DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN

(GROUP 1)

THE absence of Roy H was a big disappointment for fans, but X Y Jet did not disappoint. Breaking first, he produced a powerful front-running performance to capture the $2.5 million, Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.

Trained by Jorge Navarro for owners Rockingham Ranch and Gelfenstein Farm, X Y Jet was gaining overdue compensation as he had twice finished second in the race, beaten a neck in 2016 by Muarrab and by a head last year behind Mind Your Biscuits.

Emisael Jaramillo was in the saddle and immediately took command of the race with the seven-year-old Kantharos gelding, running out a length and a half winner from the game and determined Japanese runner Matera Sky.

Fifth-placed Drafted was the unlucky runner in the race, after suffering a disastrous journey through the race. The Florida-bred winner has now won half of his 24 starts and improved his earnings to more than $3 million.

None one was more proud of the winner than his trainer Jorge Navarro. He said: “I don’t know what I’m feeling right now. I guess it will hit me later on. I do feel a lot of pride in my horse. They knocked him and they forgot he lost twice here by a nose. But he did it today. He won the race and he was the best against the best horses here tonight.”

Also beaming was Brian Trump of Rockingham Ranch, one of the gelding’s joint-owners. He added: “I can’t believe he did it. Defeat in the past has made this victory that much sweeter. Today, it was his time. It was obviously disappointing when Roy H came out, but when this horse is on his game, he’s very hard to beat in anything he contests. He’s such a special horse and the team has done a tremendous job with him.”

Patrick Dobbs summed up the race for the part Irish-owned Drafted, saying: “He had a disaster. He jumped okay but the horse on the outside came over and he got taken out of the race. He resented the kickback after that but has run an amazing race to finish fifth.”

Shane Foley finished last on the David Marnane-trained Tato Key.