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The Gr.2 Singspiel Stakes witnessed a commanding performance from Nations Pride as the Charlie Appleby-trained six-year-old announced his return to top form with an authoritative victory. The son of Teofilo, ridden with confidence by William Buick, overcame an unfortunate ninth-place finish in January's Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park to stamp his class on a competitive eight-runner field.
Pre-race favourite Cairo showed early promise, setting a strong early gallop, but the demanding pace would ultimately prove his undoing. As the race developed, it became clear that the front-runner was being closely monitored by the Godolphin representatives, with both Nations Pride and stablemate First Conquest travelling ominously well.
As the field turned for home, Cairo began to feel the strain of his exertions, leaving the door open for Nations Pride to make his move. The multiple Gr.1 winner, who finished third behind Lord North and Danon Beluga in the 2023 Gr.1 Dubai Turf on his most recent Meydan appearance, powered clear with an impressive turn of foot.
Holloway Boy emerged from the pack to claim second place, putting in a commendable effort but never threatening the winner. First Conquest, who entered the race on the back of three consecutive victories including the Gr.3 Dubai Millennium Stakes, ran creditably to finish third, while early pacesetter Cairo faded in the closing stages to finish well behind.
The victory sets Nations Pride up perfectly for a tilt at the Gr.1 Dubai Turf on World Cup night, where he is expected to face off against Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior, the current track record holder with a time of 1:45.10.
"Ultra consistent horse. He's been in quite a lot of countries. To step off a plane and go like this is a great performance," remarked William Buick after the race. "Nations Pride was third in the Dubai Turf and will go forward from this race."
The 6YO's versatility and global achievements were highlighted by Charlie Appleby before the contest, with the trainer noting: "Nations Pride put up a strong performance over this course and trip in the Dubai Turf two years ago and enjoyed a productive campaign in the United States last season."
A four-time Gr.1 winner in North America and Germany, with his most recent top-level success coming in last August's Arlington Million, Nations Pride has demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout his career. This win, marking his third success from four Meydan appearances, further enhances his reputation as a formidable international campaigner.
For stablemate First Conquest, this represented a step up in class after impressive victories in a Newmarket handicap, the Lord North Handicap, and most recently the Gr.3 Dubai Millennium Stakes. While unable to maintain his winning sequence, the four-year-old lost little in defeat and confirmed Appleby's pre-race assessment that he "deserves to take another step up the ladder."
As attention now turns to World Cup night, Nations Pride has positioned himself as a leading contender for the Dubai Turf, with his connections undoubtedly relishing the prospect of a showdown with Romantic Warrior in one of the meeting's most anticipated contests.