Sajjhaa, the revelation of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, completed an unbeaten four-timer for Godolphin at Meydan by smashing her own course and distance record when it meant the most, in the Group 1 US$5m Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free.

Never worse than third as Gary Stevens enjoyed an uncontested lead on Little Mike, Silvestre De Sousa held his rails position on Sajjhaa and made his move past the leader at the same time as the Mike de Kock-trained pair Igugu and The Apache, 350 metres from the finish.

Igugu was the first to crack, and although The Apache stayed on stoutly, he had no answer to Sajjhaa, a second winner on the card for Godolphin, Saeed bin Suroor and De Sousa after their Dubai Gold Cup success with Cavalryman.

Sajjhaa came home a length a half clear, while The Apache had three-quarters of a length to spare over the late-finishing French-trained filly Giofra, with Trade Storm, another Carnival success story, edging out Igugu for fourth place.

The winner’s time of 1min 47.93sec broke her own record of 1min 48.58sec, set when she won the Group 2 Balanchine on her second start of the Carnival, since when she had stepped out of all-female company for the first time in Dubai in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta.

Silvestre, who took the lead in the Dubai World Cup Carnival jockeys’ championship with this win, said: “She’s a wonderful filly, full of heart, and it was a great performance. She’s just improved and improved since she came here.”

Discussing the race, he added: “I had a good position early on and she made her way through on the inside. She’s very tough and genuine, and I’m very pleased for her.”

Originally trained by the late Michael Jarvis, Sajjhaa was bred by the Darley stud operation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who was first into the parade ring to greet the six-year-old King’s Best mare.

Quotes for the Group 1 US$5m Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free

Silvestre De Sousa (Sajjhaa, 1st) – "It was a great performance. This filly is now 4 for 4 (in Dubai); she's just improved and improved since she came here. I had a good position early on and she made her way through on the inside. She's very tough and so genuine. I'm very pleased."

Christophe Soumillon (The Apache, 2nd) – “I was very pleased with the run. My plan was to have my horse a little bit closer tonight. The winner was on the rail and I’d hoped she’d be kept there but a gap opened on the inside and I knew it was all over for me. The winner is very good.”

Maxime Guyon (Giofra, 3rd) – “There was enough pace for my filly to relax. We didn’t go that fast but she didn’t pull and she produced a nice turn of foot. For her first start, this was a really good performance.”

Alain De Royer-Dupre (trainer Giofra, 3rd) – “I was very pleased with her run as she wasn’t quite ready as she had had a slightly interrupted preparation so her run was very good.”

Anthony Delpech (Igugu, 5th) – “I had a nice position in second. She battled away really well in the straight. She gave me everything but I think she wants further now.”

Hayley Turner (I'm a Dreamer, 7th) – “I had a nice position on the rail around mid-field. I have no excuses.”

Ryan Moore (Wigmore Hall, 8th) – “He ran okay. We went back from the wide gate. There was pace to suit and he stayed on alright.”

Olivier Peslier (French Fifteen, 9th) – “I would have preferred more pace. There were two races – those who were stuck on the rail and the others. This was only his second race since his injury. I think he’ll be a different horse next time.”

Paul Hanagan (Mushreq, 10th) – “We were pushed out wide all of the way, which did not help me as he’s the sort of horse where the draw means a lot.”

Gary Stevens (Little Mike, 11th) – “I set a nice pace. They really quickened it up and around the three and a half and they buried us in the stretch. They came to me quicker than I thought and they got away from me.”

John Murtagh (Ocean Park, 12th) – “They quickened up and I didn’t.”

Ahmed Ajtebi (Fulbright, 13th) – “No excuse. I think the horse was a little bit tired because he was traveling well but didn’t pick the bridle up.”

Kieren Fallon (Aesop's Fables, 14th) – “He didn’t stay. Traveled really well. It was just the extra quarter mile. He’s more of a miler.”

Image: DRC/Watkins