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Adian O’Brien’s glamorous globetrotting stable star, Mogul gets ready to prove his class in the Middle East in the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic, going up against the US$20m Saudi Cup winner Mishriff.
O'Brien recently won his third Gr.1 Hong Kong Vase when the son of Galileo beat the 2018 Vase winner and reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Exultant by three lengths in one of the most exciting finishes seen in recent history at Sha Tin.
The European-trained runner in the nine-strong field, headlined by 2021 US$20m Saudi Cup winner Mishriff who will return to turf for the Gr.1 race. It will be the colt’s first run at a mile and a half.
The decision was announced by trainer John Gosden, who told the Racing Post: “This morning we’ve accepted an invitation for Mishriff to run in the Dubai Sheema Classic. He’s a versatile horse and we’ve always wanted to try him over this trip of a mile and a half. This will then give him plenty of time for a break before tackling Royal Ascot in June and the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown the following month.”
Another horse to beat is Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby will be looking to complete his three-peat in this Gr.1 spectacle with Walton Street who gained the biggest success of his career so far when comfortably beating Dubai Future, Desert Fire and Brilliant Light in the Gr.2 Dubai City Of Gold on Super Saturday. Appleby has previously won the US$6m feature race with Hawkbill and Old Persian.
After Mogul’s win at Sha Tin, O’Brien has believed the 4YO’s is a harbinger of things to come in 2021.
“Ryan says he’s really matured and is really improving. He’s got a very solid mind,” he told SCMP. “Highland Reel loved travelling and this colt is the same so he’s a really lovely horse to look forward to as a four-year-old next year.”
The Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic win will emphatically underline Moghul’s claims as heir apparent to Ballydoyle’s throne.
The son of Galileo, Mogul has long been touted as the next world-beater to emerge from O’Brien’s yard.
” For a man who has been part of horse racing at the highest level, he is not one to be pressured or awed by the spotlight.
“Each horse is different. We take things one race at a time. We take our time, said O’Brien “We let them tell us what it is they want to do.”
One of the greatest racing conglomerate Coolmore has put their trust in the man with the lilting Irish accent, who they know will do right by the one thing that matters, the horses.