First Conquest impresses again in G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes

First Conquest maintained his perfect start to 2025 at Meydan as he swooped from the rear to take the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes on Friday, 31 January.

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old, stepping up in class and trip on the back of a dominant win in the Lord North Handicap, broke half a stride slow for William Buick and was held up in a clear last.

First Conquest still had all eight rivals in front of him with three furlongs left and started to make inroads around the field at the top of the straight.

The son of Teofilo stayed on down the centre of the course to reel in Cairo inside the final half-furlong before going away for a comfortable length-and-a-quarter victory.

William Buick said: “The plan was always to ride First Conquest quietly, like Mickael [Barzalona] did when he won here the first day. That is how he runs best, and that was over nine furlongs, whereas today was 10 furlongs.

“The pace was better than I expected, although it was not strong by any means. I ended up behind a couple of horses who were not going to take me into the race. When the rail is out as far as it is this evening, it is not easy to come from the back like that.

“First Conquest did it well and is a horse really going through the grades now. Once he relaxes in the run and does things the right way around, he has that good finish. He has always been a talented horse – he won the Wood Ditton last year – and hopefully he can improve again.”