Dubai Future continues to roll back the years in G2 Dubai Gold Cup

Dubai Future posted the biggest win of his career at the age of nine as he readily beat a field of top-class stayers in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup on Dubai World Cup Night at Meydan, UAE, on Saturday, 5 April.

The son of Dubawi was aiming to continue an unbeaten start to his year for Saeed bin Suroor, having easily captured February’s G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on his first appearance for 427 days.

Last season’s G1 Gold Cup runner-up Trawlerman set sedate early fractions for the 10 runners, with Dubai Future held up in eighth by Silvestre de Sousa, one place behind stable-mate Passion And Glory.

Dubai Future closed slightly as the field started to bunch leaving the back and quickened strongly after being angled out approaching the final quarter-mile.

Double Major headed Trawlerman a furlong and a half out, although the dual G1 Prix Royal-Oak winner was collared entering the final half-furlong by Dubai Future, who surged clear to score by two and a quarter lengths.

Epic Poet took third, with Passion And Glory edging out Trawlerman for fourth in the final strides.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Dubai Future is improving all the time. We brought him to Dubai after a long time off. He won nicely last month and did well after the race, always working nicely.

“He is by Dubawi, so there is speed there, but I tried him over a mile and six furlongs, and he won well. I said then let’s try him at the big meeting over two miles. I told Silvestre to drop him behind, keep him relaxed, and the horse showed a good turn of foot.

“It is not easy for any horse to be sound their whole life, and he had a few setbacks, although they were nothing major. It took a while but thank God he has come back. Now we will take him to France next month for the G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier.”

Silvestre de Sousa said: “That was great. When Dubai Future won here on his debut this season, it was absolutely marvellous the way he did it. Fair play to Saeed, he had the horse spot on for today.

“I told Saeed after last time that the horse only cantered around, which took the freshness out of him. Today my concern was getting him relaxed but, for the first half of the race, I had him where I wanted him. His breathing was good and he was quiet in my hands.

“I am grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for giving me the opportunity to ride this horse today.”