Thunder Snow might have won the showpiece Dubai World Cup on Saturday but it was really Mendelssohn that got jaws dropping in the UAE Derby. Out-of-the-ordinary performances do happen in Flat racing but they are an infrequent occurrence; Winx has done a few in the past years, so did Frankel, Black Caviar and Deep Impact. The manner of their wins left the gallery in awe.
On Saturday, many people were expecting Godolphin's Gold Town dominate the Derby in the desert. Others had tipped Mendelssohn but certainly none would have predicted the manner of his victory by 18.5 lengths! For a Group 2 Flat race with some smart types, this was a staggering performance by the budding superstar from Coolmore. In the immediate aftermath, he was installed co-favourite for the Kentucky Derby and will definitely give trainer O'Brien a first live chance at landing his first American classic. It's hard not be excited by the potential of a European-based horse landing the most prestigious prize in American racing. Fingers crossed.
A few hours after the Mendelssohn demonstration, Audible won the Florida Derby in convincing style that makes me believe he will be a serious candidate for the prize on the first Saturday of May. It's amazing to think that the horse's owners, the China Horse Club, just ventured in racing only a few years back and are now on the cusp of winning the KD. The irony of it all is that Teo Ah King, the founder of the China Horse Club, and Coolmore have been successful partners a while back as co-owners of Australia, the Galileo colt that won the Derby for them in 2014. Now both sides are at the forefront of landing the American version of the Derby.
But let's not get too far ahead as a lot will happen in the trials to Kentucky. There are a couple of legitimate contenders yet to showcase their credentials during this month namely Bolt d'Oro and Justify. It is clear that Mendelssohn will not have it as easy at Churchill Downs as in Dubai. But for now and until then, that Wow performance on Saturday is still lively in the minds. Watching the road to Kentucky looks really interesting this year!
On Saturday, many people were expecting Godolphin's Gold Town dominate the Derby in the desert. Others had tipped Mendelssohn but certainly none would have predicted the manner of his victory by 18.5 lengths! For a Group 2 Flat race with some smart types, this was a staggering performance by the budding superstar from Coolmore. In the immediate aftermath, he was installed co-favourite for the Kentucky Derby and will definitely give trainer O'Brien a first live chance at landing his first American classic. It's hard not be excited by the potential of a European-based horse landing the most prestigious prize in American racing. Fingers crossed.
A few hours after the Mendelssohn demonstration, Audible won the Florida Derby in convincing style that makes me believe he will be a serious candidate for the prize on the first Saturday of May. It's amazing to think that the horse's owners, the China Horse Club, just ventured in racing only a few years back and are now on the cusp of winning the KD. The irony of it all is that Teo Ah King, the founder of the China Horse Club, and Coolmore have been successful partners a while back as co-owners of Australia, the Galileo colt that won the Derby for them in 2014. Now both sides are at the forefront of landing the American version of the Derby.
But let's not get too far ahead as a lot will happen in the trials to Kentucky. There are a couple of legitimate contenders yet to showcase their credentials during this month namely Bolt d'Oro and Justify. It is clear that Mendelssohn will not have it as easy at Churchill Downs as in Dubai. But for now and until then, that Wow performance on Saturday is still lively in the minds. Watching the road to Kentucky looks really interesting this year!
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