DUBAI // Prince Bishop produced the run of his life to become the oldest horse to win the Dubai World Cup.
The eight-year-old son of Dubawi won the world’s richest race in his fourth attempt in five years. He was ninth to African Story last year, missed the 2013 edition and unplaced in both 2012 and 2011.
Despite his advancing age, Prince Bishop produced a stunning late run under William Buick to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths from California Chrome, the international favourite, and leave the biggest celebration on the night for the host team at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday night.
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Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, saddled his seventh winner in the big race, but it was the first Dubai World Cup win for the owner, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and jockey Buick.
“I knew the horse had the class to win this race. Some horses improve with age, and it’s great to see him win. This is great for me and for everybody here,” said bin Suroor.
Buick followed bin Suroor’s instructions to stay clear of the kickback on Meydan’s new dirt track, and the trainer indicated that may have been the key to victory.
“Saeed and the whole team had a lot of faith” in Prince Bishop, Buick said.
“He has a very unorthodox way of racing, so I took him out of the kickback in the back, and when I got onto California Chrome’s tail, he picked up the bridle and, listen, he ran on well in the end.
“I don’t go numb very often but I can’t explain what I’m feeling right now. When I get back home and relax, it may sink in.”
Prince Bishop went down by a head to Frankyfourfingers on his seasonal appearance in the Maktoum Challenge Round 1 in February and was beaten by a neck by African Story in the third leg of the race series on Super Saturday.
Japan’s Hokko Tarumae, under Michiaki Yabe, and African Story, last year’s winner, under James Doyle, set the early pace with California Chrome, the American horse of the year, stalking on the outside under Victor Espinoza.
Prince Bishop was at the back of the field and not much changed until they approached the final bend.
California Chrome looked imposing on the home stretch as he joined Hokko Tarumae hugging the rail. Buick made his move from the outside and drew clear to win.
The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner could not match the old warrior and finished second, with Lea and Candy Boy coming with late runs to occupy third and fourth, respectively.
Espinoza described a bumpy ride for the favourite. “It seemed like the other horses were bumping me around in there on the first turn and then on the far turn,” he said. “He kind of lost of his stride a little bit on the turn because [Hokko Tarumae] on the inside pushed me out. That kind of took some of the air out of his lungs. But overall, he ran awesome.”
Art Sherman, the trainer for California Chrome, was satisfied with the US$2 million (Dh7.3m) prize for second place. “Second money is not bad at all,” he said.
“He ran his eyeballs out. He was right there in contention all the way. He lost a little bit of ground, but no excuses.
“Turning for home he had an equal chance. Just was second-best today. That’s what happens in this game. The horse you think is going to win doesn’t always.”
Prince Bishop took $6m of the total $10m purse.
apassela@thenational.ae
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