First G1 victory of 2021 caps superb weekend

Godolphin secured a first G1 success of the year on Saturday, 6 March, on a hugely successful day that saw five horses bred and owned by the operation gain Group-race victories across the world.

Savatiano had finished second in the Canterbury Stakes 12 months ago but recorded a breakthrough G1 in the same Randwick sprint as she held on bravely in a thrilling race.

It was a deserved first win at the highest level for the Street Cry mare, who had previously scored five times in G2 company. On the same card, Anamoe continued a fine season for Godolphin’s juveniles in Australia when getting up near the line in the G2 Todman Stakes. The Street Boss colt now has his sights on the world’s richest two-year-old race, the G1 Golden Slipper, at Rosehill in two weeks’ time.

Meydan’s Super Saturday fixture witnessed several performances that bode well for Dubai World Cup Night later this month, including Walton Street leading home a Godolphin 1-2-3-4 in the G2 Dubai City Of Gold Sponsored By Emirates Holidays.

Having notched his first Group success at the age of seven, the son of Cape Cross will bid to emulate Hawkbill and Old Persian, who both followed up their Super Saturday wins with victory in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup Night.

G1 Al Quoz Sprint contender Final Song also looks set to attempt a Super Saturday/Dubai World Cup Night double as she continued her renaissance over six furlongs with victory in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint Sponsored By Emirates.com.

Godolphin’s eight Graded Stakes wins in North America last year helped the operation scoop the Eclipse Award for outstanding owner, and the class of 2021 is already halfway towards that total following a tremendous start to the season.

Bernardini filly Micheline became the latest to add her name to the list when taking out the G2 Hillsborough Stakes on her seasonal return at Tampa Bay Downs.

Her half-brother Proxy will also be hoping to graduate to G2 honours when he tackles the Louisiana Derby later this month, while a step up in class beckons for Lake Avenue as well following a comprehensive Stakes win at Aqueduct last week.

Immediate plans for two of Godolphin’s other recent Graded winners have also been firmed up over the past week.

Mystic Guide is due to ship out for the G1 Dubai World Cup, while unbeaten champion juvenile Essential Quality will look to take another step towards the Kentucky Derby in the G2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in early April.