Dubai: Fryvolous, owned by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, demolished a classy field of Purebred Arabian horses to win the $ 250,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic here at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday.
Brilliantly ridden by Daragh O'Donohoe, Fryvolous has also given trainer Rod Simpson a perfect reward, capping a fantastic season for the Al Asayl Stables based in Sweihan in Abu Dhabi.
The 6-year-old bay gelding was the second winner for the President in this prestigious race, the earlier one registered in 2001 by Magic de Piboul.
The first race of the $21.25 million race meeting was greeted by a few showers but the 12 Arabians lined up and it was Amoking who did all the early running in this 10-furlong dirt contest.
Fryvolous, also picked as the favourite by the Pick Seven followers, was handily placed in fourth place by O'Donohoe and when they approached the final bend he began to make his move.
With about two furlongs left, Nil Blanc under Andre de Vries tried to join the battle but Simpson's star looked too good as he moved away to win handsomely.
Nil Blanc ran on bravely to finish second while Richard Hills, who has the best record in this race, finished third on Paris Gagner.
Simpson, who had last week sounded very confident, was over the moon as it was an uncertain start for him at the beginning of the season.
Simpson hailed his champion who had finished 5th last year to Mizzna, "I knew I could trust him to do this, especially after Daragh [O'Donohoe] was injured and Richard [Mullen] had to ride him [in Abu Dhabi]."
"Right now, I am too emotional. I am pleased with everything. I wanted this so badly. The horse has been unbelievable and the jockey has been a champion right through," said Simpson, who is one of the most colourful trainers.
"Daragh got the opportunity and I really cannot explain what happened out there. You have to watch the race to see how fantastic and awful this horse has been tonight. He has always been good enough to win this race and tonight he has proved what he is made of by winning here. He will come back and defend crown for sure," promised Simpson.
The win, one of his career's biggest on Dubai World Cup night, saw O'Donohoe in a highly-delighted mood.
"This is such a great feeling to win on a great race night. Everybody has put in so much effort for this success and I am so pleased. He had an easy run to start with and I really did not want to push him, so I just allowed him to go," said O'Donohoe, who also had enough time to turn back and see where his rivals were before easing off.
"This is definitely my best moment; it has been big for me and for all in the stable. This is the moment we all wait for and he's pulled it off for all of us."
Many had doubted the Simpson star's ability to last the distance and O'Donohoe also seemed to be one of them.
"Honestly, I was worried about his staying power, but he always had it in him, he set off in a nice gallop and then showed himself like a monster to tear all of them apart."
Race 1. Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1)
Sponsored by Emaar
Purebred Arabians (5yo+)
Purse: $250,000
Distance: 2,000m (10f)
1. Fryvolous (trained by Rod Simpson) ridden by Daragh O'Donohoe
2. Nil Blanc (Rashid Al Jehani) Adrie De Vries
3. Paris Gagner (Doug Watson) Richard Hills
4. Amoking (Ali Rashid Al Raihe) Ahmad Ajtebi.
Also ran: Nirwan, Palapal, Nashwan Al Khalidiah, Vite Royale, Shadiyda, Al Moutawakel, Santhal.
Distances: 3.50L, 12L, 1.25L.
Time: 2min 16.25 secs.
Winner owned by His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, trained in Abu Dhabi.
