Dubai World Cup (Group 1)

THE 25th running of the $12 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup was not the celebration it should have been.

Last year’s meeting was cancelled due to the worldwide pandemic that was emerging. This year’s race, behind closed doors as such, was also overshadowed by the death a few days earlier of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Godolphin landed a ninth success in the race when their American-trained raider Mystic Guide gave his veteran trainer Mike Stidham a first win outside the USA. The trainer, who saddled his first winner in 1980, has enjoyed more 2,100 victories, but this was by some way his best.

Having had four Grade 1 winners previously, all mares, this was his first top-flight success with a colt.

The four-year-old homebred son of Ghostzapper has been a rising star for some time. Now winner of half of his eight career starts, he annexed last year’s Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes and was beaten less than a length in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.

He was impressive when winning a Grade 3 as his warm-up for the Dubai World Cup.

Forged clear

Winning jockey Luis Saez took the lead two furlong out and forged clear aboard Mystic Guide, with Japanese raider Chuwa Wizard staying on to take second, three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner, with Godolphin’s Andre Fabre-trained Magny Cours in third, another length and a quarter further back.

There was an eventful preliminary to the race with Great Scot being withdrawn after dropping jockey Frankie Dettori, and Military Law also taken out of the field after breaking out of the stalls.

Saez said: “The plan worked out perfectly. He’s a young horse and last time I rode him I knew he was a Group 1 winner. Today he proved he is a champion and I know he is going to get better and better.

“This was my dream as a little kid and I can’t believe I’m here now. It’s a dream come true.”

Special night

“I want to start by giving my condolences on the passing of Sheikh Hamdan,” said Stidham. “This was a special night. You’re seeing 40 years of emotions right now.

“I am so happy to be here and the horse performed to his capability. It’s a beautiful thing.

“I’m so proud to be here on the 25th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup for Sheikh Mohammed, and the sky’s the limit for this horse. We’d love to come back next year, I’ll know the lay of the land better then!”

Mystic Guide was the twelfth winner of the Dubai World Cup trained in the USA.