Irish-Bred horses stole the show at Meydan on Saturday where PRINCE BISHOP (IRE) took the feature Group 1 Dubai World Cup. Earlier in the card, the Mike de Kock-trained MUBTAAHIJ (IRE) was a runaway winner of the Group 2 UAE Derby. The Irish-bred son of Dubawi has really taken to the dirt surface at Meydan having won three of his four starts at the carnival. The three-year-old is now on target to line up in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. The style in which he won was most impressive having been eased down on the line and still winning the world’s richest dirt race for three-year-olds by eight lengths. MUBTAAHIJ (IRE) was bred in Ireland by Bernard Barsi’s Dunmore Stud and was sold to Jehan Malherbe on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum. He is a half-brother to four winners including Group 1 Prix de l’Opera winner Lily Of The Valley.

A ferocious gallop was set in the feature Group 1 Dubai World Cup with the eventual winner PRINCE BISHOP (IRE) racing in the rear detached racing into the first bend. William Buick sent his mount wide to escape the kickback and he came flying home off the final bend beating California Chrome. Bred in Ireland by Thurso Ltd, PRINCE BISHOP (IRE) is also by Dubawi who stood at Darley’s Kildangan Stud. Irish-Bred horses are renowned for their success on turf but collected the honours in two of the four dirt races. PRINCE BISHOP (IRE) has won ten races including the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan last season.

Only one Irish-trained horse lined up at this year’s Dubai World Cup, sprint supremo Eddie Lynam saddled his globetrotting sprinter Sole Power to win the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint. The eight-year-old was making his fifth straight appearance in the sprint but was too strong for Irish-bred Peniaphobia (IRE). Sole Power has now own five Group 1 races winning over €2.5 million in prize-money.

Brown Panther, winner of the Irish St. Leger at the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend was another impressive winner of the 2 mile Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup. The Michael Owen homebred is by Shirooco who stands at Rathbarry Stud in Co. Cork. Irish Champion Stakes winner The Grey Gatsby (IRE) ran a fantastic race but was well held by the Freddy Head-trained Solow.