Triple Turkish delight for globetrotting Godolphin

Dubai: Team Godolphin completed a profitable swoop on the major races at Turkey’s International Racing Festival at Istanbul’s Veliefendi Racetrack when stable flag-bearer Toormore smashed his rivals to capture the featured €459,000 (Dh1.87 million) Group 2 Topkapi Trophy on Sunday.

Third in this race 12 months ago, the Richard Hannon-trained colt showed how he has come on in leaps and bounds to record an authoritative two-and-a-half-length victory over local challenger Perfect Warrior in the 2,400-metre contest.

Toormore’s performance was both emphatic and symbolic as he not only compensated for his earlier defeat, but also established himself as one of Europe’s leading middle distance horses and a legitimate contender for the prestigious Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day at Ascot on October 16.

Hannon also hinted at bringing him to Dubai to race in next year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival.

With the ever-maturing James Doyle in the irons, the Godolphin colt appeared to have been carried away by the occasion as he raced a trifle too keenly in the early stages. However, his rider soon got him to settle and, once he did ask Toormore for his effort with two furlongs to go, the response was immediate and he soon put the race to bed.

“I am delighted with Toormore. This victory is good compensation for France last time, when the ground was a bit soft for him,” Hannon told the Godolphin website.

“It is very hot here in Turkey and as a result he was a bit restless and keen. But he was very professional, as ever, in winning.

“We are now thinking about Hong Kong [Group One Longines Hong Kong Mile, December 13] and then maybe Dubai.”

Toormore is a 20-1 chance for the QE II Cup behind Solow (1), Gleneagles (7), Kodi Bear (8), Territories (8) and Esoterique (10).

Earlier on Saturday, long-serving Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour recorded a big-race double with Tha’ir in the €195,500 Group 2 Anatolia Trophy and Local Time in the €195,500 Group 3 Istabul Trophy.

Tha’ir’s stable companion Tumbaga ran an excellent race to finish second.

“I am delighted with Tha’ir and Tumbaga — they both ran very well. We will take them back to Dubai to race there,” said Bin Surour, who was helping Godolphin with the Anatolia Trophy for the fourth time after Windhoek (2014), Hunter’s Light (2012) and Balius (2009).

The experienced Emirati handler was also pleased to see Local Time bounce back to form.

“Local Time has put up a good performance and it is great for her to win a Group Three on turf,” he said.

“But she is better on dirt and will go to Dubai, where she was unbeaten in three starts on dirt early this year, including the UAE 1000 Guineas and the UAE Oaks.”

Godolphin has now enjoyed successive victories in the International Istanbul Trophy, with Shuruq winning in 2014.