong Kong speedster Peniaphobia.

Ertijaal was close enough and the three had it between them entering the later stages.

Buffering kept on the strongest on the stands’ side of the trio, with Ertijaal, on the far side, taking second from Peniaphobia.

The win was Buffering’s seventh at group one level and trainer Robert Heathcote could now consider a trip to Royal Ascot this summer for the eight-year-old.

Winning jockey Damian Browne said: "I knew at the 300 (metre pole) he had a good kick. We're proud to be here representing Australia - to come and get the money means a lot to us."

Trainer Robert Heathcote felt vindicated by the success of Buffering having made no secret of the high regard in which he holds the eight-year-old.

He said: "Right through his life we've often said if Black Caviar and Hay List and the likes weren't around what would he have achieved, but he's doing it now."

Race 4: $2 million UAE Derby (Group 2) 1,900m (Dirt) sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group

 

Lani secured a place in the Kentucky Derby after becoming the first Japanese winner of the UAE Derby under Yutaka Take for trainer Matsunaga beating favourite Polar River.

The winner denied the heavily touted Polar River who suffered a rough passage.

 

 

Vale Dori made the early pace before Yu Change was came around the outside to lead with 1,000 metres to go.

 

Yutaka Take challenged Yu Change off the home turn as Pat Dobbs worked to find racing room for Polar River.

Dobbs, after failing to thread his way between runners, switched outside as Lani gradually wore down Yu Change.

Polar River followed him through into second, beaten three-quarters of a length, with Yu Change just a neck back in third.

Dobbs said of the beaten favourite: "It's a shame, that's the first time she's been amongst horses and she was very green."

Race 3: $1 million Dubai Gold Cup (Group 2) 3,200m (Turf) sponsored by Al Tayer Motors

Vazirabad (De Royer Dupre-Soumillon) lands the Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors for France winning by a neck from Big Orange.

Vazirabad developed into one of the leading stayers in France last autumn and confirmed himself a big force in the division with victory in the Al Tayer Motors Dubai Gold Cup.

He appeared to be on his back legs as the gates opened and conceded his rivals a start, with Christophe Soumillon seemingly unfazed and settling the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained gelding in rear.

Certerach and Big Orange led the way and were several lengths clear of the pack down the back with the winner continuing to race closer to last than first.  

Vazirabad and Haafaguinea were in pursuit though and, while the latter was unable to carry his effort through, Vazirabad knuckled down well to his rider’s urgings to run Big Orange down, scoring by a neck.

Haafaguinea just held on for third from Suegioo.

Trainer Michael Bell was delighted with Big Orange’s second in the Dubai Gold Cup.

He said: "The winner (Vazirabad) is very good but he had to pull out all the stops to beat us.

"I'm hugely proud, it was a very good run."

Jockey Jamie Spencer added: "I had a perfect trip and the horse has given his all. No complaints, we were beaten by a good horse."

Race 2: $1 million Godolphin Mile (Group 2) 1,600m (Dirt) sponsored by Meydan Sobha

One Man Band (Watson-Hitchcott) gives trainer Doug Watson a a 1-2-3 in Godolphin Mile.

One Man Band grabbed the early lead with Sam Hitchcott aboard to leada one-two-three for US expatriate trainer Doug Watson in the Meydan Sobha Godolphin Mile, with Faulkner just shading Cool Cowboy for second.

Marking proved to be a disappointment though taking up a good position in third off the early pace set by One Man Band but struggled to hold his position before the home turn to finish fourth.

One Man Band moved several lengths clear winning by four and three-quarter lengths. 

Winning jockey Hitchcott said: “He jumped and travelled so good. He gets everybody at it when it matters and then you can fill him up at that point. He kicks off the turn and just goes again."

"It's a great feeling, we've a great team at home and some nice horses," said Doug Watson, the UAE champion trainer for the fourth time, who not only saddled his first winner on World Cup night with the success of One Man Band.

"When he (One Man Band) turned in and Cool Cowboy wasn't catching I knew he'd won."

Race1: $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1) Purebred Arabians 2,000m (Dirt)

Mathmoon (Al Muhairi-O'Neill) wins the Dubai Kahayla Classic for Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.

Handassa was the pre-race favourite but AF Mathmoon caused the first upset in the 21st renewal of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan.

Thakif made the early running but ran out of steam in the final 200 metres, ending up on the stands’ rail.

Handassa finished an unlikely fourth, beaten just over two lengths.

Musabah Al Muhairi could barely believe that AF Mathmoon would win the Dubai Kahayla Classic.

"When the race started he jumped well and stayed in a good position," the trainer said.

"I thought he'd be second or third. In the last 400 meters I thought he'd be second, but then the other horse stopped.

"This horse is locally bred, so it is very special."

Thakif was all set to win but Silvestre De Sousa's mount hung badly right in the dying stages.