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Watson-O'Shea Partnership Delivers Million-Dollar Victory
First Classs delivered a performance of breathtaking quality to claim the Gr.1 Dubai Kahayla Classic at Meydan, cementing his status as the premier Arabian racehorse in training and continuing his remarkable dominance in Arabian racing.
The 6YO gelding, trained by six-time UAE champion Doug Watson for American owner Deborah Mihaloff's Cre Run Farm, powered to a commanding two-length victory under a perfectly judged ride from champion jockey Tadhg O'Shea in the US$1.5 million contest.
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Watson's Faith Rewarded
Doug Watson's meticulous preparation and unwavering faith in First Classs was justified as the talented son of Al Mamun Monlau added yet another world-class victory to his already impressive resume.
"He was never quite right last year. He had a nice summer in the UK and got to just be a horse for a couple of months," Watson revealed afterwards. "He's been thriving all season and his Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi Gold Cup) win in February showed he was back to his brilliant best."
First Classs, who previously captured three million-dollar races in 2022 including this very contest, looked a picture of health in the parade ring. The transformation from earlier campaigns was evident, with O'Shea praising his mount's mental fortitude.
"He's not the easiest horse, which is why he was gelded, but his class is undeniable," O'Shea said. "We got a lovely position tracking the pace, and when I asked him to go, he showed a devastating turn of foot."
Arabian Racing's Global Appeal Showcased
The Kahayla Classic once again highlighted the growing international appeal of Arabian racing, with runners from five different countries contesting the prestigious opener on Dubai World Cup night.
Saudi Arabia's Tilal Al Khalediah ran on strongly for second under Adel Al Furaydi, while local hope Mubeed represented the UAE admirably in third for trainer Jaber Bittar and jockey Ray Dawson.
First Classs' remarkable journey exemplifies the evolution of Arabian racing on the global stage. Owner Mihaloff, a passionate advocate for the breed, reflected on the sport's rapid development: "When you think that Thoroughbred racing took almost 100 years to reach a huge purse of a million dollars, Arabians already have US$7 million races, and we're in our infancy."
The victory caps a phenomenal World Cup meeting for Watson's Red Stables, with the American handler having prepared his fantastic four contenders to peak perfectly for racing's richest night.