Godolphin Racing’s pride Thunder Snow won the Dubai World Cup last March 30 at Meydan Racecourse via heart-stopping photo-finish, scoring back-to-back wins in what is again the world’s richest race.
Thunder Snow and jockey Christophe Soumillon struggled harder to win the 2,000-meter race this year, beating their opponent Gronkowski by only a nose. Last year, he won by six or seven lengths.
The 5YO horse is the first to win the DWC more than once. This despite his team drawing the second-to-the-widest post position this year, forcing Soumillon to constantly improve his position.
“Today Thunder had to fight hard,” Soumillon said, adding he never lost confidence in his mount.
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who notched his 9th DWC victory, said, “He is such a brave horse.” He added that if Godolphin owner and Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum agrees, he would like to campaign Thunder Snow in New York with an eye to competing in the Breeder’s Cup Classic.
The DWC racing event is held yearly at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. There are nine races, eight of which feature Thoroughbreds and one race of purebred Arabians, the ancestors of modern Thoroughbreds.
The Dubai World Cup race was established in 1996 by Sheik Mohammed, who owns Godolphin Racing and Darley Stud, one of the world’s foremost racing and breeding operations.
The DWC was the world’s richest race until the Pegasus World Cup offered more in 2017 and 2018. This year, the DWC took that distinction back by putting up a purse of $12 million.
Sheik Mohammed is so enthused about the race that he wrote a poem about it entitled “Dubai World Cup” that was published on his Instagram. Here’s an excerpt that aptly describes the event:
“In Al Wasl [old name for Dubai, it means ‘connection’] we held a joyous gathering /A land towards which people came hastening… Connecting people with love and generosity / Embracing visitors as they arrived eagerly /
“From around the world, the guests flew in / Bound by its spell, they found a great haven / Honored is the horse on this land and victorious / Whence every horse aspires to be glorious / A joyous celebration, year after year / Where the world’s best meet, from far and near…”
Poetry and horses—a wonderful combination. There’s nothing to top that.
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