Mubtaahij's Derby romp

With an eye-opening win in the $2 million UAE Derby sponsored by the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum's three-year-old Mubtaahij (IRE) continued his charge towards the Kentucky Derby with a eight-length romp.

Breaking from the rail post in the field of nine, the Mike De Kock-trainee raced in the pocket behind a wall of front runners into the final turn.

He took over at the top of the stretch an increased his margin of victory to the wire. The timer stopped in 1:58.35 for 1900m on fast dirt.

“I was just behind the leaders and the pace was good, so I followed it into the straight, said jockey Christophe Soumillon, who was riding Mubtaahij for the first time.

"I was going very easily and as soon as I pressed the button it was all over. In the end, I kept some energy for the future, especially if he goes to the Kentucky Derby."

It was the fourth win in six lifetime starts for the son of Dubawi, whose lone loss on dirt came to Maftool (USA) in the UAE 2000 Guineas on February 12.

Last early on, Maftool rallied stoutly in the stretch and got up to secure second by three-quarters of a length over Japanese contender Golden Barows (USA), who was forwardly-placed throughout. It was another quarter length back to Motaa (KSA) in fourth.

“He was a bit naughty in the gate," said Maftool's rider Paul Hanagan. "He didn’t jump and that was the start of it. He was never travelling at any stage. He stays, I just wish he could have helped me more.”

Mubtaahij earned 100 Kentucky Derby points for the victory and Maftool earned 50 for second. Both horses were early nominees to the American Triple Crown.




Credit Dubai Racing club and Neville Hopwood

Great win.. Looking forward to see running in America.Congrats to the connections.

Watched on channel 210 ... interview before the race with Mike de Kock ... I don't know if it showed on 239. The look in his eyes when the interviewer asked if they'd be seeing him in America at the Derby spoke volumes, though he did say he'd wait till after the race to start making plans.

After such a race, if the horse stays well and the owners agree, he is DEFINITELY heading west. Mike is a man on a mission, if ever I saw one.

Fantastic win I am sure Mike is already learning the words for the anthem and that will certainly make him a Yankee doddle dandy

Brilliant win

Here is anoth video uploaded to our channel by the brilliant Andrew Bon

glimpses of Gill and Charl among other

Awesome Bonski
txs

Would someone kindly explain this "points"system to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. :silly:

It's first ever run was a hot maiden at Newmarket,he finished 5th to Consort.
The 3rd,4th,5th,6th and 8th have all won next time out..
Consort is trained by Sir Michael Stoute and is 33/1 for The 2000 Guineas.
Been flagged up by Tom Segle

@Farawaysaint. This ought to explain things nicely.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_to_the_Kentucky_Derby

If he turns up sound he wins. 12/1 is a super price.

Different running against proper dirt horses on the dirt in their own back yard imo

It`s like wise dan coming to the UK and running on Turf, he wouldnt win an egg n spoon race

Or Chronic Chrome going to Royal Ascot stoopid idea