Victoire Pisa wins the 2011 Dubai World Cup

March 26, 2011

The $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1), sponsored by Emirates Airline, is the world's richest horse race. A full field of 14 older horses went 2000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) around two turns of the 1750 meter (about 1 1/8 mile) Tapeta synthetic oval, before a record crowd of 81,164 at Meydan on Saturday night, with Twice Over sent off as the 9-5 favorite off 2 straight wins, in the Champion Stakes (G1) at Newmarket in October and the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G2), the major local prep for the World Cup.

In to challenge him included 4-1 second choice Gio Ponti, runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) last out, and 7-1 Buena Vista, the only female in the race, second in the Arima Kinen (G1) last out after being disqualified from first in the Japan Cup (G1).

Jockey Shinji Fujita sent Transcend to the lead first time past the stands and he set easy early fractions of 26.70 and 53.10, while being pressed by Cape Blanco the whole way. Monterosso and Gitano Hernando stalked the leading pair third and fourth, while favorite Twice Over sat in mid pack under jockey Tom Queally. Transcend continued to lead into the stretch, but 17-1 Victoire Pisa, who raced at the back of the field early, was sent outside for room by jockey Mirco Demuro at the 9/16 pole and steadily gained on the leaders. With 3/16 remaining, Victoire Pisa drew even with the pacesetter, and pulled away in the final furlong to win by 1/2 a length in 2:05.94 over the fast track, completing an all-Japan exacta. It was another 1/4 length back to Monterosso third, 1/4 to Cape Blanco fourth, and 3/4 to the top American finisher Gio Ponti fifth.

Favorite Twice Over failed to show any rally and finished a disappointing 9th.

Results Chart for the race from Racing Post which incluces a link to the video replay.

Dubai Duty Free and the rest of the undercard stakes

Celebrating with the trophy

Victoire Pisa is the first Japanese-trained horse to win the Dubai World Cup. Owner Yoshimi Ichikawa said, "It is a great souvenir to take back to Japan. I was very worried during the race as I didn't know what would happen. I really appreciate the support we have had from all the people in Japan."
Trainer Katsuhiko Sumii added, "To win the richest race in the world when Japan is going through a tough time is fantastic.

I felt the whole country was backing me. This win will bring a lot of hope and bring smiles to Japanese people. Near the finish of the race, I was screaming 'miracle'."

Victoire Pisa in the winner's enclosure

Winning jockey Mirco Demuro said, "My horse usually has a good start, but this time he hit his head in the stall and we had a bad start. But maybe it was lucky because there was a slow pace on the backstretch, so I could find a good position close to the leader. It was a really tight finish. We always believe in him. He's won his last race very easy giving two kilos away. He's a very nice horse. We were hoping to do well, but to win is amazing."

Second place finisher Transcend

Jockey Shinji Fujita said, "The horse was shying with the track but he did a very good job. To be beaten by another Japanese runner is an amazing result and a great one for everyone at home."

Third place finisher Monterosso

Jockey Mickael Barzalona said, "I'm really delighted with his run but I wish I had more room because I'm sure I could have finished second. The lack of pace worked in my favour because this is not really his trip." Trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni added, "He was a bit unlucky as he didn't get the gaps, but he is a nice horse and it was a good run."

Ninth place finisher and beaten favorite Twice Over

Jockey Tom Queally said, "It was a messy race for everyone and I never got into it at any stage." Trainer Henry Cecil added, "They went very slowly and he couldn't get anywhere. It's disappointing, but that's the way it goes. They slowed it up and shuffled him out at the back and he wants to come off a nice strong pace. He was very well today and I don't like making excuses, but the race went all wrong."

Rewilding wins the 2011 Sheema Classic

The $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), sponsored by China Guangsha, is the last of three turf races held on Dubai World Cup night. A field of 14 older horses went 2410 meters (about 1 1/2 miles), one lap of the turf oval at Meydan Racecourse. Goldolphin-owned Rewilding was sent off as the 3-1 favorite, unraced since finishing 6th in the St. Leger (G1) at Doncaster in September after winning the Great Voltigeur (G2) at York.

In to challenge him included 5-1 second choice Champ Pegasus from the U.S., winner of the San Luis Obispo (G2) at Santa Anita last out, and 6-1 third choice Redwood, second in the Hong Kong Vase (G1) last out after finishing third in the Canadian International (G1) at Woodbine.

Jockey Christophe Soumillon sent Rulership to the lead first time past the stands and led the tightly packed field most of the way around, while being pressed by Laaheb and Deem down the backstretch. Frankie Dettori kept favorite Rewilding covered up in mid-pack. Turning for home, the pacesetters continued to lead but Rewilding came through to pass them as they tired, taking over the lead from Rulership at the 1/8 pole, then drew off late to win by 3 1/4 lengths over late-running Redwood in a time of 2:29.01 over good turf. It was another 1/4 length back to Calvados Blues third.

Results Chart for the race from Racing Post which incluces a link to the video replay.

Rewilding in the winner's enclosure

Winning trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni said, "He's a really big horse and that will take a lot out of him. We have to treat him very carefully like a filly. Simon Crisford and the boss will decide (his next start), but there are plenty of options including the Coronation Cup."

The trophy presentation for the Sheema Classic

Winning jockey Frankie Dettori said, "It was just a fantastic feeling. He got me out wide early on and was a bit lazy, but won really well in the end. Him being fresh is a good thing. He hit a flat part at the top of the stretch, but once we worked through the gears – he ran on well."

Third place finisher Calvados Blues

Jockey Michael Hills said, "Fantastic. It's a huge run from the horse. I had to work to keep position on him on the turn but I think there's still more big races in this horse. I couldn't give him the breather I wanted because I had to hold my position, but it was a very honest run and he'll improve for it."

Trainer Roger Varian said, "We had a run for our money.He took the trip very well so an international campaign in the autumn might be the thing after we've aimed at one or two nice summer prizes."
Jockey Ahmed Ajtebi added, "Some slow horses in front of me stopped and I didn't want to push Frankie out because we're a team. I tried to go inside but they closed the gap on me."