SWITZERLAND scaled his highest racing peak when the eight-year-old took home the $2 million Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen over six furlongs on the Dubai World Cup undercard.

Prepared by the UAE champion trainer-to-be Bhupat Seemar, Switzerland recorded one of the most popular victories of the night, a roar erupting when Irishman Tadhg O’Shea pulled the local hope out to the centre of the track. He charged to a length and three-quarter victory over last year’s runner-up Red Le Zele, with top American sprinter Dr Schivel just grabbing third ahead of Chain Of Love.

Seemar, who is in his first season with a licence, said: “It’s such a fantastic result. We’ve always really liked the horse. Tadhg and I spoke this morning and made a plan. We’ll look to bring him back next year and, you never know, even at eight there could be some more improvement in him. It’s a fantastic team we have behind us and I need to thank so many people. I’m in a very privileged position.”

Champion-elect

The winning jockey, who is on course for a tenth UAE champion jockey title, added: “There was a lot of speed on and this horse excels in a truly run race. We were the outsider today and I said to Bhupat let’s ride him accordingly. There’s no point putting him in the race and getting him in a speed duel.

“Thankfully it all worked and he’s a horse who grew in confidence as the race went on. They were starting to stop and flounder and he was coming harder on the bridle, so it was fantastic.”

O’Shea added: “He came back from Saudi Arabia with a dirty scope and he was drawn badly there. It was a shame I couldn’t go and ride him there but he’s come back better than ever, I’d say that’s a career best.

“It’s my first Group 1 winner and I’m in the 40 club! I have a good mate, Adrian Nicholls, who said ‘don’t give up, it’ll come’.”