Abu Dhabi: Well Armed joined the legends that have won the $6 million (Dh22 million) Dubai World Cup (Group 1) with a devastating start-to-finish victory at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in 2009.
Third in the world’s richest horse race in 2008 behind Curlin, the six-year-old son of Tiznow made a scintillating start after breaking well and scorched the track to win the 14th running of the race by a record 14 lengths.
Brazilian-bred Gloria de Campeao was a distant second, while Saudi Arabian raider Paris Perfect took third place ahead of stable companion Muller.
Trainer Eoin Harty, who had previously trained Godolphin’s two-year-olds, said he always believed Well Armed was destined for greatness.
“I don’t think he’s done anything wrong. He had beaten Albertus Maximus before in California and this was his chance to have a place in history and $6 million wouldn’t hurt to go with it,” Harty said.
“It feels so much better now that he’s won the race. I am sure it will hit me even more after I see my bank balance.
“Everything seems to have been in his favour and he used it all to maximum benefit tonight. Nobody put pressure on him early during the race and that gave a little bit more confidence as the race progressed,” the Irishman added.
“Last year he got collared by Curlin, but this year there was no one like Curlin in the race. In the last two days I wanted to get him really sharp and I think I achieved this.”
Winning jockey, Aaron Gryder, added: “I’m so glad to be riding this horse. This is the highlight of my career this horse showed everybody how good he really is.
“I’m so thankful to Mr and Mrs Casner the owners and Eoin Harty that they kept confidence in my and gave me this opportunity to ride him. It was an absolute honour to win the last race at Nad Al Sheba.
“This is an unbelievable experience; again I’m just so blessed, I love it.”
Albertus Maximus, trained by former UAE champion Kiaran McLaughlin and the 2/1 ante-post favourite with English bookmakers, was a well-beaten sixth, while home hope and second favourite, Asiatic Boy, who was second to Curlin in the previous year’s race, trailed in third - last of the 14 runners.
McLaughlin said: “He’s a big, strong horse and he was on his toes far better than me, I was nervous.”
Well Armed was ridden with a great deal of confidence by Gryer and was always pulling clear of his rivals. Once the field turned for home, he found another gear and began to draw away to seal an emphativ victory.
Gryder even allowed himself the luxury of dropping his hands and giving his mount a pat on the neck as he crossed the line.
