Cover image courtesy of Dubai Racing Club
Dubai
Soul Rush beats Romantic Warrior in G1 Dubai Turf
By Adam Houghton, TDN Europe
Japanese raider Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) stunned the Meydan crowds as he denied Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the shadows of the post to double his Group 1 tally in the G1 Dubai Turf. The race is a 'Win and You're In' for the G1 Breeders' Cup Mile in November.
The world's highest-earning racehorse of all time, Romantic Warrior still looked set to pocket another monster pay cheque for much of the final furlong, but in the final strides he was joined by Soul Rush, who responded willingly to jockey Cristian Demuro's urgings to force a photo finish with James McDonald’s Romantic Warrior. After a long wait for the judge to call the result, the Yasutoshi Ikee trainee was eventually announced as the winner by a nose, with another 1.25l back to the fast-finishing Maljoom (Ire) (Caravaggio {USA}) in third.
“Last year, I was beaten by a nose (on Namur, runner-up to Facteur Cheval)–this year, I won by a nose. The luck was with me today. It's as good a performance as he's ever produced and he beat the best horse in the world today. He travelled well and he fought until the end. I'm so happy,” said Demuro.
“Last year, I thought I had won until the last second. I just waited until the number went up. This year, I was more sure that I had won but I didn't want to get ahead of myself. It is a special win because we are now part of the Romantic Warrior story. He doesn't lose many races, but today he found a good horse.”
Soul Rush came into the Dubai Turf as the winner of eight of his 24 starts, with his most notable victory before Saturday coming when he made the breakthrough at the top level in last year's Mile Championship at Kyoto, having also finished second in that contest in 2023. Last seen finishing third in March's G2 Nakayama Kinen, he'd previously added another Group 1 placing to his record when runner-up to Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) in the Hong Kong Mile on his final start of 2024.
Soul Rush is one of three winners from four runners out of the Manhattan Cafe (Jpn) mare Eternal Bouquet (Jpn)–a half-sister to the G2 Aoba Sho winner Hiraboku Deep (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–with the others including the Listed scorer and G3 Sekiya Kinen second Dio (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}). Eternal Bouquet, in turn, is out of the winning Storm Cat (USA) mare Cat Ali (USA), a half-sister to three black-type performers, headed by the G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner and sire Arkadian Hero (USA).
Danon Decile wins G1 Sheema Classic
By Brian Sheerin, TDN Europe
Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) announced himself on the world stage with a perfectly-timed slingshot-manoeuvre to run out an impressive winner of the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic for trainer Shogo Yasuda and jockey Keita Tosaki. The Sheema is a 'Win and You're In' for the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf for the first time this year.
A mid-race move from William Buick saw defending champion Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) take over the sedate early pace, and looked like he might become the first horse to win back-to-back Sheema Classics with a 2l lead, but Tosaki was wise to what was going on up front. He sent Danon Decile after Rebel's Romance and took over the lead inside the furlong marker and was always doing enough in front to hold the fast-finishing heavy favourite Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in second. Durezza (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) got up for third in the dying strides to deny Rebel's Romance a podium finish.
“He's a very, very good horse,” said Tosaki, a three-time champion jockey in Japan. “There was huge pressure on me so it's fantastic to win this race. For the people watching at home in Japan so late, I am so happy, thank you so much.”
Danon Decile was bred by Shadai Farm and is one of the top performers by the brilliant Japan St Leger and Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia (Jpn). A Japanese Derby winner himself, Danon Decile is the fourth foal out of Top Decile (USA) (Congrats {USA}) and a half-brother to Japanese winners Top The Bill (Jpn) (American Pharoah {USA}) and Statistics (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). Top Decile was twice placed at Grade 1 level in America and was a US$950,000 (AU$1.6 million) purchase by Shadai Farm at the Keeneland November Sale in 2017.
Hit Show wins Dubai World Cup
By Alan Carasso, TDN
In most circles, Saturday's G1 Dubai World Cup was but a foregone conclusion. The star of the show was widely expected to be Japan's Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) who won the G1 Saudi Cup last start.
But horses can't read and races, they're not run on paper, and at the end of 2000 meters on a warm evening in the desert, Wathnan Racing's 5-year-old entire Hit Show (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}) was the one to pull the rabbit out of the hat, weaving his way through the Meydan stretch to run down Calumet Farm's very game Mixto (USA) (Good Magic {USA}) and top an American quinella. The Dubai World Cup is a 'Win and You're In' for the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic in November.
“Only at the 100 metres did I think I could win! Forever Young was my target and he was not traveling at all. I tried to find another horse to follow, from there my horse was game. For some reason, he just runs for me all the time, he is amazing,” jockey Florent Geroux said.
Hit Show made the first 12 starts of his career for his breeders, winning five of those, including the G2 West Virginia Governor's Stakes last August. He carried the Wathnan colours to victory in Keeneland's G2 Fayette Stakes in October, mixed his form a little, then G3 Louisiana Stakes in January, but was he was left better than a dozen lengths behind Locked (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) in the G1 Santa Anita Handicap in early March.
A 20th Grade 1 winner for Candy Ride, Hit Show is one of three winners from four to the races for his dam, Actress (USA) (Tapit {USA}) victorious in the 2017 G2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and G3 Comely Stakes. Actress is a daughter of the 2009 Sovereign Award-winning 3-year-old filly Milwaukee Appeal (USA), that year's Woodbine Oaks winner who was also placed in the G1 Alabama Stakes, the Queen's Plate and the Prince of Wales Stakes. Hit Show has won nine of his 18 starts and over US$8 million (AU$13 million).
Four successive G2 UAE Derbies for Japan
By Heather Anderson. TDN Europe
Japan earned their fourth consecutive G2 UAE Derby and fifth overall with the narrow victory of Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong {USA}) over the ultra game Heart Of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P. {USA}) at Meydan on Saturday. Only a nose separated the tough-as-nails Admire Daytona and Heart Of Honor at the wire, with Don In The Mood (Jpn) (Asia Express {USA}) relegated to third, 2l behind.
“Honestly, I thought I'd won but it was very tight so you never get too happy, too early. The Japanese horses come here with quite a bit of experience at home. I think they like the Meydan dirt track too. For sure he can go to Kentucky, but it is such a difficult race to win. It is one of the most iconic races in the world and we have to go if we can,” said jockey Christophe Lemaire who enjoyed his second UAE Derby win after he was aboard Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits {USA}) in 2023.
By Drefong, the 2016 American Champion Sprinter who stands at Shadai Stallion Station, Admire Daytona is the best foal out of Ice Pastel (USA) (Shackleford {USA}), who has four winners from four runners. A half-sister to the stakes winner Million Seller (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}), her third dam Maplejinsky (USA) (Nijinsky II {USA}) won the G1 Alabama Stakes and G1 Monmouth Oaks before foaling fellow top-level winner Sky Beauty (USA) (Blushing Groom {Fr}). Grade 1 winner and sire Violence (USA) is also from this clan.
G1 Al Quoz Sprint won by Believing
By Brian Sheerin, TDN Europe
You don't always get what you deserve in life. Just take a look at Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) for example. George Boughey's razor-sharp sprinter had gone agonisingly close to breaking her duck at the highest level three times last season and those closest to her must have been thinking if her turn would ever come.
Beaten but unbowed, Believing showed the world what she is capable of in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, going some way in justifying Coolmore's 3 million gns (AU$6.67 million) investment at last year's Tattersalls December Mares Sale.
Believing may have been a deserving breakthrough winner at the highest level but by God did she have to work for it under William Buick. Poking up the inner, the 5-year-old kept on best to better Japanese runner Win Carnelian (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) with Ed Bethell's Regional (GB) (Territories {Ire}) back in third. Sadly, Hong Kong's Howdeepisyourlove (Deep Field) was pulled up during the running and was later euthanised.
“The filly was very tough. She really deserved to get that Group 1. She showed there what she's all about-she really knuckled down. Fair play to George in his team for having her in tip-top shape for tonight,” said Buick.
Last year was a momentous one for Mehmas (Ire), who broke fellow Tally-Ho Stud resident Kodiac (GB)'s long-standing record for the greatest number of juvenile winners achieved in a year. Such an achievement played a role in the stallion's stud fee justifiably rising from €50,000 to €70,000 (AU$126,000) this year. The success of Believing here could set the tone for what is shaping up to be a hugely exciting season for the stallion. She is bred on the same Mehmas-Kodiac line that has also produced West Acre (Ire), who has been something of a revelation in Dubai over the past few months, but could only manage eighth when stepped back up to 6f in this race. As for Believing, she is out of an unraced Misfortunate (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a half-sister to dual Group 3-winning sprinter Miss Sally (Ire) (Danetime {Ire}).
Dark Saffron wins G1 Golden Shaheen at three
By Alan Carasso, TDN
In the history of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen dating back to 1996, no 3-year-old had ever succeeded in defeating their elders in the 1200-metre dash. Only two Northern Hemisphere-bred sophomores had so much as tried.
That all changed in the space of 71 seconds and some change under the Saturday night lights at Meydan, as 3-year-old gelding Dark Saffron (USA) (Flameaway {USA}) busted away from the outside stall and made every yard a winning one, holding off Nakatomi (USA) (Firing Line {USA}) and a desperately unlucky defending champion Tuz (USA) (Oxbow {USA}) to cause a major upset. The Dubai Golden Shaheen was contested as a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint on November 1 at Del Mar.
“He's one of them, he's just kept improving and he was in up against good competition on the turf. He's got speed to burn and to do what he's just done is incredible,” said winning jockey Connor Beasley.
Dark Saffron is the 12th worldwide stakes winner, fourth Group/Graded winner and second top-level scorer for his Darby Dan-based sire, but his first in the Northern Hemisphere. He is one of six winners from six to the races for his dual stakes-winning and Grade 2-placed dam Meadow Saffron (USA) (Military {USA}).
USA
Journalism, part-owned by Coolmore, wins G1 Santa Anita Derby
By Jill Williams, TDN
In possibly the most anticipated Derby prep of this year, 3-year-old colt Journalism (USA) (Curlin {USA}) proved he was the real deal Saturday in the G1 Santa Anita Derby and will go to Louisville at the G1 Kentucky Derby favourite. The Santa Anita Derby rewards points on a scale of 100-50-25-15-10 on the Road to the Derby, giving Journalism 147.50 points total and a guaranteed spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs.
It was a field of just five in Arcadia for the 88th running of the key Derby prep, but it was a field bursting with quality, as the group brought a collective US$6.6 million (AU$10.7 million) as yearlings in August and September of 2023. Journalism finished 0.75l to the best but did it with such authority that jockey Umberto Rispoli stood up right before the wire. Baeza (USA) (McKinzie {USA}) was another 8.5l in front of Westwood (USA) (Authentic {USA}).
“That's such a good animal to be able to get out of there,” said Rispoli after the race. “It's rare for a horse to get held up at the three-eighths pole and to get back in the race in that way. It's always difficult, especially for such a big horse. But he has such an amazing style and is just an amazing horse.”
Don Alberto Corporation bred Journalism in Kentucky and sold him for US$825,000 (AU$1.3 million) at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, then stayed in the ownership partnership, which also consists of Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Robert V LaPenta, Mrs John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael B Tabor. The latter three joined the ownership when it was announced earlier this week Journalism will stand at Coolmore America's Ashford Stud following his racing career.
If there's a horse on paper and in running style who is most likely to thrive at the 10 furlongs of the Kentucky Derby this year, it's undoubtedly Journalism and it's because of his sire, Curlin (USA). The Hill 'n' Dale sire churns out Classic-type horses at a dizzying rate. Journalism is one of 64 Graded winners and 109 black-type winners for the two-time Horse of the Year whose own journey through the Classics included a G1 Preakness win and placings in both the Derby and the G1 Belmont Stakes. Curlin has had two sons place in the Derby and has had seven wins or placings by sons in the Preakness and Belmont.
Journalism's dam, Mopotism (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}), won the 2018 G2 La Canada Stakes over the Santa Anita surface and placed in another 10 Graded events around the country, including four Grade 1 races. Don Alberto Corp signed the ticket for her at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky 'Night of the Stars' sale for US$1.05 million (AU$1.7 million). Journalism, one of 25 stakes winners out of daughters of the late Uncle Mo (USA), is her first foal.
Tenma wins G2 Santa Anita Oaks
By TDN America
Heavily favoured Tenma (USA) (Nyquist {USA}), trained by Bob Baffert, solidified her status as the West Coast's leading G1 Kentucky Oaks contender with an easy victory in the G2 Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita Oaks on Saturday.
Tenma took a slim lead at the top of the lane and, while stablemate Silent Law (USA) (Tiz the Law {USA}) boxed on gamely, the favourite proved too much, skipping away late to win by 2.25l. Vodka With a Twist (USA) (Thousand Words {USA}), who was making her first start since finishing second in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last November, was another 6l back in third.
“I was having a beautiful trip, and I asked her to run at the three-eighths pole because she was getting a little lazy on me,” said winning jockey Juan Hernandez. “But that's the way she is, she takes a couple strides to get going. Around the turn, when I was ready to start making my move and pass Silent Law, she was really brave.”
Breeder Bobby Flay purchased Amagansett (USA) (Tapit {USA}) as a yearling for $875,000 (AU$1.4 million) at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. The unraced mare sold in foal to Not This Time (USA) for $400,000 (AU$650,000) to Kimura Hidenori Co at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Amagansett's multiple Group-placed dam Twirl (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a full sister to multiple Group 1 winner Misty for Me (Ire), who produced multiple Group 1 winners U S Navy Flag (USA) (War Front {USA}) and Roly Poly (USA) (War Front {USA}). She is also a full sister to multiple Group 1-placed Ballydoyle (Ire).
