Invasor wins Dubai World Cup

The World Cup trophy was presented by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to his brother Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry.

The race turned into a two-way battle between Invasor and Premium Tap after the Godolphin’s unbeaten Discreet Cat ran disappointingly and trailed last in the seven-runner field. Invasor clocked the second best time and became only the second horse to win the 2,000 metres race in under two minutes after Dubai Millennium, who holds the record time of 1.59.50.

Ridden confidently by 19-year-old Panamanian jockey Fernando Jara, the Candy Stripes colt progressed smoothly from the outside to join the runaway leader Premium Tap, and then pulled away for a convincing 1-3/4 lengths victory, his 11^th from 12 starts. The first two horses were eight lengths clear of the field.

It also gave a second DWC crown to Shaikh Hamdan after Al Mutawakel’s victory in 1999. Shaikh Hamdan said: “It’s difficult to compare Invasor with my other horses as I have had several good ones in Europe, but a horse that wins in Dubai must surely rank among my best.”

Premium Tap was difficult to load but he was first out of the gate as he set cracking pace under Kent Desormeaux. Forty Licks was in close pursuit with Bullish Luck, on the inside, in third.

Invasor raced in fourth and continued to progress on the outside before drawing alongside Premium Tap. The two went clear from the final bend to turn the race into a two-horse battle.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said the result was the best reward he could have ever given owner Shaikh Hamdan. “The Maktoum family has been great for racing and Shaikh Hamdan has been my biggest supporter when I trained in Dubai for 10 years since 1993.”

McLaughlin added: “We were confident Invasor will run a big race but I got a bit worried when Premium Tap dug in and kept coming at Invasor.

He surely ran a good race but Invasor showed what a good horse he is tonight.” Jara, who was recording his fifth win on the Candy Stripe colt, said he had already won the race even before it started. “I was very confident and he ran well.”

Result: 9.30pm Emirates Dubai World Cup 2,000m (10-f)-(D) Thoroughbreds Group-1 $6,000,000: 1. Inavsor, Kiaran McLaughlin, Fernando Jara; 2. Premium Tap, John Kimmel, Kent Desormeaux; 3. Bullish Luck, Tony Cruz, Brett Pebble. Winner owned by Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Value to winning owner $3,600,000. Time. 1.59.97 Distance: 1-3/4lengths, 8L, 5-1/4L. 7-ran.

• UAE