At twilight in Dubai on Saturday night history was made by Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) who became the first dual victor of the G1 Dubai World Cup, a winner at this meeting for the third straight year.

He showed once again that he just won’t lay down when the stakes are at their highest, getting up by a shade of a nostril to catch the inspired Gronkowski (USA) (Lonhro {Aus}) in a thrilling finish that had to be decided by the judge.

The result provided Australian stallions with an unusual achievement, siring a Group 1 quinella on a dirt surface.

It was the fourth Group 1 score for Thunder Snow, with one each thus far achieved during each season on the track. First came the G1 Criterium International at two, after which the bay wintered in Dubai and in the process collected the G2 UAE Derby.

He then supplied quite possibly the most bizarre scene ever witnessed on a major racing stage when slamming on the brakes and bursting into a bucking fit just strides after the start of the 2017 GI Kentucky Derby, necessitating his removal from the race by Christophe Soumillon. Never again has he displayed such nefarious behaviour, however, and connections have likely afforded him some amount of forgiveness off the back of further Group 1 wins in France’s Prix Jean Prat and this race last year, as well as placed efforts in the Irish 2000 Guineas, St. James’s Palace S., Prix Jacques le Marois, Jockey Club Gold Cup and Breeders’ Cup Classic.

While trainer Saeed bin Suroor had expressed satisfaction after that effort that Thunder Snow would be bang-on for his title defence, some questioned whether that little seasoning was really enough. Not surprisingly, the trainer who has won the world’s richest race nine times out of 23 knew best.

"He is a such a brave horse," said Suroor. "I wasn't sure if he had won, but we had the best jockey in the world on board and he knows him so well."

"I think this is my 191st Group 1 winner but it ranks very highly, probably along with Dubai Millennium in 2000 when he won this race."

Christophe Soumillon was also effusive in his praise for Thunder Snow.

"Last year I won by five, six, even more lengths, and today Thunder had to fight hard."

In all, there were four victories for Godolphin, including scores by last year’s Melbourne Cup and King’s Stand S. winners. Three trophies went to America, including two collected by popular young jockey Jose Ortiz, one by former Dubai resident and Irishman Brendan Walsh and another by Todd Pletcher, his first win in Dubai. Japanese superstar filly Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) validated all the hype with victory in the G1 Dubai Turf.

No joy for Aussies in Al Quoz

Godolphin's Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal {Ire}) took out his second Group 1 win when saluting in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint.

In the last few minutes before loading the gate for the 2018 rendition of the same race, Blue Point was scratched when he was discovered to be bleeding slightly out of his nostrils. There were no such misfortunes this time around, as the 5-year-old sat handy to the pace and finished off in typically strong fashion to post a fairly soft victory.

Pacesetter Belvoir Bay (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) stayed on for second, while the winner's stablemate Stormy Liberal (Stormy Atlantic) gave another good account of himself in third a year after completing the exacta behind Jungle Cat (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}).

Four Australian-connected horses lined up in the 2019 Al Quoz Sprint with G1 winner Viddora (I Am Invincible) finishing fourth, Hong Kong-trained Wishful Thinker (I Am Invincible) seventh, Australian Bloodstock's Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}) eighth and Illustrious Lad (I Am Invincible) finishing twelfth.

Viddora was beaten six lengths into fourth place, finishing off with an impressive burst. The entire field was strung out over 20 lengths at the finish in a fast-run race.

“She has run with credit having travelled so far from Australia. Blue Point must be very good to clock a time like that on a track that to me didn’t appear super fast," said jockey Joe Bowditch.

Viddora will now head to Hong Kong for the Group One Chairman's Sprint. She will then head to Royal Ascot before likely retiring to the broodmare paddock.

Bowman said Brave Smash raced too keenly which hurt his chances in the race.

“I had a lovely run in transit, but my horse was just a bit free for me in mid-stages, which took away from his excellent finish unfortunately," Bowman said.

Cross Counter Returns A Winner

A decision to enter Group 1 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {IRE}) in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday paid off well for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby as their first win of the night.

The 4-year-old gelding showed that he was in fine form first up as he settled in third just behind the leading Red Galileo. The field had an easy time of it for most of the 3200-metre race but with 500 metres left, it turned into a two-horse race with Cross Counter and his stablemate Ispolini (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Ispolini had the advantage for most of the straight but inside the final 200 metres, the Melbourne Cup winner took the lead and then pulled away for the win. Frankel’s (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) Call The Wind (GB) finished third by 4 2/5 lengths.

“I’m delighted with the result, it’s what tonight is all about and it’s good to get the first one out of the way,” said trainer Charlie Appleby after the race. “I just spoke to His Highness and we said we’d let the dust settle before come up with a plan but we could maybe go for the (Ascot) Gold Cup. But we’ll sit back and enjoy today before deciding where we go.”

In eight runnings of the Dubai Gold Cup, none of the runners have gone on to win the Ascot Gold Cup but Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) came close when finishing second at Ascot last year.

Almond Eye Never In Doubt

It was her first trip outside Japan but last year’s Fillies’ Triple Crown winner Almond Eye (JPN) (Lord Kanaloa {JPN}) showed her successes in her home country aren’t a fluke on Saturday in the Group 1 Dubai Turf.

The 4-year-old was placed three wide in mid-pack by regular jockey Christophe Lemaire, who looked confident throughout every stage of the race. Lemaire barely had to move to give the mare her cue in the stretch and went to the whip a few times in the final 200 metres after seeing Vivlos (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) closing in but the victory was never in doubt. This was the second consecutive runner-up finish in the race for Vivlos, who won the 2017 edition of the race.

According to trainer Sakae Kunieda the plan continues to be a tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October against Enable after this victory.

“It was a really great race. She broke well, settled well, got a good position and accelerated well to win well. It was the result I thought we could get and I’m happy she proved us right. I was nervous, I’ve lost my voice. Almond Eye can continue my dreams, so next we’ll go to Europe, our dream is to take her to the Arc,” he said.

Almond Eye’s sire Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) has one entry in the upcoming Inglis Easter sale, a colt from the family of Deep Impact (Jpn) (Sunday Silence {Jpn}) entered as Lot 80 through the Arrowfield Stud draft.

Winning Trio Strikes Again In Dubai

Continuing the success of his connections last year and Godolphin’s top 2019 around the world, Old Persian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was one of three winners on the night for Godolphin, Charlie Appleby, and William Buick in the Dubai Sheema Classic.

A Group winning 3-year-old last year, Old Persian scored the biggest win of his career here. He tracked the leading Rey De Oro (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) while racing in tandem with Hunting Horn (GB) (Camelot {GB}) for much of the 2410 metre race before getting running room with 350 metres left to go. Once he was in the clear, the colt showed a strong turn of foot to pull away from the leaders.

A strong winner, Old Persian won by a length and a half over the closing Japanese pair of Cheval Grand (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) with Hugh Bowman aboard and Suave Richard (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) with Joao Moreira in third.

Plus Que Parfait Books Kentucky Derby Ticket

Traveling from the United States to earn his place in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby worked spectacularly for Plus Que Parfait (USA) (Point Of Entry {USA}) in the Group 2 UAE Derby with another U.S. based horse in Gray Magician (USA) (Graydar {USA}) taking second.

The colt snagged a spot on the rail in midpack soon after the break and cruised behind the leaders. Around the turn into the straight, jockey Jose Ortiz moved him a few paths out and weaved in and out of traffic. He drew even with the leaders at the 200 metre mark and had the lead shortly after. He never pulled too far away from the other two top three finishers but the margin was big enough to give Ortiz his second win on the card.

Plus Que Parfait earned 100 points on the Road To the Kentucky Derby, guaranteeing him in a spot in the race with Gray Magician taking home 40 points. Manguzi (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) and Derma Louvre (Jpn) (Pyro {Jpn}) earned 20 and 10 points respectively for their third and fourth place finishes, putting them on the outside looking in at this year’s Kentucky Derby field.

Hard-Luck X Y Jet Wins Golden Shaheen

If ever there was an unlucky horse on Dubai World Cup night over the last few years, it was U.S.-based X Y Jet (USA) (Kantharos {USA}).

The gelding finished second by a combined margin of less than a half length in his previous two starts in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen but on Saturday that changed.

Trainer Jorge Navarro had been confident in his 7-year-old gelding all week and X Y Jet showed why in the 1200 metre dirt race. He took the lead right out of the gate and while Japan’s Matera Sky (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) tried to challenge him it was no good.

The third time was the charm for X Y Jet with a 1 ½ length victory over that rival with fellow U.S. runner Imperial Hint (USA) (Imperialism {USA}) in third.

First Victory For Pletcher In Godolphin Mile

Todd Pletcher has sent a handful of runners to Dubai over the year, often giving good showings. But for the first time in his career, the trainer won at Meydan when Coal Front (USA) (Stay Thirsty {USA}) won the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.

Jose Ortiz had Coal Front out wide in the group just behind the leaders in the 1600 metre dirt race and asked him to click into gear at the top of the straight. Heavy Metal (GB) (Exceed And Excel) didn’t make for an easy win with a few lengths opened on the field and time running out for Heavy Metal.

It wasn’t until they were well inside the final 50 metres that Coal Front was able to take over the lead from last year’s winner and win by three quarters of a length. The winner was over six lengths clear of the third placed Muntazah (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was just a short head in front of Kimbear (USA) (Temple City {USA}).

The victory gave Sol Kumin’s Head of Plains Partners a victory for the third year running at the Dubai World Cup.

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