Dubai Gold Cup

(Group 2)

FOR the fourth year in a row an overseas challenger triumphed in the $1 million Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup. For the first time there was a back-to-back winner of the two-mile turf event when Vazirabad, under a highly-praised ride from Christophe Soumillon, landed the spoils by a neck for owner HH Aga Khan and trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre.

For Godolphin it was a case of second-best with the gallant Beautiful Romance on whom Oisin Murphy had made what looked like a winning move inside the two-furlong marker. The mare had beaten Vazirabad, a son of Manduro, in last month’s Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

The Aga Khan’s racing manager Georges Rimaud said: “We brought him here earlier this year to get used to the climate and he has done well in training. I was a little concerned when Christophe went inside in the straight but he knows his way round the track and has confidence in the horse.”

Royer-Dupre was taking his tally at the Dubai World Cup fixture to three, having also won the 2015 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic for the Aga Khan with Dolniya. He said the Goodwood Cup, newly promoted to Group 1, would be the gelding’s summer target, but did not rule out the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, provided the ground is not firm.

John Ferguson was full of praise for Beautiful Romance. “She’s a very genuine filly and has run the race of her life. She’s proved herself a top stayer, and we look forward to her competing in the big events around the world.”

The David Simcock-trained Sheikhzayedroad, making his fourth consecutive appearance on the card, again covered himself in glory, being beaten a length and a half into third place.