DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Laurel River rallied to win the $12 million Dubai World Racing Cup by a record-setting 8 1/2 lengths at Meydan Racecourse.
Breaking from the far outside post in the field of 12, Laurel River and UAE Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea surged into the lead at the midway point of the 1 1/4-mile race.
Laurel River broke the old winning margin of six lengths set by Dubai Millennium in 2000 at Nad al Sheba. He covered the distance in 2:21.31 and paid $20.70.
“I´m still coming to terms with what´s happened. I think it´ll probably sink in in another day or two,” trainer Bhupat Seemar said according to AP. “It´s absolutely amazing.”
Laurel River was previously trained by Bob Baffert until owner Juddmonte Farms transferred the 6-year-old from the US to Dubai-based trainer Seemar last summer.
Laurel River was trained in California by Bob Baffert. Seemar worked as an assistant to Baffert years ago. Asked if he expects a call from his former mentor asking for the horse back, he said, “I’m sure there’s a smart comment on my phone.”
O’Shea said he hoped Laurel River, a confirmed sprinter-miler, could handle the added distance. And he said that feeling was reinforced when he hopped aboard for track work a week out from the race.
“I have never, ever worked a horse to feel like that,” he said. “And it was only a four-furlong workout. This is the best horse I’ve ever ridden.”
Defending champion Ushba Tesoro finished second and earned $2.4 million. Saudi Cup winner Senor Buscador from the US was third and earned $1.2 million.
Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Derma Sotogake finished sixth. Defunded was seventh. Newgate, trained by Baffert, was ninth. “My horse ran flat,” jockey Frankie Dettori said.
“When I came to Dubai in 2001, I didn’t think that 23 years later I’d be winning the world’s richest race,” O’Shea said, generously inflating the relative size of the purse. “To have any winner on this stage is marvelous.”
As to the simple race tactic, he said, “You can’t be half-hearted. You gotta go forward. If he stays, he stays. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t.”
Seemar stood like a statue while watching the race unfold and said afterward, “I was just hoping nobody was going to come from the back and catch him.”
Asked whether his renaissance might find Laurel River flowing back to California, Seemar said he would consult with the Juddmonte team but sounded a negative note.
“He’s had a long enough season even though it’s only three races,” the trainer said. “The good thing about Dubai is, the reason we have older horses and they last so long is that we can give them that break in the summer and freshen them up and bring them back. Unfortunately, a lot of places in the world, the only way you get a break if they have injuries.”
Bhupat Seemar, one of the most successful local trainers, added, “I thought I’d probably never have a horse to run in the Dubai World Cup, much less win it. It’s the best race in the world, in my opinion.”
Two Rivers Over, trained by Doug O’Neill, chased down Walk Of Stars and defending champion Isolate to clinch the $1 million Group 2 Godolphin Mile run over 1,600 metres.
Tower Of London, the mount of Ryan Moore, made the push in the final furlongs of the 3,200-metre affair to triumph in the $1 million Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup.
California Spangle, ridden by Brenton Avdulla, beat out Star of Mystery, the ride of the famed Italian jockey Frankie Dettori, to win the $1.5 million Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint.
Japan’s Forever Young clinched the $1million Group 2 UAE Derby, while record UAE Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea rode Tuz to victory in the $2 million Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, run over 1,200 metres.
Facteur Cheval, the ride of Maxime Guyon, won the $5 million Group 1 Dubai Turf ($5 million), run over a distance of 1,800 metres.
Godolphin’s Rebel’s Romance, ridden by Dubai World Cup winner William Buick, landed the $6 million Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic.
Discussion about this post