Godolphin Racing Produces Winners
Maktoum Brothers Have 7 of the Twelve UAE Dubai Classic Champions
Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum of Godolphin Racing and his brother, Hamdan bin Rashid of Shadwell Stable, have owned seven of the winners of the UAE Dubai Classic
Competing against each other and as individual stables against world competition, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and his brother, Hamdan bin Rashid have swept over half of the UAE Dubai Classic championships held annually at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai since 1996. Sheikh Mohammed owns the highly successful enterprises Darley Stud and Godolphin Racing, while Sheikh Hamdan claims the USA-based Shadwell Stable.
Suroor and the Godolphins Equal Winning Team
Godolphin Racing's trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, can brag of six champions who have carried their banner to the Dubai Classic (World Cup) winner's circle. Five of their champions were favorites to win. One, Almutawakel, was an upset winner.
Electrocutionist was purchased by Godolphin in November and sent to the annual World Cup races the next spring (2006), giving trainer Suroor only five months to school him up to the Dubai Classic. But several months after his great victory, Electrocutionist died of heart failure.
Several Godolphin Racing winners had USA sires. Street Cry, sent to Darley Stud after his racing career ended, fathered 2007 Kentucky Derby victor, Street Sense.
Godolphin's Dubai Classic winners are:
- Singspiel - 1997
- Almutawakel - 1999
- Dubai Millennium - 2000
- Street Cry - 2001
- Moon Ballad - 2003
- Electrocutionist - 2006
Shadwell Stable's Invasor Creates Buzz
Sheikh Mohammed may have the numbers, but brother Sheikh Hamdan may have had the last laugh with his one Dubai Classic winner (2007) in Invasor. The Candy Stripes colt turned into one of the greatest runners of recent times, suffering just one defeat (to Sheikh Mohammed's Discreet Cat) in his career.
Pletcher Favorite Beaten in 2003
Moon Ballad, third choice in 2003's Dubai betting, came on under regular jockey Frankie Dettori to handily put away Todd Pletcher trainee Harlan's Holiday. The Pletcher entry stayed in contention, but Moon Ballad gave a supreme effort when Dettori called for it coming out of the final turn.
In 2000, Dubai Millennium was named for the moment, and carried it and Dettori to the winner's circle, routing his rivals by eight lengths. Among the defeated was USA's fine handicap champ Behrens.
Almutawakel Remains Godolphin's Greatest Upset Victor
1999's Dubai Classic created Godolphin Racing's biggest shocker when their underdog Almutawakel, bred in Great Britain, breezed by the USA and Great Britain favorites. Chronic arthritis plagued the champ in later years. He was euthanized in November of 2007.
This season's Dubai racing festival is scheduled for March 29. Preakness Stakes winner and Horse of the Year Curlin will gallop with the USA's hopes in the Classic.
