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| Staff Writer |
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Quinault is set to give Stuart Williams his first runner in Dubai when he lines up in the Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night, Saturday April 5th.
The 5YO sprinter will represent something of a fairytale story as he returns to the emirate having left Dubai-based Godolphin three years ago after finishing last on his only start for Charlie Appleby.
Purchased for a mere US$31,250 by TJE Racing at the Tattersalls Autumn Sale in October 2022, Quinault was sent across Newmarket to the yard of Williams and has since embarked on a remarkable rise through the ranks.
Starting his winning journey off a low mark of 59 at Chelmsford in April 2023, the son of Oasis Dream reeled off an impressive sequence of six consecutive victories, eventually pushing his rating north of 100.
"He's been a superstar for the stable for the last two years and I still think he might still be improving," Williams told dubairacingclub.com. "He's from a German family which is late developing, and sons of Oasis Dream tend to get better with age as well. He's a big horse and he's settling into his racing a lot more now."
The progressive sprinter continued his upward trajectory last season with a hat-trick of Listed wins at Chester, Newmarket and York, defeating the subsequent July Cup winner Mill Stream along the way.
Quinault's international adventures began with a creditable third in the Gr.3 Prix de Seine-et-Oise on heavy ground at Chantilly in October, before another bronze medal in the Dukhan Sprint in Qatar on good going last month, showcasing his versatility.
It was this most recent performance, a running-on third behind familiar faces Rogue Lightning and Washington Heights at Al Uqda, that caught the attention of Dubai officials, leading to a late invitation for one of the most prestigious cards on the racing calendar.
"It's very exciting," said the trainer. "We nominated him in January, and we got accepted to run in Qatar. He ran a good race there, just getting caught a bit wide on the bend, and I was contacted last week, and they said they'd like to invite him. He'll be my first runner in Dubai, and we're excited by the thought of going. We want to be competitive, and I think on his best form he can be."
Despite having 22 races under his belt, Williams believes there is more to come from Quinault and already has his eye on further targets later in the season.
"In the autumn we decided we'd campaign him in these types of races, so we've kept him ticking over with this plan in mind," he explained. "He might have a break when he gets back, so that might rule Ascot out, but I'd still like to try him over seven furlongs at some stage. The new Group One at York [City of York Stakes] in August would be exciting."
While respectful of the opposition, Williams feels his stable star has what it takes to compete with his fellow British runners given the Al Quoz will represent his optimum conditions.
"We've run against Regional a couple of times. Audience is trying a different trip, which didn't work for him on Champions Day, and Believing ran in all the top sprints last year. I don't think we're that far behind them," he said.
"He runs well on a straight track, and he's won at York twice, which I'd imagine would be quite similar to Meydan. Everyone says the track is a super surface, so I'm hoping it will suit him."
Quinault will be ridden by Marco Ghiani, who has a record of four wins and three thirds on the gelding, as he looks to advertise the talents of Williams' small but highly capable stable.
"Quinault is an absolute dude, he's the sweetest horse and very much a yard favourite," added Williams. "It will be exciting to be a part of it on the big night. We haven't been involved in anything this big abroad before, so it will be new to us. We'll be looking forward to the experience."