Dubai: It was the result that UAE racing fans would have wanted to see and jockey Royston Ffrench did not disappoint them when delivering the shock result of the night in the $5-million (Dh18.35 million) Dubai Duty Free (Gr 1) at Meydan yesterday.
Ffrench conjured up a dream run from UAE champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe's Al Shemali, who picked up strongly deep inside the home straight to sweep past a truly international field, and secure an unforgettable victory by a length and a half from South Africa's Bankable.
The win capped Al Raihe's extraordinary season, when he has clinched the trainer's championship. The likeable Emirati trainer was visibly shell-shocked over what he had accomplished.
"This is the best day of my life. It is also the best thing that I have ever, ever experienced as a trainer," he managed to say while trying to control his emotions.
Ffrench, who was enjoying the finest hour of his racing career, was all praise for the Al Raihe team.
"I had an excellent trip, things couldn't have gone better," said the popular rider. "It's great for my boss Ali Rashid Al Raihe and for the whole team. We've been in such good form all year and to end it like this, it's great.
"We had a clear passage and once I got in front I knew he'd dig deep. He goes further so I wasn't worried about him stopping.
"This is what we're all geared up for. Everybody wants to win on World Cup night and thank God we have.
"This is by far the most prestigious win of my career. You have to go out there with a win on your mind if you are going to win a race on a night like this. That's what I always do — try and win always. It happens, it happens. If it doesn't happen then it's okay. But it happened tonight.
"The horse has been in great form from the start of the season. And I always believe that you can't beat happy horses and happy staff. This has been a great moment for the entire staff. I could not have asked for anything better."
Hot favourite Presvis failed to get a clear run in the 16-horse field and came home a disappointing 11th, while Godolphin's Alexandros, the second choice with Pick Seven players, finished 14th for Frankie Dettori.
Trainer Luca Cumani was gracious in defeat but chose not to dismiss that performance of his stable star Presvis who was runner-up to Gladiatros last year.
"That is horse racing for you. In a 16-runner race with a short straight, things like that are always going to happen," he said.
"If we'd gone for the Sheema Classic, we would have had an extra three furlongs to recover but if you get blocked over this trip, that is it.
"He was travelling strongly when it happened and was still on the bridle, but got put in prison.
"He's not had a hard race and will often do more in a gallop.
"We'll take him back to Hong Kong now."
— With inputs from Duane Fonsec
