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| Staff Writer |
First Conquest demonstrated his growing potential with an impressive victory in the Gr.3 Dubai Millennium Stakes (sponsored by Emaar) at Meydan on Friday evening, providing Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby with their 12th success in the race named after one of their former champions.
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Under a confident ride from William Buick, the 4YO son of Teofilo settled at the rear of the field as Dolayli set the early pace. Despite the rail position potentially compromising hold-up tactics, Buick's patience paid dividends as First Conquest produced a devastating turn of foot in the closing stages.
Sweeping seven wide into the straight, First Conquest powered past his rivals to secure a length and a quarter victory over Cairo, with Highbank a further length and a half back in third. The winning time for the 2000m turf contest was recorded at 2:00.69.
The gelding has shown remarkable progression since breaking his maiden at Newmarket last April, following up with consecutive handicap victories at the same venue in June and July. A well-judged break preceded his emphatic return in a Meydan handicap on January 10, setting the stage for this successful step up to Pattern company.
"I wanted to ride him like Mickael Barzalona did last time, that's how he likes to be ridden," said Buick. "The pace wasn't strong by any means and when the rail is out like that it's hard to come from the back, so he's done very well. He's a horse really going up the grades."
The victory marked the highlight of a stellar evening for the Godolphin operation, who dominated the turf features with a remarkable treble. Mountain Breeze, a well-bred half-sister to multiple Group One winner Pintatubo, initiated the sequence with an emphatic six-and-a-half length victory in the inaugural Mawj Stakes for 3YO fillies over 1400m.
Buick was impressed with Mountain Breeze's performance, noting: "She was entitled to win and win as she did. I was really pleased with what she did as she was a very early 2YO and won in May over 1000m. Now she's won over 1400m and 1600m will be fine. I'd imagine the Jumeirah 1000 Guineas, on Super Saturday, 1 March, will be the plan. It's such a lovely programme for the 3YOs out here."
The treble was completed when Romantic Style proved dropping back in trip was the key to success in the Listed Dubai Sprint. The 4YO filly, beaten favourite in the Group Two Cape Verdi over 1600m last time, showed her true colors with a commanding two-and-a-half length victory over Haasim.
First Conquest's success further enhances the reputation of his sire Teofilo, who now has 118 stakes winners to his name, including 68 at group level and 24 Group/Grade One winners worldwide. The gelding is out of the Dubawi mare Patroness, herself a sibling to Group One winner Poet's Voice. His victory adds to the impressive record of the Teofilo-Dubawi cross, which has produced Melbourne Cup hero Without A Fight among others.
The evening also marked a significant milestone for jockey Richie Mullen, who secured his 600th UAE winner aboard Hallasan in the Jumeirah Guineas Trial. "The first one was for Godolphin back in 2000, when I won the Al Fahidi Fort on Grazalema," said a delighted Mullen. "It seems appropriate that number 600 is for the same firm. I owe the Maktoum family an awful lot, both publicly, in my career, and privately in that my children have grown up here."
Other notable performances on the card included Guns And Glory, who broke the 2200m dirt track record in the Emaar South Handicap under Tadhg O'Shea, powering to a ten-length victory over Inner Wisdom. Smart System provided trainer Ali Al Badwawi with his first success of the season in the opening Oasis by Emaar Handicap under Bernardo Pinheiro.
The success of First Conquest in the Dubai Millennium Stakes, a race that pays tribute to one of Godolphin's greatest champions who sadly sired only one crop before succumbing to grass sickness, carried particular significance. His commanding performance, coupled with his progressive profile, suggests further Pattern race success could be on the horizon as he continues to climb through the ranks for the powerful Godolphin operation.
Looking ahead, Meydan will host another eight-race card on Friday, February 7, featuring the Lord Glitters Handicap and the Dubai Trophy as the headline events.