Dubai World Cup’s most impressive horse?

Not for no reason is the Dubai World Cup known as ‘the world’s richest horse race.’ The 2015 event saw over AU$13 million change hands as 14-1 shot Prince Bishop galloped to victory at the world-famous Meydan Racecourse, with a further AU$23 million being won over the nine races on this most special of days.

The most recent Dubai World Cup was, in fact, the 20th running of the race, so what better occasion to look back over its glorious history than by checking out perhaps its most memorable horse?

It’s sure to whet your appetite in preparation for the Dubai World Cup 2016 – which you can attend with your friends at Motive Travel!

Dubai Millennium: A privileged upbringing

There are few people in the otherworldly city of Dubai of more importance than His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Not only is he the Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed is also the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates itself. What’s more, the man is worth some US$12 billion, according to Forbes. So?

Dubai Millennium had broken a long standing track record and triumphant jockey, the highly decorated Frankie Dettori, was gushing in his praise.

Well, when such an esteemed figure’s favourite racehorse happens to be named Dubai Millennium, racing in the year 2000, it’s going to a pretty special moment indeed if such a horse crosses the line first at the Dubai World Cup – which is exactly what prevailed.

Faster than lightning  

Dubai Millennium tore around the track at a blistering pace from the off, leading by a furlong (about 200 metres to the uninitiated) for much of the race.

Winning at a canter, the next-best-placed competitor, Behrens, was a whopping six lengths behind, with the majority of the field another five back. Dubai Millennium had broken a long-standing track record and triumphant jockey, the highly decorated Frankie Dettori, was gushing in his praise.

“If I could ride only one again Dubai Millennium would be the one,” said the Italian master. Note the sadness with which Mr Dettori speaks – Dubai Millennium fractured a leg later on in the year. Though doctors were able to save his life, he later fell ill from grass sickness and passed away, much to the grief of the Sheikh.

Life after Dubai Millennium

It goes without saying that Sheikh Mohammed is an avid fan of the sport of kings, and for him to own one of the fastest horses that the world has ever seen was a fact of which he was very proud.

The truth is, Dubai Millennium was the best racehorse on Earth, if only for a short while. Let’s take a look at his greatest moment, and relive his victory one last time:

Categories

Archives

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.