POLAR River’s unbeaten run came to an end when the filly was denied by the Japanese runner Lani in the UAE Derby, a Group 2 race. Another Japanese runner Yu Change was third. The runner-up could be considered somewhat unlucky to be beaten, given that Pat Dobbs was denied an early challenge as the field turned into the straight.

However her trainer Doug Watson was far from despondent. “She was tight for room at a critical point after the turn-in.

She stayed on very well again at the end. If anything she’s still a bit green. But going forward she’s going to be a superb filly as she matures. It was still a good run.”

Credit is due to the winner who stumbled at the start and trailed the field for much of the race. Veteran jockey Yutaka Take was seen at his best on the colt.

“I am so happy, I don’t really know what to say.” said trainer Mikio Matsunaga. “I was a bit worried after he stumbled at the start, but he showed how good he really can be today and Take rode a great race.”

The winner was saddled away from the crowds and then went straight onto the track instead the parade ring. “The Meydan staff has been very kind to us, allowing us to take the best care of Lani as possible.

He can be very troublesome, so we really appreciated the allowances given to us by the track staff,” said Matsunaga.

“We always knew he was special.” said Koki Maeda, the son of the winning owner Yoko Maeda.

“We would really like to win the Kentucky Derby and, based on how he ran over this surface, I think he’ll be able to run well in Kentucky if we go.

“If there is nothing wrong with the horse after the race and [my father] wants to go, we will send him to the Kentucky Derby.”

Take added: “Since he is such a strong horse, I really felt like he had a good chance in this race.

“He is a very difficult horse but he travelled very well after we recovered from the stumble at the start.

“He is still fairly immature but he has a lot of potential to develop into an even more impressive horse. He gets better every time.”