World Cup winner!
The dust is now beginning to settle on Mystic Guide’s historic victory in the 25th running of the $12 million G1 Dubai World Cup Saturday – a monumental achievement for everyone involved on arguably the biggest global stage in racing!
Owned under the inimitable Godolphin banner, Mystic Guide had the perfect trip, sitting just off the pace for much of the race, looming up around the home turn before powering clear to win by a resounding 3 and 3/4 lengths – a performance dripping with quality in one of the toughest races of the calendar.
And so, here’s a look at some of the best coverage of the 4-year-olds dominating performance.
From the Thoroughbred Daily News:
“I want to start by giving my condolences on the passing of Sheikh Hamdan,” said Stidham. “This was a special night. You’re seeing 40 years of emotions right now.
“I am so happy to be here and the horse performed to his capability. It’s a beautiful thing. He was getting antsy in the parade ring and then with a loose horse it made it more difficult, then we had to load a couple times. It was a little scary at the start but he stayed relaxed.
“All that added to the concerns. He gets a little tough and doesn’t like being restrained a lot. I saddled him outside the stall because he was getting a little antsy in the stall. With all that went on, I was really concerned, like I said, but he overcame it.
“I got a good feeling when I saw him lying in third on the backside then down the lane it was amazing. I’m so proud to be here on the 25th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup for Sheikh Mohammed and the sky’s the limit for this horse. We’d love to come back next year, I’ll know the lay of the land better then.”
Thoughts from winning rider, Luis Saez, in the Blood Horse:
Saez admitted to being a little anxious from the delays, though he said his mount stayed cool.
“Yeah, I was a little bit scared, but he stayed relaxed, this guy,” he said. “At that point, the horse inside starting getting a little nervous—I was a little worried about him—but (Mystic Guide) did a great job.”
Asked in a post-race television interview how he felt to win one of the biggest races in the world in the Dubai World Cup, Saez replied, “That was my dream when I was a little kid. I can’t believe I’m here right now. This is the most beautiful thing for me.”
A full race-replay can be seen here at Horse Racing Nation.
