NAD AL SHEBA-WORLD CUP NIGHT

Saturday, March 29, 2003

Weather: Fine. Dirt Track: Fast. Turf Track: Good

All races dirt unless stated.

Key: The figures beside the race conditions (ie 00-80) are for horses rated in that division and these figures are in pounds. The UAE Dirham (Dhs) is fixed at US$3.68.

Race One: Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group I). 2,000m.

Purebred Arabians. 5YOs & Upward.

Prizemoney: DhsUS$250,000. 1st: US$150,000. 2nd: US$50,000. 3rd: US$25,000.

4th: US$12,500. 5th: US$7,500. 6th: US$5,000.

1. BOPP MOON (GB) 57kg

1997 ch h Dormane - Duma (Naftalin)

Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Breeder: Mrs D Camp-Simpson

Trainer: K McLaughlin. Jockey: R Hills.

2. NEZ D`OR (FR) 57kg

1997 b h Dormane - Naiada Al Maury (Baroud III)

Owner: HH The President

Breeder: Ms Marie-Claude Biaudis

Trainer: J Smart. Jockey: W Smith.

3. JIYUSH (GB) 57kg

1997 b h Manganate - Ester du Paon (Cheri Bibi)

Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Breeder: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Trainer: G Duffield. Jockey: D Boeuf.

Then came (in order): Saklawi Jadrane (FR), Djelmidor (FR), Parador (FR), Monsieur Al Maury (FR), Djezebel (US), El Wodkine (SE), Al Reef (FR), Khoutoubia (FR), Daffaq (GB), Kashmane Du Volday (FR). 13 ran. Margins: 1.25len, 3len, Nk. Time: 2:15:78.

Comment: BOPP MOON found the ideal time to record his win in the Emirates, and this after overcoming an extremely tardy beginning. BOPP MOON had his first season in the Emirates in 2001/2002 and there was confidence surrounding him in last season`s Dubai Kahayla Classic however he disappointed when well back behind Nez D`Or. It was considered he was purely a turf horse and when he reappeared this season it was in Abu Dhabi and he was placed on his first two runs, behind Khoutoubia in the National Day Cup Prep and National Day Cup. Since then he has run on dirt and his form has been very good, finishing second on four of his five runs leading into this. On each occasion BOPP MOON had raced forward however after missing the start four lengths, he was forced to race back in the field however it was revealed after the event that the plan was to ride him back. It obviously benefited the horse as he continued to improve through each section of the race after a solid pace had been set. Favourite SAKLAWI JADRANE was again hard ridden from the 800m but unlike in the third round of the Maktoum Challenge when he continued to come and deny BOPP MOON, there was no such reoccurrence. He did give the impression that 2,400m would be his preferred trip. NEZ D`OR showed that he was back to near his best form, he did hit the front at the 200m and appeared set to defend his Dubai Kahayla Classic success of last season however BOPP MOON was to prove too strong. JIYUSH ran right up to his previous efforts this season to finish third with SAKLAWI JADRANE continuing to get to the line but never threatening when fourth.

Race Two: Godolphin Mile (Group II). 1,600m

Thoroughbreds. NH 4YOs+ & SH 3YOs+

Prizemoney: DhsUS$1,000,000. 1st: US$600,000. 2nd: US$200,000. 3rd: US$100,000. 4th: US$50,000. 5th: US$30,000. 6th: US$20,000. 1. FIREBREAK (GB) 57kg 1999 b c Charnwood Forest - Breakaway (Song)

Owner: Godolphin

Breeder: R P Williams

Trainer: Bin Suroor. Jockey: L Dettori

2. GREY MEMO (USA) 57kg

1997 gr/ro h Memo - B Mozelle (Snow Chief)

Owner: R Manzani, R Samo & Ridgeley Farm

Breeder: Ridgeley Farm

Trainer: W Stute. Jockey: K Desormeaux

3. ESTIMRAAR (USA) 57kg

1997 gr/ro g Holy Bull - Verbasle (Slewpy)

Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

Breeder: Robert N Clay & Stud TNT

Trainer: M Al Kurdi. Jockey: W Smith

Then came (in order): Cayoke (FR), Equerry (USA), MR John (USA), Essence Of Dubai (USA), Passport Pride (ARG), One More Round (USA), Easyfromthegitgo (USA), Love Regardless (USA), Que Expresion (ARG), Fabria (PER), Skoozi (NZ), Aramram (USA) [PU]. N/R Northern Rock (JPN). 16 ran. Margins: 0.75len, len, Nose. Time: 1:36:20. (Last 800m: 48.94).

Comment: Godolphin recaptured the title they had won for the first for years and their sixth Godolphin Mile in the last eight years, FIREBREAK a deserving winner of a feature in the Emirates. Last season he was nosed out of the Group III UAE 2000 Guineas before failing to stay the distance of the Derby and on his return this year he was unluckily beaten by Feet So Fast in the Al Shindagha Sprint on the turf. He was always placed handily here and when asked for his effort by Frankie Dettori at the top of the straight he dashed clear. There were plenty ready to challenge him including ESTIMRAAR and in the final 100m, last year`s winner GREY MEMO, however FIREBREAK was not to be denied this time and he held on to defeat GREY MEMO. GREY MEMO was gallant in defeat and there could be claims he could have won, he came from well back, like he did last year, however this time FIREBREAK had secured too big an advantage. ESTIMRAAR held on well for third and he has done very well this term, he ran on the opening night of the season and he in the final weeks he is still showing improvement, running against some quality milers here. He had to overcome a wide barrier to go forward and he was only a beaten horse in the final 50m. CAYOKE is a horse that usually sits in behind the pace however he jumped so well that he went straight to the front and he fought on well to finish fourth. ARAMRAM, who showed enigmatic tendencies as a three-year-old in France last year, was on that behaviour again here, shortly after the start he turned suddenly and refused to race before being pulled up by his rider Gary Hind after travelling 100m.

Race Three: UAE Derby (Group II) 2,000m

Thoroughbreds. 3YOs.

Prizemoney: DhsUS$2,000,000. 1st: US$1,200,000. 2nd: US$400,000. 3rd: US$200,000. 4th: US$100,000. 5th: US$60,000. 6th: US$40,000. 1. VICTORY MOON (SAF) 58kg 1999 b c Al Mufti - Dancing Flower (Dancing Champ)

Owner: Mad Syndicate

Breeder: Litchfield Stud Close Corp

Trainer: M de Kock. Jockey: W Smith

2. SONGLARK (GB) 54kg

2000 br c Singspiel - Negligent (Ahonoora)

Owner: Godolphin

Breeder: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Trainer: S bin Suroor. Jockey: K McEvoy

3. INAMORATO (USA) 54kg

2000 dk b/br c Tale Of The Cat - Be My Sweetheart (No Robbery)

Owner: Godolphin

Breeder: Bruce Hundley & Doug Arnold

Trainer: S bin Suroor. Jockey: L Dettori

Then came (in order): Outta Here (USA), Bourbonnais (IRE), Seattle Fitz (ARG), Lundy�s Lane (IRE), Baccarat (BRZ), Hard Buck (BRZ), Parhelion (GER), Tangeriano (ARG), Rahaf (USA), Peasant (ARG), Anasheed (USA). N/R: Byzantium (BRZ). 14 ran. Margins: 0.5len, 2.75len, 2.25len. Time: 2:02:45. (Last 800m: 48.94).

Comment: The Godolphin dominance on the UAE Derby was broken here as VICTORY MOON emulated ESSENCE OF DUBAI last year in completing the UAE2000 Guineas/UAE Derby double. In between VICTORY MOON had finished second to INAMORATO in the Al Bastakiya, this being the first year the races had been held as the Dubai Triple Crown. VICTORY MOON�s defeat in the Al Bastakiya was the first of his career and while he was beaten easily he was conceding six and a half kilograms to INAMORATO. He was two and a half kilograms better off here however he did have to reverse a six length defeat though connections were confident he could with a step up to 2,000m. In a UAE Derby where there were many hard luck stories, VICTORY MOON would have been considered extremely unlucky had he been beaten, overcoming an interrupted passage, before getting to the outside and then finishing to well to defeat SONGLARK. INAMORATO, favoured here after his runaway success in the Al Bastakiya was never out of trouble and has sound claims to say that he should have won, he was caught up behind a number of tiring horses approaching the home turn and there is no doubt he would have been much closer to the winner, if not beaten him, had he secured a clear passage. SONGLARK ran a magnificent race, beaten by a hard fit racehorse and only being denied in the final 50m. He had to overcome a wide draw and had he drawn in closer would have won. PARHELION, an impressive winner in maiden company leading into this, failed to stay while HARD BUCK was another victim of interference, getting shuffled back along the inside and hitting the inside running rail on a number of occasions. This was the second time the Derby had been run over 2,000m and VICTORY MOON has run the better of the two times, his 2:02.45 better than Essence Of Dubai�s 2:02.90 last year.

Race Four: Dubai Sheema Classic (Group I). 2,400m (Turf). Thoroughbreds. NH & SH 4YOs+

Prizemoney: DhsUS$2,000,000. 1st: US$1,200,000. 2nd: US$400,000. 3rd: US$200,000. 4th: US$100,000. 5th: US$60,000. 6th: US$40,000. 1. SULAMANI (IRE) 56kg 1999 b c Hernando - Soul Dream (Alleged)

Owner: Godolphin

Breeder: The Niarchos Family

Trainer: S bin Suroor. Jockey: L Dettori

2. ANGE GABRIEL (FR) 56kg

1998 gr h Kaldounevees - Mount Gable (Head For Heights)

Owner: Madam Devin

Breeder: Mme Henri Devin

Trainer: E Libaud. Jockey: T Jarnet

3. EKRAAR (USA) 56kg

1997 b c Red Ransom - Sacahuista (Raja Baba)

Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Breeder: Peter Brant

Trainer: M Tregoning. Jockey: R Hills

Then came (in order): Polish Summer (GB), Grand Ekinos (TUR), Nowrass (GB), Highest (IRE), Celtic Silence (GB), Pugin (IRE), Dano-Mast (GB), Morshdi (GB), Well Made (GER), Perfect Sunday (USA), Zindabad (FR), Califet (FR), Boreal (GER). 16 ran. Margins: 0.75len, 3.25len, 1.25len. Time: 2:27:67. (Last 800m: 48.73).

Comment: An absolutely awesome performance by a horse who will take all the beating in anything he contests anywhere in the world. This was a performance of quality by SULAMANI who ran down a gallant ANGE GABRIEL to give Godolphin their first win in this race since Stowaway`s win in 1998 when the event was known as the Dubai Turf Classic. Racing Manager Simon Crisford suggested SULAMANI had the potential to become Godolphin`s best horse and looking at this effort it is hard to argue. Godolphin had suffered frustrating defeats in this event with Nedawi in 1999, High-Rise in 2000 and Fantastic Light in 2001 but there were no such doubts here. Still, jockey Frankie Dettori claimed after the race he wasn�t happy with SULAMANI in the early stages saying the horse felt "scratchy" however after the race he described SULAMANI as awesome and that the horse had made three runs. Allowed to settle back in the field, SULAMANI`s performance is heightened by the fact that a number of other riders complaining about a lack of pace. SULAMANI came from near last off a slow pace, showing blistering acceleration, to win and win well, and running down a quality performer in ANGE GABRIEL in the process. SULAMANI`s performance in this was superior to recent winners in NAYEF, STAY GOLD and FANTASTIC LIGHT and the form from all of those events was subsequently proven in Group I company around the world. There is no doubt that that won�t be the case again here with ANGE GABRIEL and EKRAAR both more than capable of winning at the top level later in the year. Such was the devastating performance in this that despite an apparent lack of pace, according to some jockeys, SULAMANI set a new course record for this event. It will take a quality horse to beat him in Europe.

Race Five: Dubai Golden Shaheen (Group I). 1,200m Thoroughbreds. NH 4YOs+ & SH 3YOs+

Prizemoney: DhsUS$2,000,000. 1st: US$1,200,000. 2nd: US$400,000. 3rd: US$200,000. 4th: US$100,000. 5th: US$60,000. 6th: US$40,000. 1. STATE CITY (USA) 59kg 1999 b c Carson City - Wajna (Nureyev)

Owner: S M R M

Breeder: Darley Stud Management Inc

Trainer: P Rudkin. Jockey: M Hills

2. AVANZADO (ARG) 59kg

1997 ch h Luhuk - Avian Eden (Storm Bird)

Owner: Cee�s Stable LLC

Breeder: La Quebrada

Trainer: D O�Neill. Jockey: T Blaze

3. CAPTAIN SQUIRE (USA) 59kg

1999 b g Flying Chevron - Dolly�s Back (At The Threshold)

Owner: Bob Bone & Jeff Diener

Breeder: J D Farms

Trainer: J Mullin. Jockey: A Solis

Then came (in order): Belle Du Jour (AUS), My Cousin Matt (USA), Persuasivo Fitz (ARG), Conflict (FR), Conroy (USA), Mugharreb (USA), Nobel Prize (ARG).

N/R: Xtra Heat (USA). 12 ran. Margins: 0.75len, 1.75len, 1.75len. Time: 1:09:95 (Last 800m: 45.98).

Comment: STATE CITY turned around a disappointing performance in the Mahab Al Shimaal three weeks prior to this to break the American dominance on the Dubai Golden Shaheen and provide local trainer Paddy Rudkin with a first Group I success. STATE CITY had been impressive winning first-up on the dirt, disappointed on his next run on the turf but on a return to the dirt won the Jebel Ali Sprint. He then disappointed in the Mahab Al Shimaal but bounced back from that defeat to record a strong win here. Since the massive prizemoney injection into the Dubai Golden Shaheen, the event has been dominated by the Americans and it looked set to continue when AVANZADO burst to the front with 200m to go however STATE CITY produced his trademark finish to wear him down, get the better of him and go on and win comfortably. There is a case to suggest that AVANZADO was unlucky however no one could deny STATE CITY his success. CAPTAIN SQUIRE produced a strong effort to secure third while the Australian mare BELLE DU JOUR produced close to a career best with her fourth. On her first run on dirt, she ran very well to be up there with the leaders and when asked to quicken again was left a little but her run was very good. She will be more than competitive when she heads to Europe for the major sprint prizes there. The race was denied a great deal of interest with the withdrawal of the American mare Xtra Heat on the eve of the race however this was still a quality field and deserving of a Group I. CONROY, winner of the Mahab Al Shimaal on his previous effort, led in the early stages but could sustain the effort in finishing 10th while the horses he beat in the Mahab Al Shimaal, CONFLICT and PERSUASIVO FITZ, finished just in front of him in ninth and eighth.

Race Six: Dubai Duty Free (Group I). 1,777m (Turf) Thoroughbreds. NH 4YOs+ & SH 3YOs+

Prizemoney: DhsUS$2,000,000. 1st: US$1,200,000. 2nd: US$400,000. 3rd: US$200,000. 4th: US$100,000. 5th: US$60,000. 6th: US$40,000. 1. IPI TOMBE (ZIM) 55kg 1998 b f Manshood - Carnet De Danse (Dance In Time)

Owner: Team Valour, Winstar Farm & Sunmark Partners

Breeder: P J Moore

Trainer: M de Kock Jockey: K Shea

2. PAOLINI (GER) 57kg

1997 ch h Lando - Prairie Darling (Stanford)

Owner: Frau Carde Ostermann-Richter

Breeder: C Ostermann-Richter

Trainer: A Suborics. Jockey: A Suborics

3. ROYAL TRYST (USA) 57kg

1997 ch h Kingmambo - In On The Secret (Secretariat)

Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

Breeder: Earl H Schultz

Trainer: J Sadler. J Murtagh

Then came (in order): Eventuail (ARG), Masterful (USA), Sights On Gold (IRE), Naheef (IRE), Imtiyaz (USA), King of Happiness (USA), St Expedit (GB), Itaquere Power (BRZ), Blizz Bless (ARG). 12 ran. Margins: 3len, 4len, 4.5len. Time: 1:47:61. (Last 800m: 48.24). Objection second against first withdrawn. Objection third against second dismissed.

Comment: Another explosive performance from the champion Zimbabwean-bred mare IPI TOMBE and a possible clash with America`s champion Azeri awaits as she heads to the USA from Dubai. IPI TOMBE has been absolutely brilliant in her three Dubai efforts, in the Listed Al Fahidi Fort, the Group III Jebel Hatta and now the Group I Dubai Duty Free and each win suggests that she just keeps getting better. Drawn in barrier three, IPI TOMBE was expected to go forward from the inside draw however she was allowed to settle and was worse than midfield as ST EXPEDIT took them along at a comfortable pace. Shortly after straightening EVENTUAIL went to the front and created a gap however the challengers were lining up behind and IPI TOMBE�s presence loomed large on the outside. She raced up on the outside as PAOLINI got to EVENTUAIL however IPI TOMBE and ROYAL TRYST were making their runs. IPI TOMBE got to PAOLINI with ROYAL TRYST going back to the fence while SIGHTS ON GLD had got through along the rail. PAOLINI did drift in in the final 100m and hampered ROYAL TRYST and SIGHTS ON GOLD however IPI TOMBE out wide was to prove too good. An objection from PAOLINI�S rider against the winner IPI TOMBE was withdrawn while the objection from he rider of ROYAL TRYST against PAOLINI was dismissed. There is no doubt that ROYAL TRYST should have finished closer however all credit must go to IPI TOMBE who had proven too good for these on their previous meetings. The mare created a new race record for the Dubai Duty Free, her 1:47.61 being the fastest of the three Dubai Duty Frees run over the 1,777m course. This will also prove a very strong form race for subsequent events later in the year, there is now doubt that IPI TOMBE is a class act while PAOLINI was running in his 16th successive Group I event here. ROYAL TRYST is a more than reliable guide and deserved his Group I placing in this while SIGHTS ON GOLD again produced a very good run on only his second run for Godolphin and is capable of winning in the top grade in Europe later in the year. IMTIYAZ was disappointing, appearing to have every chance however he dropped out in the final 400m.

Race Seven: Dubai World Cup (Group I). 2,000m.

Thoroughbreds. NH 4YOs+ & SH 3YOs+

Prizemoney: DhsUS$6,000,000. 1st: US$3,600,000. 2nd: US$1,200,000. 3rd: US$600,000. 4th: US$300,000. 5th: US$180,000. 6th: US$120,000. 1. MOON BALLAD (IRE) 57kg 1999 ch c Singspiel - Velvet Moon (Shaadi)

Owner: Godolphin

Breeder: Newgate Stud Co

Trainer: S bin Suroor. Jockey: L Dettori

2. HARLAN�S HOLIDAY (USA) 57kg

1999 b c Harlan - Christmas in Aiken (Affirmed)

Owner: Starlight Stable

Breeder: Double D Farm Corp

Trainer: T Pletcher. Jockey: J Velazquez

3. NAYEF (USA) 57kg

1998 b c Gulch - Height Of Fashion (Bustino)

Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Breeder: Shadwell Farm Inc

Trainer: M Tregoning. Jockey: R Hills

Then came (in order): Grandera (IRE), State Shinto (USA), Grundlefoot (USA), Blue Burner (ARG), Sei Mi (ARG), Aquarelliste (FR), Crimson Quest (IRE), Hans Anderson (USA). 11 ran. Margins: 5len, len, Sht hd. Time: 2:00:48 (Last

800m: 47.77).

Comment: Just hours after Sulamani, Godolphin produced another horse ready to conquer with MOON BALLAD`s devastating display to give the stable their fourth win in the Dubai World Cup and their 97th Group I success. Only Dubai Millennium has dominated a Dubai World Cup like this, MOON BALLAD taking control of the race at about the 1,000m and then outing it beyond doubt just 400m later. As the field turned for home, there was just one horse in it and he had horses of the calibre of HARLAN�S HOLIDAY, NAYEF, GRANDERA and AQUARELLISTE in his wake. Together that quartet had won 11 Group Is between them but they were made to fight over the minors as MOON BALLAD turned this Dubai World Cup into a one act affair. As expected MOON BALLAD got across to be just off the pace but the early stages of this Dubai World Cup wasn�t as quickly run as in previous years however MOON BALLAD showed his class with a devastating final 800m in 47.77 seconds which meant those coming from behind found it impossible to beat him. HARLAN�S HOLIDAY produced a very strong performance to finish second, holding off NAYEF and GRANDERA in the run to the line, both the third and fourth probably needing more speed on in the race however it is doubtful whether they would have beaten the winner had there been early pace. STATE SHINTO again produced a quality performance to finish fifth, with GRUNDLEFOOT sixth and both the fourth, fifth and sixth have run up to their previous meetings in the third round of the Maktoum Challenge. AQUARELLISTE didn`t appear to be totally at home on the dirt surface and she eventually dropped out of the race to finish ninth. In winning the eighth Dubai World Cup, MOON BALLAD emulated his sire, Singspiel, who won the event in 1997, and like his sire he has shown that he is equally adept on the dirt as well as the turf. A quality performer, MOON BALLAD will be competitive in anything Godolphin try him in for the remainder of the year.