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World’s Most Successful Active Stallion Dubawi Sires 250th Individual Stakes Winner

Dubawi (Ire), the world's most successful active stallion, achieved another major milestone on Saturday by siring his 250th individual stakes winner.

Away from all the bright lights and razzmatazz of a big festival, Godolphin homebred Lake Lucerne, who began his career with John Gosden, achieved that landmark success when running out a cosy winner of the Albert M Stall Memorial S. at Fair Grounds for Brendan Walsh and Tyler Gaffalione.

That victory means that Dubawi has now achieved 599 stakes wins in total. A whopping 53 horses by him have scored at the highest level, with many serving to harden Dubawi's reputation as a sire of sires, which leading bloodstock agent Anthony Stroud has explained is one of the most pleasing aspects of the evergreen 21-year-old's influence.

He said, “Dubawi is just an unbelievable stallion. To be a sire of sires, which he is, it's unprecedented really. Dubai Millennium (GB) was a very special horse for everyone at Godolphin and it's wonderful that the line is continuing. We have Dubawi and his sons who will continue.

“You've got New Bay (GB), Zarak (Fr), Night Of Thunder (Ire) and lots of other young sires coming through like Ghaiyyath (Ire) and Space Blues (Ire) who are all by him. There's a lot to look forward to.”

Stroud added, “I don't think you could ever get tired of speaking about a stallion who is so on top of his game like Dubawi is. He has been a consistent sire at the highest level. We are just very privileged to have had stallions like Galileo (Ire), and now Sea The Stars (Ire), Frankel (GB) and Dubawi in Europe.”

Stroud has bought a large portion of Godolphin's yearlings at public auction in recent years and, alongside Sheikh Mohammed, returned to the market at Book 1 at Tattersalls last year to snap up 14 yearlings to the tune of just over 13,000,000gns by the dominant stallion. Put simply, there are few people better qualified to comment on the success Dubawi is having than he is.

However, while Stroud admits that what Dubawi has achieved already is astounding, he said that he firmly believes that the ink is still wet on his story.

He explained, “It's a great landmark for him to have achieved but, in racing, you never look backwards and always push forward. Yes, 250 is great, but there is still more to come from him. I firmly believe that the trajectory that he is on, it will continue to go upwards.

“The great thing about Dubawi is his versatility. He can get top-class horses over six furlongs, a mile or any distance. It's remarkable really. Another thing, they all seem to have very good minds. They have wonderful temperaments.”

Of the 250 individual stakes winners sired by Dubawi, 133 were colts or geldings and, in terms of Group or Graded winners, 98 have been achieved by colts or geldings and 65 by fillies or mares.

Stroud also acknowledged the huge significance surrounding the fact that milestone winner Lake Lucerne was bred by Godolphin and carried the famous royal blue silks to victory on Saturday.

He said, “Yes, it's quite fitting as the homebreds are the backbone to the Godolphin operation. They are key to any successful racing operation. The homebreds are the spine.”

Providing an update on Dubawi, who is set to stand for a whopping £350,000 this year, Stroud added, “He is really good, really well, and understandably has a fantastic book of mares to look forward to this year.”

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Creative Force Rerouted From Saudi Arabia To Al Quoz Sprint After Spiking A Temperature

Godolphin's Group 1 winner Creative Force (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) has been removed from consideration for the $30.35-million Saudi Cup meeting after spiking a temperature, and will instead target the G1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai next month.

“Creative Force spiked a temperature earlier today and following unsatisfactory blood tests, it has been decided that he will not travel to Saudi Arabia,” Godolphin tweeted. “He will now be aimed at the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night.”

Trained by Charlie Appleby, the 5-year-old gelding won the G1 British Champions Sprint S. in October of 2021. Last year he placed three times at that tier when second in the Platinum Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot in June second up, then ran fourth in the July S. His latest efforts were a pair of thirds–defending his title on QIPCO British Champions Day, and in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland in November.

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Nations Pride Friday’s DWCC Headliner

The Dubai World Cup Carnival adds its own footnote to the study of flags, known as vexillology for the more serious, since its intent is to draw horses from all over the world. As the meet continues to march towards its big night in late March, another Friday of racing arrives with a trio of Group 3 events.

Waving Godolphin Blue

The G3 Dubai Millennium S. sports this week's headliner, as Grade I winner Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) returns for a new campaign after what could be considered a successful 2022. The Godolphin homebred won last year at Meydan in the Jumeirah Derby, before competing at Newmarket, Epsom, in the 'Turf Triple' at each of the NYRA courses Stateside and finally in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, where he was fifth behind stablemate Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Bearing the blue brought him an Eclipse Award nomination in the Male Turf Division off of his victories in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. in August and the GIII Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. in September, as well as his runner-up effort in the first leg of the Turf Triple, the GI Belmont Derby Invtiational S. in July. The 4-year-old colt should enjoy a return to 10 furlongs here as the deserving favorite in European markets.

“There will be some improvement to come for whatever he [Nations Pride] does on his seasonal return, as we hope that he has another international campaign ahead of him this year, said trainer Charlie Appleby. “Depending on how he goes here, we will consider potentially looking at the [G1] Jebel Hatta [on Super Saturday] or the [G1] Dubai Turf [on Dubai World Cup night].”

Appleby also runs multiple stakes winner and multiple group-placed Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), third in the G2 Singspiel S. last time out. “Returning to this distance looks as though it might benefit Ottoman Fleet based on his two runs so far this year,” he continued. “He goes into the race a fit horse with solid form around him, so he should be a major player.”

Dual French listed winner Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) is aiming to improve after a fourth in the G3 Al Rashidiya on Jan. 13.

Longshot in the Nad Al Sheba

As for the other group races on Friday, a true distance test and prep race for the G2 Dubai Gold Cup will be proctored at 14 panels on the grass in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy S. Godolphin, winners on nine occasions, has the advantage with four runners in Global Heat (Ire) Toronado (Ire), Brilliant Light (GB) (Sea The Stars), Siskany (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire} and Kemari (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“Siskany looks great and will be a player if he brings his best form to the table,” said Charlie Appleby. “He has won over the course and trip, so he looks the one they have to beat.

“Kemari will also be competitive if he can rekindle some of his old form. He ran some solid races last year but can be a little inconsistent these days.”

Added fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, “Global Heat won over this trip in the Al Khail Trophy and came out of his recent handicap run in good order. He stays well and I'm hoping for another good effort. Brilliant Light worked well last week and has some good form over this distance. He is ready to go again and will appreciate the step up in trip.”

Not to be overlooked is the Amy Murphy trainee Magical Morning (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), who is a quality longshot and could play the role of spoiler, if the gelding can handle the stretch out in distance.

American Jaunt Continues in UAE Oaks

Rounding out Friday's Group 3 events is a Classic on the dirt oval that brings together seven fillies. Of these, Mimi Kakushi (City Of Light) looks best, not because her barn won this race last year, but because the bay filly clearly likes the Meydan surface–including a pair of wins in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial over 1400 metres on Dec. 23 and in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas upped to a mile on Jan. 20. Seven fillies have completed the UAE Guineas/Oaks double, with Shahama (Munnings), subsequently second in the GII Mother Goose S. and a winner of the GIII Monmouth Oaks in America, the latest in 2022.

Standing in her way will be the American-based Ami Please (Goldencents) for trainer Doug O'Neill. Running solely on turf since her California debut at Del Mar on Aug. 1, she was third last time out in the Blue Norther S. at Santa Anita, finishing just behind next out winner, Manhattan Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}). Her barn collected a savory win last Friday with Tall Boy (Lookin At Lucky) in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas.

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2023 Mating Plans, Presented by Spendthrift: JCB Stables

As we approach the opening of the 2023 breeding season, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Today we caught up with JCB Stables' Ezequiel Cesar Valle, who represents the aforementioned American branch of Haras Firmamento, one of the largest farms in Argentina.

MAID OF HONOR (6, Medaglia d´Oro–Lovely Regina, by Deputy Minister), to be bred to Street Sense
We bought five mares at the last Keeneland November Sale, and she was the most expensive at $260,000 carrying her first foal by Twirling Candy. She was originally a $400,000 yearling.

Maid of Honor is a half-sister to MGSW Thiskyhasnolimit (Sky Mesa) and her second dam, Cara Rafaela, literally fills the page. We are sending her to Street Sense because he is one of the best stallions in America; a top sire and sire of sires who will suite her physically, too.

BELLA AURELIA (6, Medaglia d´Oro–My Miss Aurelia, by Smart Strike) to be bred to Hard Spun
Another purchase from Keeneland November. You do not have to explain too much about her; she is the first registered foal out of champion 2-year-old filly My Miss Aurelia. She has a colt by Munnings and now is in foal to Maclean´s Music.

Hard Spun is the real deal. There are not too many proven stallions like him with 15 career Grade I-winners.

BY THE HOUR (5, Tapit–Miss Super Quick, by Rock Hard Ten) to be bred to Twirling Candy
Another Keeneland November purchase, this one carrying her first foal by American Pharoah. We love her pedigree, she is from the immediate family of GI Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, and many other Grade I stakes winners.

Twirling Candy, one of the best sons of Candy Ride (Arg) at stud, suites her perfectly. Candy Ride numbers with Tapit mares are incredible and he has already shown a remarkable affinity for the A.P. Indy branch

CLEOPATRA'S CHARM (6, Pioneerof The Nile–Careless Jewel, by Tapit), to be bred to Hard Spun
Our first purchase. We bought her at Keeneland November in 2021 in foal to Omaha Beach and we have a very nice and strong colt. Her first foal is a Bernardini filly that we acquired at the last Keeneland September sale for $155,000. She is currently in foal to Blame and I like Hard Spun for her this year because the Hard Spun/Empire Maker cross is proven (Silver State, for example).

Cleopatra's Charm's dam is a Grade I stakes winner and she is a 3/4-sister to Reframe, a very famous filly in Japan who won a Listed race.

BRASSY (6, Medaglia d´Oro-Cheeky Charm, by A.P. Indy), to be bred to Nyquist
Brassy has a lovely pedigree. Her dam is 3/4-sister to Sky Mesa and Velvety, the dam of Maxfield. Her third dam is the influential mare La Affirmed, ancestress of Bernstein, for example. She was our last purchase at Keeneland November, in foal to Hard Spun.

Brassy is booked to Nyquist, one of the best young sires in America and who also crosses well over mares from the Medaglia d´Oro and A.P. Indy lines.

STREET SLAYER (4, Street Sense–Ghostslayer, by Ghostzapper), to be bred to Twirling Candy
Street Slayer is a half-sister to GSW Biddy Duke (Bayern) and descends from the same family as Forte, Folklore, Contrail, and Essential Quality, among other Grade I-winners.

We bought her as a broodmare prospect at Keeneland November and she is now booked to Twirling Candy, too. Twirling Candy is out of a Mr. Prospector line mare and has found success with mares from that line. And as I mentioned before, there are not too many active, proven stallions in Kentucky as good as him for $60,000.

KNOCKOUT KISSES (4, Into MIschief–Transplendid by Elusive Quality), to be bred to Blame
We acquired Knockout Kisses as a broodmare prospect at the Fasig-Tipton July sale last year. She is a young half-sister to GSW Dennis' Moment (Tiznow). She has a lot of Into Mischief and we chose Blame because it's a great physical match as well. We really like Blame, he is a proven stallion and he offers good value even at the increased fee of $25,000.

Interested in sharing your own mating plans? Email garyking@thetdn.com.

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