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| Staff Writer |
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Mohammed Obaida, the Emirati owner, celebrated a significant milestone as his two-time Group One winner Dubai Honour clinched his first top-tier victory in Europe.
Under the skillful guidance of jockey Tom Marquand, the William Haggas-trained 6YO Pride Of Dubai gelding displayed remarkable courage as he contended with a group of top mid-distance runners in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
Following back-to-back Group One wins in Australia last autumn, including the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick and the Rosehill's Ranvet Stakes, Dubai Honour made a successful seasonal debut in the Listed Magnolia Stakes.
However, his luck waned when he finished seventh at Sha Tin, behind Romantic Warrior in the Gr. 1 QE II Cup for the second consecutive year.
Haggas promptly sent his seasoned competitor to the Gr.2 Grand Prix de Chantilly earlier this month after his third-place finish, which served as ideal preparation for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, where he emerged victorious following a well-executed ride by Marquand.
Marquand strategically guided Dubai Honour to a ground-saving position, allowing him to maintain a steady pace set by Outbox. As they turned for home, Marquand and Dubai Honour sought out space as they approached the finish line, contending with competitors such as Aidan O’Brien’s Point Lonsdale ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal, and Feed The Flame, trained by Pascal Bary and ridden by Alexis Pouchin. While the competition was fierce, Dubai Honour showed impressive strength and surged ahead 200m from the finish, comfortably securing a victory by a length and three-quarters.
Feed The Flame finished second, with Point Lonsdale narrowly behind in third.
Maureen Haggas said: “He seemed to enjoy himself and to stay the trip really well, it’s great because it gives us another option. He’s in lots of Group Ones all over the place, William will decide where he goes. He’s a star, every time he gives his all and he’s one of those horses we’d love 10 of them, but they are hard to come by.”