Dubai: Saeed Bin Surour was narrowly denied a landmark 100th win in the Dubai International Racing Carnival but was thrilled to see his Godolphin stable reach the magical milestone at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday night.
Spring of Fame, trained by Bin Surour and ridden by stable jockey Frankie Dettori, made it a memorable night for Godolphin by winning the Al Sarab Handicap to bring up the century of wins, seven years since the globe-trotting stable secured a first Carnival success with Catstar in the UAE 1000 Guineas.
Godolphin was founded in 1994 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Bin Surour's hopes of a double celebration were thwarted in the closing race of the evening when Once More Dubai was beaten half a length by stable-companion Simon De Montfort.
But Bin Surour, who has achieved many significant milestones since being appointed Godolphin trainer in 1995, was rejoicing in the team's latest accomplishment.
Great team
"It's fantastic for Godolphin to have won 100 races in such a short time at the Carnival," said the Emirati handler, who has scored major wins in 14 countries.
"We have a great team at home and could not have achieved this without the support of His Highness. He has continually supported us and has been a tower of strength with his personal involvement in the stable."
Bin Surour and Dettori went on to complete a double when Aspectoflove won the feature race of the evening, the Group 2 Cape Verdi, giving them their first success in the 1,600-metre contest for fillies and mares.
But the winner had to dig deep to rein in French raider Thai Haku, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, and hold off a finishing River Jetez, the mount of Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon. Less than half a length separated the three horses at the wire.
Future plans
"She's a much improved filly this year and she did it well under the circumstances," said Bin Surour. "The plan is to bring her back for the Balanchine and take it from there."
Bin Surour's fierce Carnival rival, South African trainer Mike de Kock, continued his strong start by sending out Zanzamar to win the trial event for the UAE 2,000 Guineas and Solid Choice to bag the opening handicap.
Zanzamar was the first winner De Kock has trained for new patron Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
Richard Hills, Shaikh Hamdan's retained jockey, was delighted with the win and said: "That was my first ride for Mike so I am particularly pleased.
"He (Zanzamar) is a lazy sort and needs every yard of that trip. Hopefully the 1,600-metre UAE 1000 Guineas will suit him and he seems a nice prospect.
Hills completed a double for the night when he rode Derbaas to win the 1,600-metre Falcon Turf Trophy for reigning UAE champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe, who himself completed a meet double having sent out Happy Dubai to win the 1,000-metre turf handicap under Emirati jockey Ahmad Ajtebi.
