Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said winning the Dubai World Cup (G1) made not only him happy, but all the people in the UAE.
Speaking to the CNN's Winning Post shortly after Monterosso won the $10 million (Dh36 million) race, Shaikh Mohammad said: "We haven't won this race for a few years. So to win it really... it's a great, great feeling. Not only for me, but for the United Arab Emirates and all our people."
Monterosso, who is trained by Mahmoud Al Zarouni in Dubai and was ridden by French jockey Mickael Barzalona, led home a sensational 1-2 finish for the Emirati trainer as stable-companion Capponi finished second under jockey Ahmad Ajtebi.
Pressure
Shaikh Mohammad admitted feeling the pressure during the running of the race which featured 13 of the world's best horses including Capponi, Prince Bishop and Mendip, representing Godolphin, which he helped create almost 20 years ago. "[A] one-two, finish, I mean when they came to the straight I thought will we win or is somebody coming to catch us? But it's great."
Commenting on watching Barzalona standing up in his stirrups and celebrating even before he crossed the winning post on Saturday, Shaikh Mohammad said: "My heart was in my throat at that time and I didn't know what to say but thank God we won it and everybody has won — all the country, Ireland won, France won and that's racing. I'm double happy now."
Asked what his predictions had been, Shaikh Mohammad told CNN: "I feel a lot of competition will be there. A lot of beautiful horses [have come] from America, Europe, Japan, Australia, so you cannot tell. But you know really I aim to bring them all together and to see this big party tonight I am honoured."
Best wishes: Sincere congratulations
Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates congratulated His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on the victory of Godolphin's Monterosso at the 17th Dubai World Cup.
Shaikh Mohammad received congratulations from His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi,Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah; His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman; His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah; and His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain.
Shaikh Mohammad also received congratulations from Bahraini King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa.
— WAM
