Saeed bin Suroor has dominated the Dubai World Cup like no other trainer and won the US $10 million feature for a stunning eighth time with the Christophe Soumillon-ridden Thunder Snow.
Thunder Snow charges home to win the big one (Pic – Andrew Watkins)
The winner of the UAE Derby on this card 12 months ago was smartly away from his outside berth in stall 10 and the Belgian-born rider barely saw another rival as the pair strolled away to score by five and three-quarter lengths in a track record time of 2.01.38.
American legend Bob Baffert was looking for his fourth win in the race and after his Arrogate’s dramatic victory last year, he saddled the second and third with West Coast beating Mubtaahij by a neck.
Thunder Snow’s win took his career tally to seven wins in 18 starts and provided bin Suroor with his eighth Dubai World Cup win from 42 runners – a record which towers across his rivals.
Thunder Snow also capped off a remarkable evening for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as it was Godolphin’s fourth of the night, and the second leg of doubles for Soumillon and bin Suroor.
Christophe Soumillon
“When I came in the straight I could feel nobody was following me,” Soumillon said. “I knew I had to concentrate because when he sees the big screen, he can do something sometimes. It’s magic. I work hard every day to make sure someday something crazy like this will happen.
“Saeed gave me lot of confidence before the race. I wasn’t ready to ride him that positively and I thought there would be more speed on the inside. He jumped so well that I thought I would have to make it. The first time I rode him I thought that when he leads that no-one can beat him, but it is difficult to make it.
“However, it wasn’t that difficult in the end. Saeed did a great job and the horse made everything – it makes the jockey’s life so easy when ride you great horses. I’m in heaven now, I’m not sure exactly what’s going on but we’re going to have a big party tonight.”
Bin Suroor added: “I am very happy with the horse and jockey. I told Christophe the horse has a good turn of foot and I told him to use it. The jockey is the best of the best.
“When I saw him he was confident in front and I thought surely the horse was going to win from then.
“We have the best owner in Sheikh Mohammed. He is the best leader and gives us the best horses. It is a brilliant win and I will give the trophy to my mother and brothers and family.
“It was always on my mind to run him in the Dubai World Cup and he will have a break now, before running in Europe or America.”
