Dubai World Cup: Laurel River routs rivals for Juddmonte

Laurel River

turned the World Cup into a procession when running out a wide-margin winner for local trainer Bhupat Seemar and jockey Tadhg O’Shea.

Formerly trained by Bob Baffert, the Juddmonte-owned six-year-old was trying the 10-furlong trip for the first time but with two furlongs to run had the race won.

The likes of Derma Sotogake, Ushba Tesoro, Newgate and Kabirkhan had garnered most of the pre-race talk, with Laurel River almost sneaking in under the radar.

It looked a brave decision to step him up in trip, despite winning a Group Three by almost seven lengths over a mile last time out.

O’Shea was allowed to dictate the race from a long way out and under no pressure, he went further and further clear.

Entering the final furlong, he was still 10 lengths ahead and while Laurel River understandably got tired late on, he crossed the line well ahead of Ushba Tesoro and Senor Buscador.

The winning trainer said: “I would like to thank Juddmonte and His Royal Highness for sending me the horse. I was worried that they might be going too fast but Tadhg got the right fractions and also a breather into him.

“It’s the greatest feeling to have won this race, but what he was doing in the mornings made me think, ‘what has this horse got?’

“There is so much stamina in his pedigree but his training was out of this world.”

O’Shea added: “I tell you one thing, I have never ridden one as good as him. I never dreamed I would win the Dubai World Cup, it really is the stuff of dreams.

“He behaved like a pony; he hit the gates and did everything from the front, it was unbelievable. He gave himself every chance to get the distance, it’s an amazing feeling.”

Trainer Bhupat Seemar said: “I’m still coming to terms with what’s happened. I think it’ll probably sink in in another day or two. It’s absolutely amazing. Tadhg said this morning ‘we’re drawn 12, I’m not going to be two-minded about it, I’m going to go forward.’“He’s got so much natural pace. He comes out of the gate and this is why we ran him over six furlongs (in the Al Shindagha).

“Tadhg was able to get some easy fractions and then I saw Defunded coming on his outside but he just kept on going further. I expected to see all the closers flying at him but he kept going.“I was a small kid when I was watching these colours winning some of the biggest races in the world.

"What the late Prince Khalid Abdullah has done for racing is amazing, I couldn’t believe I was going to be training the horse for that farm and in those colours. And now to win one of the world’s great races for them is unbelievable.

Ushba Tesoro (2nd), jockey Yuga Kawada said: “He was in good form and he ran his race. It was a good run. We managed to beat Senor Buscador today but the winner was too fast and stayed really well in front. We will be prepared for the Breeders’ Cup and I believe Del Mar will suit him better than Santa Anita.”

Senor Buscador (3rd), trainer Todd Fincher said: “He brings it every time, he ran a really good race. He might have started his run a little early trying to catch Laurel River and maybe that cost us a placing. Hats off to Laurel River, he freaked on everybody there. We were hoping there would be a little pace in there, but Laurel River is a nice horse and you’re not going to catch a horse like that if he gets loose. That’s what we’re up against, he’s got to have some pace to run at. It’s very rare in a Grade 1 race that there’s no pace, but we are very proud of him.”

Wilson Tesoro (4th), trainer Hitoshi Kotegawa said: “It is disappointing. We came this far and didn't really get to show our best. We would like to claim a Group 1 with his jockey, Yusuke Hara in the future.

Dura Erede (5th), jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev said: “My horse ran well. For him, this is all about the experience. He’s been on turf and dirt. Today, he was a little bit keen. I lost a little bit of ground on the back stretch just as the winner got quicker. I’m happy with the run.”

Derma Sotogake (6th), jockey Oisin Murphy said: “The speed was on but it kept going and I’d have loved to have had a place maybe further forward, out of the kickback. But it was a very nice ride to have and I hope Christophe Lemaire [intended rider who was stood down] is OK.”

Defunded (7th), jockey Adel Al Furaydi said: “He is a good horse and it was a pleasing run. We will try again next year.”

Kabirkhan (8th), jockey Pat Dobbs said: “He was beaten a long way out. I knew leaving the back straight he wasn’t the same horse as before.”

Newgate (9th), jockey Frankie Dettori said: “My horse ran flat.”

Crupi (10th), jockey Luis Saez said: “He broke well but, man, they are tough horses. Very tough. He tried, he was alright.”

Clapton (11th), jockey Dylan Davis said: “He has run nearly last. It was a tough race for him.”

Military Law (12th), jockey Oscar Chavez said: “He pulled up a bit sore.”