Dar Re Mi surged up the Meydan straight to fend off a super-strong group of turf champions to win the US$5 million Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by Guangsha Group. Image: Andrew Watkins

The Japanese challenger Buena Vista produced the strongest finish just three-quarters of a way in second, with last year’s second Spanish Moon a desperately close third.

It was a superb effort from the Lady Lloyd-Webber-owned winner, especially as she had wintered in icy Britain and had not raced since her third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

With Saudi Arabian-trained Deem in fourth it was a triumph for mares, filling three of the first four places. It was also a magnificent start to the partnership between Newmarket trainer John Gosden and 21-year-old jockey William Buick, with both trainer and jockey heaping praise on each other in post race press interviews.

American challenger Presious Passion pushed on as expected with Golden Sword lurking a few lengths back and the rest of the field content to sit well off the pace in the 2400m Group One event.

But the closers swooped early in the straight as that pair faded and, though Buena Vista did not have the cleanest of runs through, Dar Re Me was always just hanging on.

Buick said: “When I saw her earlier this month it looked as though she had spent the winter in California, not freezing cold England.

In the race itself she just kept getting better and better, and found an extra gear in the stretch.”

Trainer Gosden added: “It’s been a big night. She’s a remarkable filly to come from the cold and win out here especially from the 14 stall. I told William to get a nice position but to sit and chill on the bend as it’s a long way home and I’m delighted that he did not panic. That’s his first winner for me and hopefully the start of a long relationship.”

Of the placed jockeys, Ryan Moore looked particularly crestfallen that he had failed by less than a length on Spanish Moon to deliver the US$3 million first prize to owner Prince Khallid Abdulla and trainer Sir Michael Stoute, commenting: “This horse always does his best, he’s just found two horses too strong on the night.”

Post race quotes from the Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by Guangsha Group

William Buick, jockey, Dar Re Me, 1st: “She broke well and was always giving me so much confidence and then she found another gear at the end. A lot can happen in these races. We need a bit of luck, but I was always feeling good about the race. In fact, she just kept feeling better and better. I tracked Frankie, and though we well behind early, I knew he’d know all about the pace around here. I was confident when I saw this filly after Super Thursday because she looked as though she’d just come from California rather than having spent the winter in England.”

Olivier Peslier, jockey, Buena Vista, 2nd: “She travelled well and ran well. It was a very tough race and a tough turf track.”

Ryan Moore, jockey, Spanish Moon, 3rd: “He never lets you down. He just found two horses too good today.”

Julien Leparoux, jockey, Deem, 4th: “It was a very difficult race to win. She made a very nice run coming into the stretch and I thought for a minute I was going to win but she got a little tired. Still, it was a very good effort.”

Lanfranco Dettori, jockey, Cavalryman, 5th: “I don’t have any hard luck stories. He had a good position, he had his chance. Better horses beat him on the night.”

Ahmed Ajtebi, jockey, Eastern Anthem, 6th: “We couldn’t be too hard on him in the run-up to the race. I’m actually excited the way he ran. He’s been injured but he’s on the way back. I’m sure he’ll win good races in Europe this year. I’m happy.”

Salim Kaya, jockey, Pan River, 7th: “My horse is a good horse but there are some really, really good horses in this race. I had a good run. No problem.”

Kieren Fallon, jockey, Youmzain, 8th: “It’s difficult in a big field trying to ride a horse that needs to be held up. I was pushed out to the middle of the track.”

Ted Durcan, jockey, Campanologist, 9th: “He actually ran a solid race. I’m pleased.”

Richard Hills, jockey, Anmar, 11th: “No good. It’s one of those nights.”

Andrasch Starke, jockey, Quijano, 12th: “He’d like the ground a bit softer but that’s not really an excuse because he’s just not as quick these days.

Kevin Shea, jockey, Mourilyan, 13th: “I had a good trip. He didn’t go on with it.”

Christophe Soumillon, jockey, Golden Sword, 14th: “I had him in a nice position in second and then I led at the top of the straight and I thought I could stretch them, but he stopped on me really quickly and was well beaten in the end.”

Royston Ffrench, jockey, Jukebox Jury, 15th “He travelled well for me in third but he just didn’t pick up.”

Elvis Trujillo, jockey, Presious Passion, 16th : “He didn’t take to the course. It was just a little soft. He wasn’t way out in front like usual.”