World Cup Hopes Show Today
Two of the main contenders for the 2016 Dubai World Cup will be in action at Meydan Racecourse today for the best Dubai World Cup Carnival action of the year so far
3rd February 2016
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Two of the main contenders for the 2016 Dubai World Cup will be in action at Meydan Racecourse today for the best Dubai World Cup Carnival action of the year so far
If it is true that when horses, or those who ride or train them, do rare things, they make the people who were present that day feel good, then Mike de Kock’s Abington Place yard in Newmarket is a centre for rare excellence.
Globetrotting Mubtaahij earned himself a nice following among horse lovers in the USA following his exploits in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes
De Kock races horses in his native South Africa, where he is regarded as the Babe Ruth of the barn set, and also in Dubai and occasionally in the U.S. He’s saddled winners in England, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Eighth-place Derby finisher Mubtaahij (10-1), with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. engaged to ride for the first time, will be assigned to the rail for trainer Mike de Kock.
Mike De Kock’s Belmont Stakes entrant Mubtaahij continued his preparations for the big race
He has ridden many popular horses throughout his young career, including 2012 champion 3-year-old filly Questing, Kid Cruz, Vyjack and Birdatthewire
Mike De Kock’s Belmont Stakes hopeful Mubtaahij took to Belmont Park’s inner turf course along with stablemate Umgiyo and posted a bullet five-furlong breeze two days after his arrival, on Sunday
This is the most exciting racing assignment I’ve ever been on. It was completely unchartered territory and it was a huge privilege to be there and document this piece of history.
We met many wonderful and knowledgeable racing people and were treated like royalty, we were overwhelmed. The public interest in the Kentucky Derby and their love for horses is fascinating!
Mubtaahij will be staying on in the US to be aimed at the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes to be run over 2400m on 6 June at Belmont Park in New York,
