Imperial Emperor fuels syndicate's Dubai World Cup dreams
There almost wasn't space on the presentation stage for the 14 delighted owners of Imperial Emperor after Bhupat Seemar's gelding stormed home in the G2 Al Maktoum Classic (sponsored by Emirates Airline) and gained entry to the G1 Dubai World Cup.
The gelding, an Dh 300,000 Racing In Dubai Sale purchase in March, was favourite for the Dh 1.7million contest but had to deal with draw 15 for the 2000 metres.
Jockey Tadhg O'Shea was able to secure a spot to the outside of the leaders and was in the perfect position from which to strike in the straight, leading off the final turn and storming home by eight and a half lengths from stablemate Artorius and Korean raider Global Hit, who ran a superb race from the front.
'Wow, what a horse!' said Ryan Tongue, Director of British-based syndicate Deva Racing. 'This horse didn't owe us anything before tonight, we just wanted him to come home safe.
'This a dream come true. I can't believe we're in the Dubai World Cup!'
O'Shea added: 'This horse is on the up. I've only thrown my leg over him three times and I've won all three. That was probably a career best for him. It was a true run race and there was no hiding place out there. He's very, very genuine.'
As a four-time Group 1 winner, Nations Pride was rightly sent off favourite for the G2 Singspiel Stakes (sponsored by Emirates Airline) and he didn't let his supporters down.
The six-year-old arrived off the back of defeats in the G2 Bahrain Trophy and G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf but put those well in the past. Ridden by William Buick, he was settled close to the pace in the 1800metre turf contest and pushed into the lead off the home turn. However, he had to find plenty to see off the determined Holloway Boy, second, and First Conquest, third, by a one and a quarter lengths and three lengths.
'We came here confident that he was where he needed to be to win this race,' said trainer Charlie Appleby. 'He had valid excuses for his last two defeats as he's only ever run twice right handed around Bahrain and been beaten twice. Then at Gulfstream he had a torrid shipping, it took a long time to get there and conditions weren't really suitable.
'Hopefully there might be a bit of improvement to come and we'll look towards World Cup night and the Dubai Turf. But if Romantic Warrior turns up we're all running for place money!'
Buick and Appleby celebrated a second Group success on the night when Silver Knott charged home in the G2 Dubai City of Gold (sponsored by Emirates Airline).
The five-year-old had been campaigned at Group 1 level in the US and is likely to head back there later this season. He made no mistake here, leading all the way and beating Passion And Glory by two lengths, with British challenger See Hector third.
'Last season he spent most of the year in the States and we learned that he is very effective from the front,' said Buick. 'He is very professional and he has a good level of ability to go with it. I was delighted with that and hopefully he can improve from it."
The presence of Japanese challenger American Stage made the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal (sponsored by Emirates.com) look a little tougher for Tuz than his three previous races this season, but no matter – he trounced them anyway.
Seemar's sprinting star also made history, becoming the first horse to sweep the Listed Garhoud Sprint, G3 Dubawi Stakes, G3 Al Shindagha Sprint and this race all in one season.
He did it in his usual style, contributing to blistering fractions up front, especially when taken on by Al Shibli, but was still much too good, bolting up by five lengths from American Stage, with Eastern World, winner of this race in 2022, in third.
'He's a streetfighter, he just keeps coming back – he's like Muhammad Ali!' said Seemar. 'He's made history by becoming the first horse to win all the big dirt sprints.
'There will be some good sprinters here for the Dubai Golden Shaheen, but we have home turf.'
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