Frosted, racing for the first time outside North America, could not have been more impressive in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 Sponsored By EGA over nine and a half furlongs on dirt at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, February 4.
Frosted, racing for the first time outside North America, could not have been more impressive in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 Sponsored By EGA over nine and a half furlongs on dirt at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, February 4.
The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained four-year-old colt, one of the leading performers last year, was ridden by William Buick for the first time.
Frosted broke well and raced a close second towards the outside as Munaaser took the nine-strong field along at a good pace.
William Buick asked the grey son of Tapit to challenge two furlongs out and Frosted soon took the lead, going clear with a terrific turn of foot to win eased down by five lengths from Gold City in a new course record time of 1m 56.67s.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, Godolphin's founder and driving force, commented: "I think Frosted is a very good horse.
"It is nice to see we have a horse for the G1 Dubai World Cup but that race will attract horses as good as Frosted.
"The horses Frosted beat tonight are not as good as the ones he will meet in the Dubai World Cup. Kiaran is a great trainer and we welcome him back home to Dubai."
Kiaran McLaughlin, who used to train in Dubai and was enjoying his 422nd UAE success, explained: "Frosted is a very nice horse and William rode him great.
"It is great to return to Dubai and be in the winner's enclosure with Sheikh Mohammed again.
"We are happy to come here from America and for everything to go perfectly. Shipping is always a worry but Frosted has settled in well.
"William did a great job with Frosted, waiting and waiting. Then when he asked him, Frosted responded.
"Frosted set a new course record in this prestigious race and we have to decide now whether we are going to run back here on March 5 for round three of the Al Maktoum Challenge or go straight for the Dubai World Cup (March 26).
"The chances are that we won't run him before the Dubai World Cup as he is fit enough and ran so well tonight, but we will talk about it.
"This is my first time at Meydan. I am in awe of Meydan - it is beautiful and fun. Frosted and my other horses have been training at Charlie Appleby's place which has great facilities, while Charlie has been very helpful."
William Buick added: "I am not surprised that it was a new track record as Frosted felt very impressive.
"I am very pleased with the way the race went. He had a very uninterrupted trip and didn't have a hard race - it all went very smoothly so it was a nice stepping-stone for him because he has had a bit of a lay-off.
"He should have enjoyed that experience and will come on bundles for it. Frosted gave me a very nice feel and is a very nice horse.
"He has been very well prepared by Kiaran and the team. I am very grateful to be on Frosted.
"He still has a couple of steps to go before he is there for the Dubai World Cup but he couldn't have done much more today."
