DUBAI GOLD CUP,

GROUP 2

VAZIRABAD, trained by Alain de Royer Dupre, entered the history books when becoming the first thoroughbred ever to win on three Dubai World Cup nights.

The six-year-old son of Manduro captured his third consecutive $1 million Dubai Gold Cup over two miles on turf by a length from the fast-finishing Sheikhzayedroad, trained by David Simcock. The Charlie Appleby-trained Rare Rhythm finished third ahead of his front-running stablemate Frontiersman.

On a night of records, Christophe Soumillon was in the saddle as Vazirabad set a new mark of three minutes 17:92 seconds. It was a 14th win from 21 starts for the Aga Khan’s home-bred and the winning rider is hoping that Vazirabad continues to rewrite the record books.

“He was making history and I hope there is more to come in future and that we can be back next year for even more,” Soumillon said. “He’s a good horse. He got beat on his first run here, but Alain knows how to get him fit and he has done a great job. All the wins have been different but to do it three times is history.”

“How the race was run was perfect for him,” de Royer Dupre said. “I always said that we never had him better than today.

“He was so relaxed and calm before the race and the pace was very strong. And the more pace, the better for him. They went as fast as if they were going over a mile and that really helped my confidence.

“He nearly came too early. There is no doubt that this is his best ever performance, but as I said, I am not surprised, he was so well in the run-up to the race. When you come every year to Dubai, you learn what to do. It is very hot and you have to adapt to that. We will now target the Ascot Gold Cup in June.”

The Jessica Harrington-trained Torcedor finished last of the 16 runners, rider Colm O’Donoghue saying: “He was under pressure a long way out. He didn’t have the ideal preparation with all the snow at home. I still feel he has a good season ahead of him.”