Ballydoyle's blue-blooded multiple Group 1 winner Mogul comes into this Saturday's Group 1, $5 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic in top form, but it seems no matter his success, expectations persist. A $4.6 million yearling purchase, the Aidan O'Brien-trained half-brother to top-level performers Secret Gesture and Japan has a pair of prestigious wins of his own, but a lingering debate of whether there is more potential in him is a common query. Such could be put to rest come Saturday at Meydan Racecourse.
The son of Galileo comes to Dubai a the lone runner for the powerful Coolmore operation, as well as the global powerhouse's sole nomination to the meeting. A Group 2-winning 2-year-old of 2019, winning the Champions Juvenile (G2) at Leopardstown before a fourth to Kameko in the Vertem Futurity Trophy (G1), he entered his sophomore season as obvious Derby material, but a sole prep at Royal Ascot—fourth as the favorite in the King Edward VII (G2)—did not provide enough bottom for him to stand up to the challenges of Epsom.
Stepping up his game with fitness, Mogul went on to win three of his next five races against some of the world's best, including Grand Prix de Paris (G1) and Hong Kong Vase (G1). Wedged between was a good fifth in Tarnawa's Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). The Hong Kong Vase, in mid-December, gives him a 15-week break coming to Dubai.
“We're happy with everything he's done,” O'Brien said. “He had a little break after Hong Kong and then he got going again and seems to be in good form. He's a horse who takes his racing very well and we think he's ready to start back again.
“I suppose it is his first run of the season, but he ran in December and that's hopefully an advantage,” he continued. “He wouldn't have had as long a break as he would have had last year, so we're hoping he's well enough and fit enough to do himself justice, really.”
Progress from three to four is expected from the well-built sort, but such was also the case for Japan, whose 2020 4-year-old campaign was a bit underwhelming. A winner of Group 1s, including the Juddmonte International and Grand Prix de Paris, in 2019, Japan could manage only a pair of thirds from five tries last year.
“Mentally they're a bit the same, but physically they're different,” O'Brien explained. “Mogul is probably a stronger, more powerful type of horse than Japan. Japan looks like a mile and a quarter, mile and a half horse, physically, whereas this horse looks more like a sprinter-miler. I suppose, physically they're different, but mentally, they're the same. They're relaxed horses who sleep and eat well.
“He's a big, strong, powerful horse and there's a lot of Danehill in him, so he carries plenty of condition. Even though he is fit and has done plenty of work, he still looks round and strong and looks more like a horse who will improve with the run, but that's the way he always looks.”
While O'Brien only has one win in the race–with the brilliant St Nicholas Abbey in 2013–his horses have often given strong accounts of themselves in a race that is arguably the toughest of the card. St Nicholas Abbey was second in 2012 and talented filly Seventh Heaven took up the same spot in 2017. In 2020, before the cancellation, he held a strong entry with Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck. One thing all those had in common was an affection for firm ground, which is likely at Meydan on its expansive 12-furlong course this Saturday.
“The quicker the ground the better,” O'Brien concluded. “The flat track will suit him and a nice even pace will suit him. He likes to take his time and he comes home well. He's flying out on Monday and we will be on the track as soon as we can.”
After a 48-hour quarantine, Mogul will make his first appearance to the public, post-Hong Kong-conquering, at morning track work on Thursday.
The current best-price $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) market:
5/2 CHRONO GENESIS
11/4 MISHRIFF
6/1 MOGUL
7/1 WALTON STREET
8/1 CHANNEL MAKER
16/1 STAR SAFARI
20/1 LOVES ONLY YOU
25/1 BERKSHIRE ROCCO
50/1 SIMSIR
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