Review: Dettori Secures Fourth Gr.1 Dubai Turf Win With Lord North

Three Dubai Turfs! That is the record that the John & Thady Gosden trained Lord North has in this event after taking out his third straight US$5 million Group One on World Cup night.

Out of the gates, the Roger Varian trained hope El Drama got to the lead with Nations Pride working out deep under William Buick for Charlie Appleby and Lord North well back in the early stages.

With half of the 1800m journey in the rear view, El Drama held the lead with Nations Pride and Alfareeq travelling well contesting the lead.

With 200m left to run the great jockey, Dettori flashed up with Lord North under him to take his third straight Dubai Turf for the Gosden’s.

In the perfect farewell to Dubai for Dettori not only did he crack his own record in this race but he also extended his lead as the most successful rider at the Dubai World Cup meeting across its nearly three-decade history, with this marking his 23rd victory since its inception in 1996.

He was emotional after the race knowing what the victory meant in his final year in the saddle.

"It's amazing to win once; three times, it's unreal. Thady has done an amazing job because he's a horse that gets sick quite easily, that's why he doesn't run that often. The boys got him ready for this race and full credit to them, they've done great with him.

"And Lord North himself, what a star. To just get one on the board at this beautiful place, in Dubai that has been my home for so many winters, it's pretty special."

"The first time he won the race he showed a nice turn of foot and then last year his preparation wasn’t quite as straightforward as this year. The lad who rides him out every day thought he was in much better form than coming into last year. Obviously, you can’t say that beforehand in case it all goes wrong,” trainer Thady Gosden added.

"It was a little bit messy in the mid-part of the race and coming into the bend, but he missed any trouble and showed a great turn of foot to get to the front. He broke well from three and the strong pace up front definitely helped him; he got a nice tow into it and he picked up as we know he can.

"It’s fantastic and thanks to everyone at home in the yard, to the horse and to Frankie as well. He’s a homebred gelding and it’s fantastic for him to come here and win a race of this quality three times on the trot."