Debuting his title as the world's best horse in 2024, the son of Into Mischief lost almost on the line to an opponent that looked better than ever
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special to Turf Diario) - One of the great attractions of the Fashion Friday at Meydan was the return of Laurel River, the hero of the Dubai World Cup (G1) in 2024 and who, a few hours earlier, had been consecrated by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) as the best horse in the world last season, along with City of Troy (Justify).
The remarkable son of Into Mischief seemed to have everything served on a platter in the Firebreak Stakes (G3-1600 m, sand), facing rivals with lowers race records. However, things did not go as his connections intended and Juddmonte Farm's bay suffered an unexpected defeat against the 8-year-old King Gold, who, ridden by Adrie de Vries, caught up with him in the finish line to beat him by a narrow margin, with Cagliostro (Upstart) in third on a similar line, all after 1m36s70/100.
With Tadhg O'Shea on the irons, Laurel River set the pace early on and opened up a wide gap on the right. However, from the 400 meters began to slacken the rhythm, in the 200 meters it seemed that would be able to keep the first place, but in the final stages his defeat seemed a sure thing.
“I was shouting for second and so happy to be second to the world champion and then I couldn’t believe it, I won!” said an elated Marine Henry, wife and assistant to trainer Nicolas Caullery, who rides King Gold each day.
“He tried the dirt in 2022 and went so well on it so I’ve been saying since then we should go back on it. Today I was hoping he could be third as he felt so well to me in the morning.
“We will go for the G2 Godolphin Mile now and maybe run on Super Saturday [G3 Burj Nahaar] too.”
As for Laurel River, connections plan to proceed with their plan to go to the Saudi Cup, with Douglas Erskine Crum, Chief Executive of owners Juddmonte, saying: “He’s a very fast horse and he was very brave there, maybe a little too enthusiastic!
“We’ll go to the Saudi Cup – see you in Riyadh!”
