Dubai: Brazilian jockey Silvestre de Sousa rates Godolphin’s Farhh as the best horse he has ever ridden having partnered the Darley-bred six-year-old to victory in the Champion Stakes at Ascot,UK,last October.
This is a profound citation bearing in mind that the 33-year-old has also ridden top horses such as Cavalryman, Sajjhaa and Hunter’s Light to major victories in the UAE and Europe.
“Sometimes when I review the tape I have to pinch myself to see if it’s true,” he told the Dubai Racing Channel earlier this week. “[But] he is definitely the best horse I have ever ridden.
“He’s such a talented horse when you go back and look at the races he run. You can see that he’s a true champion.”
A Darley homebred by Pivotal out of German mare Gonbarda, Farhh won five of his ten starts including the Lockinge Stakes (G1) at Newbury, but was perhaps is best remembered for his two second-place efforts behind the great Frankel in the Sussex Stakes (G1) and Juddmonte International Stakes (G1).
He was retired after running a brilliant final race in the Champion Stakes in October where he demonstrated his true ability when beating top horses like French star and multiple Group winner Cirrus Des Aigles and Ireland’s Epsom Derby (G1) conqueror Ruler Of The World.
It marked Farhh’s biggest win after a series of second against Moonlight Cloud, So You Think and Nathaniel last season.
He also provided trainer Saeed Bin Surour with his first Champion Stakes trophy and helped Godolphin clinch a ninth champion owner’s title in the UK, in 17 years.
