Inside international horse racing paddocks with form expert Susan Trevelyan-Syke
Photo courtesy of Gulfnews (Copyright 2009)
Well Armed (USA) wins Dubai World Cup 2009 in record-breaking style, but more later.
Predictions were right. It did rain on and off during the DWC meet, but the crowd was joyful and dauntless.
Nor were the horses greatly inconvenienced by the 'going' except for those drawn high who lost their winning chances.
Presvis (GB) was one in the 1777M(a8.89F) Turf Dubai Duty Free.
Taking nothing away from either the jockey Ahmad Ajtebi or his brilliant charge Gladiatorus (USA), the other jockeys seemed to have gone to sleep during the race--except for Ryan Moore on Presvis.
Gladiatorus broke fast and galloped relentlessly to the winning post with his stunningly powerful extensions and proved to be a premiere graduate of Mubarak bin Shafya's training in the Dubai International Racing Carnival.
Almost as amazing was the last-to-second Presvis in an unbelieveable fast close winnowing through the pack near the rail.
Both horses were awesome.
With Presvis, it was like seeing his elegant father Sakhee (USA), record Arc de Triomphe winner and loser by a shortest nose to Tiznow (USA) in the 2001 Breeders' Cup, running again.
One thing everyone agreed on was that his number 16 draw cost him the race.
He will go on to the Hong Kong and Singapore Cups for trainer Luca Cumani with every chance to be a major international star.
No immediate plans for the talented Gladiatorus yet. (See Update.)
Youmzain (Ire) managed to find trouble again in the Dubai Sheema Classic at 2400M(a12F) Turf when fourth to Eastern Anthem (Ire).
Eastern Anthem's having a big race in him was a surprise to his former Godolphin connections, but it should not have been.
He won his last two races in the Carnival and is the son of Singspiel (Ire), 1997 DWC winner, and Kazzia (Ger) winner of both the 1000 Guineas and Oaks in the UK.
He is currently owned by the Crown Prince of Dubai.
Big City Man (USA), another graduate of the Carnival and Course and Distance veteran, was the upset winner of
the Dubai Golden Shaheen, 1200M(a6F) Dirt, with its $1,200,000 purse.
Jerry Barton was whooping and hollering his tough little horse in.
The horse almost lost to Robert Baffert's super-fast filly Indian Blessing (USA), but rallied when he saw her catching up.
She was another victim of a high draw.
Multiple Group 1 turf winner Marchand D'Or (Fr) never picked up on the compacted dirt course in the sprint.
The Dubai World Cup
Media and bettors believed that there was no superstar in the race like Invasor (Arg) or Curlin (USA) of previous years.
Nor did they think there were any standout horses in most of the races except the horses trained by South African Mike de Kock.
I have great repect for de Kock as a trainer, but most of his major horses are sold on from Coolmore. If Coolmore dropped them, I could not rate them.
None of his horses won on the night including second favourite Asiatic Boy (Arg) in the DWC who fizzled.
Favourite Albertus Maximus (USA) drifted in last-minute betting to Asiatic Boy.
Albertus Maximus pulled badly and sweated in the paddock and gave his jockey a keen angry ride, but was never allowed to threaten the winner.
All credit to the horse. His instincts were right in wanting to go after Well Armed (USA). Too bad his jockey and the other jockeys weren't as smart as he was.
The horse was later found to be injured. It would be interesting to know if he was injured fighting his jockey.
My view is that horses who exhibit that kind of right instinct, aggression and determination to win should be given their heads even if they blow their stamina.
I predicted that he would follow front-runner Well Armed and, as it turned out, all thirteen followed Well Armed to his record 14-length win in 2.01.01--nearly equaling Dubai Millennium's (USA)1.59.50 record.
He might have equalled that record if the course had been drier or more compact.
The ground did not matter that much to the tall, leggy six-year bay gelding.
He broke from the stall in a fast gallop and burnt off the opposition in a style remnicent of the late great Dubai Millennium (GB) who was Sheikh Mohammed's beloved heartbreaker.
The DWC was another race that was messy with sleeping jockeys and only unexpecteds like Gloria de Campeao (Brz) for Pascal Bary (Fr) and Paris Perfect (SAF) got in the race to place second and third respectively.
It did not matter. No horse was ever going to catch Well Armed who is son of dual Breeders' Cup Classic winner Tiznow. He will follow his father's racing route later this year.
Why anyone was surprised that Well Armed might win bewilders me. He was third last year in the DWC behind Curlin (USA) and was fourth in this year's betting.
SIDEBAR: Last year the DWC horses were very nervous walking in the saddling area just before the race except for Well Armed.
He alone, among the competitors, attracted me as an intelligent horse with a good sense of himself, gentlemanly, good looking and professional.
That was until charismatic Curlin appeared. I had travelled to Dubai just to see him and came away remembering Well Armed as well.
When Curlin entered the saddling area exuding contained power, a further nervous charge went through the already-skittish horses. Except for Well Armed.
The two eyed each other and got on with their walks--as respectful equals.
Well Armed has suffered two serious injuries in his career: his leg and broken pelvis. Vets recommended he be put down.
That he was able to come back to dessimate credible opposition and break records made by DWC greats is a testimony to his own exceptional talent and explains Curlin's respect.
I never forgot the buzz between the two very, very male horses and have followed Well Armed closely since then.
When he entered the DWC Winner's Circle, Well Armed was so nonchalant that he almost did a Jimmy Stewart "Aw shucks!".
What a pity that he is a gelding!
His gentle Irish trainer Eoin Harty started his career training juveniles for Sheikh Mohammed in the USA and was very emotional in winning the $3,600,000 purse for owner/breeders WinStar Farm LLC.
His major concern was that his horse was happy and healthy.
Jockey Aaron Gryder gave a textbook steering ride and never doubted his mount's ability to blow them all away.
Tiznow has his champion son.
Contrary to the fear that this would be a second-tier DWC, the international ratings will tell the tale as well as the open future for many of the brilliant competitors.
Posted March 29th, 2009
Royal Ascot--as predicted here, the Boss has brilliant Dubai jockey Ahmed Atjebi riding Gladiatorus USA (Silic Fr) opening day in the Queen Anne Stakes. He may not be an official second jockey to Frankie Dettori, but he is riding many horses for Godolphin. Jockey Ahmed Ajtebi--burning question following the DWC is how long will it take Sheikh Mohammed to offer the brilliant UAE apprentice jockey a retainer filling the empty slot left by Kieren McEvoy, who is riding for Godolphin in his native Australia, as second Godolphin jockey to Number 1 Frankie Dettori?
Gladiatorus is the world's highest ranked horse at 129.
Good News--Meydan Racecourse will open on schedule 28 January 2010 for the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival which will culminate with the Dubai World Cup 2010 on 27 March.
Prize money for the DWC Day will increase to US10 million to continue drawing the world's top horses.
Meydan means 'where people congregate and race'. They will be doing both in a fairyland setting for 60,000, a five-star hotel, marina, IMAX cinema, six haute cuisine restaurants and a museum.
The DWC will be 27 March 2010.
Posted June 16th 2009.
Love on the hoof--It is obvious in the beautiful Gulf News shot (column left) that, for the last furlong and a half of the DWC, jockey Aaron Gryder did no more than lovingly pat and stroke his Well Armed's neck all the way to the winning post. No whip needed.
Their rapport was so very deeply touching. It was everything racing can be. Man and horse with a love of the race and no whips needed.
DWC Race Rating--Surprisingly, the Racing Post handicapper rated Well Armed's performance at an average 128 and, in his wisdom, managed to incense his own form experts and me.
No 'mea culpa'--Simson Crisford,
racing manager for Sheikh Mohammed, excused dropping Eastern Anthem (Ire), Racing Post Rating 120, from Godolphin on his poor performance for Godolphin.
The horse was operated on for a breathing problem after leaving Godolphin. I guess they did not notice when he was with them.
No excuse was offered for dropping Gladiatorus (USA) or why he got better enough under another trainer to earn at high 127 RPR.
Missing was credit to the outstanding UAE trainer Mubarak bin Shafya for getting both horses healthy and to Group 1 level.
Crisford also abruptly dismissed any chance of jockey Ahmed Ajtebi joining Godolphin. "We don't need another jockey. We will continue to use Ted Durcan" (when they need another jockey).
The Boss might have another opinion.
Posted March 31st, 2009
Godolphin Acquisitions--Sheikh Mohammed snatched heroic Gladiatorus (USA) and Eastern Anthem (Ire) back from sons Monsour and Hamdan to compete at the highest Group 1 levels for Godolphin.
The Sheik's advisors need to do a serious 'mea culpa' for having dumped the two as 'no hopers' and trainer Mubarak bin Shafya all the credit for bringing them to their potential.
Gladiatorus will be aimed at Eurpean mile races and Eastern Anthem at 1m4f mid distance. The Arc de Triomphe is well within the latter's grasp as his is the son of Kazzia (Ger) who won both the Guineas and Oaks and Singspiel (Ire) who won the Dubai World Cup in 1997.
To the two who know: "I told you so."
How long will it take for the ruthless UK Home Office to treat this great sportsman fairly and let him race again in Britain?
Ajtebi's winning the Dubai Duty Free on Gladiatorus (USA) and the Dubai Sheema on Eastern Anthem (Ire), as well as placing third on Soy Libriano (Arg) in the UAE Derby with starkly contrasting tactical styles brought the biggest excitement to proud local racegoers.
This modest young man desperately wanted to win just one race at the final meet at Nad Al Sheba.
His second hope to win a DWC night race at the new Meydan Racecourse next year no longer sounds like whimsey.
He credits Sheikh Mohammed for seeing his potential as a thoroughbred race jockey when he was just a fourteen-year-old camel jockey.
Finally! The UAE has its own champion jockey proving that Bedouin are born to the saddle.
Endurance Trainers--How can one not pay tribute to the great UAE endurance trainers who have effortlessly made the transition to stars of Group/Grade international racing?
They have trained UAE horses and riders to win every amateur, FEI prize from regional champions, European champions to Olympic Gold Medal winners both as individuals and teams.
It is why the newly-reinstated CCI** Endurance Championships will integrate so well into the DWC weekend.
Outstanding endurance trainer Mubarak bin Shafya trained Gladiatorus, Soy Libriano and Eastern Anthem giving Ajtebi his best chances to make his dreams come true.
Godolphin's Trainer--Saeed bin Suroor was just a local policemen discovered by Sheikh Mohammed and given a chance to train for his global racing empire.
"Boys in Blue"--are back with a vengence after several dreary seasons.
Two Step Salsa (USA) and Gayego (USA) came first and second in the Godolphin Mile.
Regal Ransom (USA) and Desert Party (USA) duplicated that feat in the UAE Derby giving bin Suroor two three-year-old prospects for the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
Godolphin connections were surprised that Regal Ransom (out of Distorted Humor USA) beat his stablemate who is a son of Darley sire Street Cry (Ire).
Jockey Alan Garcia who rode Regal Ransom dominated his charge and rather brutally beat off and intimidated filly So Shiny (Arg).
He was luckless later in the feature DWC with his even stronger, angry favourite Albertus Maximus (USA) who ended in sixth place.
Garcia was no match for the imposing colt who was later found to have a serious off-fore injury. His trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said "This is a tough one to take."
Godolphin's Diabolical (USA) came third in the Dubai Golden Shaheen and Alexandros (GB) third in the Dubai Duty Free.
American-bred Horses--twelve USA horses competed in five of six races for Thoroughbreds. They included one champion, eight Grade 1 winners and six horses that have won at least US$1million.
American-bred Horses won five of the six thoroughbred races with Eastern Anthem the Irish exception.
Spectacular Fryvolous (Fr), trained in the Middle East by Brit Rod Simpson, won the Dubai Kahayla Classic for Arab horses.
Yet the overwhelming preponderance of the best horses in the DWC meet was American bred or sired.
"Wow!"--for the unexpected record-breaking winner of the DWC, Well Armed (USA), who is resting happily and munching grass.
No surprise that he will be aimed at the Breeders' Cup Classic instead of the Mile he won last year and trainer Eoin Harty promises to run him at Meydan next year if possible.
He is the son of "the monster" (according to Frankie Dettori) Tiznow (USA) who won two Breeders' Cups in 2000 and 2001.
