A milestone could have ended in disappointment for the host team were it not for the old warhorse Prince Bishop and the new Godolphin rider William Buick.
With eight of the nine races done and dusted at the 20th anniversary Dubai World Cup meeting, the Godolphin team had all but lost hope of a victory on the night.
The only race remaining was the grand finale Dubai World Cup in which they had African Story, the reigning champion, and Prince Bishop.
Those two faced a daunting task against American stars California Chrome and Lea and Japanese duo Hokko Tarumae and Epiphaneia in the nine-horse line-up over the 2,000-metre journey on the Meydan dirt.
African Story had the extra burden of trying to become the first horse to win the world’s richest race twice.
Prince Bishop, who had shown recent good form, had, however, been well beaten in three attempts in four years in the race.
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The Godolphin runners remained long shots, as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, conceded at the post-race interview.
“We hoped for Prince Bishop and African Story but we thought that the Americans would win,” said the founder and driving force behind the Dubai racing operation.
“We are all enjoying the races and this result was a pleasant surprise.”
Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who has saddled runners in every edition of the Dubai World Cup, said it was a “great result”, which extended his record of victories in the world’s richest race to seven.
“I told William Buick that I knew the horse had the ability and the class to win the race and he should try to keep him handy but, as usual, Prince Bishop jumped slowly,” Bin Suroor said.
“William is a very good jockey. He looked after the horse, never gave up and won really well.
“Some horses improve with age; they become really tough and try really hard. It was great to see Prince Bishop win again.”
Bin Suroor said he was pleased for the horse’s owner, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, who on Sunday announced that had donated his US$6 million (Dh22m) prize from the race to the Dubai Austism Centre.
“It’s great for me, for everybody here and everybody who loves horse racing,” Bin Suroor said.
Reflecting on the race, Buick said his experience of riding Prince Bishop at his two starts before Saturday in two legs of the Maktoum Challenge had been helpful.
“We had a lot of ground to make up, but he has raced the same way in the last two Maktoum Challenges, so I sort of expected it,” Buick said.
“We got on the back of California Chrome going into the last turn but Prince Bishop travelled very well and picked up in the straight.
“He has improved for his last two runs. He is a very tough horse with a huge heart and gave me his all.
“We had quite a bit of kickback but you have to admire a horse like Prince Bishop. He has plenty of quality, has never run a bad race in his whole life and it was no surprise to see him win this race.
“Local experience counts for a lot and he stays, while a few of them were doubtful stayers. It was a very good win.
“We brushed by California Chrome, but I had to time it because I know how good that horse is.
“I went into the race thinking that California Chrome could be a doubtful stayer so, when I went I was going to go and stretch my horse and make him work. At the end of the day, the best horse and the horse that stayed won.”
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