THE absence of Solow from the $6 million DP World Dubai Turf was disappointing but the outcome was an excellent one on a great night for Japanese racing.

Victory went to the four-year-old Real Steel, a son of Deep Impact and partnered to this success by Ryan Moore. This was just a third victory in nine starts for the colt who denied one of racing’s greatest bargains, Euro Charline, the huge winner’s pot. The runner-up, an 800gns yearling purchase at Tattersalls, has now amassed earnings of well over £1.4 million. Back in third place was the Shamardal gelding Tryster who put up a career best performance.

Real Steel paid a compliment to subsequent Dubai Sheema Classic runner-up Duramente with the victory, having finished second to that colt in last season’s Japanese 2000 Guineas and fourth to him in the Japanese Derby.

It was a dream result for Ritto-based trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who was worried beforehand about being drawn in stall 14. “I am so happy,” he said. “I really thought that my horse was the best in the field going into this race. He settled well, though I thought he’d be a little further back. Ryan rode him to perfection. Just as I thought, breaking from box 14 wasn’t a problem at all.

Yahagi was effusive in his praise for the winning rider ahead of the race, and reaffirmed his admiration afterwards.

“As I’ve said before I think Ryan Moore is the number one jockey in the world and I trust him completely,” said the trainer. “If we had been beaten with Ryan on board then there would have been no excuses.”

The winning rider was also full of praise for his mount. “He’s a beautiful horse, he’s got lots of quality. It was a big effort from the horse, he had a tough trip and was out wide, but has toughed it out. He never runs a bad race. He’s a very brave horse and had to do it the hard way.”

From a top-class female line, Real Steel’s third dam was the exceptional racemare and broodmare Miesque.