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| Staff Writer |
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Mendelssohn Bay, the impressive 2024 UAE 2000 Guineas winner, is set to contest the Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night. Paul Ebbs, Managing Owner of the Suited & Booted Syndicate, has unveiled aspirations that position the talented colt for a potential tilt at the US$12 million Dubai World Cup next season.
“He belongs in elite company. We're delighted to have the opportunity to campaign Mendelssohn Bay in such a high-calibre race on World Cup night," says Ebbs.
The gelding was fourth behind Forever Young last season in the UAE Derby and secured one win in the Dubai Islands Stakes this season from four starts. What started as a promising 3YO campaign has morphed into something far more significant. The Mendelssohn - Curlin colt, purchased at the prestigious Maryland Fasig Tipton Sales, has developed into an exciting prospect in UAE racing, maintaining his dominance in the 3YO division with the win in the Dubai Islands Stakes in December.
When asked about the competition that Mendelssohn Bay will face in the Godolphin Mile, Ebbs displays the measured perspective of a seasoned racing professional.
"Every horse in that race could possibly take the win," he acknowledges, showing respect for the quality of the international challengers his gelding will face. "We're just hopeful that he gets a clean run and everything goes according to plan. Fingers crossed for a very competitive race."
For Paul Ebbs, Mendelssohn Bay's journey is merely the beginning. He hopes it will lead to the highest echelons of international racing.
"If all goes well, he'll go to the Dubai World Cup next year," Ebbs states matter-of-factly, mapping out an ambitious campaign to see the gelding tackle the world's richest race. "That's exactly who he is now, and he's only a 4YO. He'll be five next year, so he'll be the right age."
The Dubai World Cup, with its purse of US$12 million, represents the pinnacle of racing in the UAE, and Ebbs is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge. Yet there's something in his demeanor that suggests unwavering belief.
The development of Mendelssohn Bay has been meticulously planned, with distance management playing a crucial role in its progression.
"We've stepped into the mile for this year, and he'll step up from a mile in his 4YO campaign next year to a mile-and-a-quarter, and that's where he'll go to the World Cup campaign," explains Ebbs.
This carefully calibrated approach reflects the syndicate's long-term vision for its star performer. Rather than rushing him into races beyond his optimal distance, they've allowed him to mature and develop at his own pace, gradually stretching him out as his physical development continues.
"He's definitely World Cup material," Ebbs asserts.
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While Mendelssohn Bay represents the current standard-bearer for the Suited & Booted Syndicate, Ebbs is clearly not resting on his laurels. His global outlook extends to the bloodstock market, where he continues to seek out promising prospects for his expanding operation.
"We've just bought some horses," he reveals and we’ll be attending the American sales again, mainly Fasig Tipton, where we bought Mendelssohn Bay."
This international approach to bloodstock acquisition underlines Ebbs' determination to compete at the highest level on the global stage. By casting his net wide, from South Africa to the United States, he's accessing diverse bloodlines and pedigrees that might offer an edge in the intensely competitive world of international racing.
"We are sure that Mendelssohn Bay will continue to develop," he states with a nod to his sire, Curlin.
In a sport often dominated by the established racing powers of Europe, America, and Japan, it is unusual to see a Dubai-based syndicate boldly assert its right to compete at the highest level. From UAE Guineas winner to potential Dubai World Cup contender, Mendelssohn Bay's ascent through racing's ranks represents both a triumph for the Suited & Booted Syndicate and a powerful advertisement for UAE racing on the global stage.
For Paul Ebbs and the Suited & Booted Syndicate, the stars are not just something to reach for – they're the destination they're actively plotting a course towards. And with Mendelssohn Bay carrying their colours, that interstellar journey is already well underway.