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Magnificent Musir Wins UAE Derby

DUBAI - Musir, Christophe Soumillon up, scored a record time victory ahead of stable companion Raihana in the UAE Derby.

Keagan Lathan set steady pace with Solid Choice as Soumillon put Musir at the tail of the field before he picked up in the home turn with two furlongs to go. Stable companion Raihana, under Kevin Shea, was always going well and she went to lead as the post loomed up. Musir was into the clear and he responded keenly when the Belgian said go. Raihan was caught close home and Musir kicked away to cross the finish line.

Afterwards Christophe Soumillon said, “I was on a very good horse, and he showed a lot of courage in the straight. He had lot of weight and was racing over further than he’s been before. I was able to sit behind good horses. He had to go through a gap and he did. He finished like a really good horse.

A delighted Mike de Kock said of his fifth UAE Derby winner: I wasn’t sure that he would stay, to be honest, but Christophe (Soumillon) thought he would, and he was right.

It is fantastic to have a one two for Shaikh Mohammed, and a great result for him as he bred them himself. It’s huge.

Kevin Shea was full of praise for the runner up Raihana. “What can I say? She was absolutely brilliant. She travelled so well, I thought I was going to win, but not against Musir – he was just too good.”

Frankie Dettori fared best of the rest aboard Godolphin’s Mendip, and said: “We had a mix up on the bend, when Timely Jazz broke down, but he ran an honest race and I’m pleased with him. He was beaten by two nice horses.”

hisham@khaleejtimes.com