China Horse Club has partnered with two of the world’s premier figures in the thoroughbred industry to race a budding star colt in Australia. The colt, Pride of Dubai, will contest the $A1,000,000 Inglis ATC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) having won the $1,000,000 Blue Diamond Stakes at his last start.
The China Horse Club race the star colt in partnership with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, the first cousin of the current ruler of Dubai, and Coolmore, the world’s premier racing and breeding operation.
“To partner in a horse with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa and with Coolmore is a fantastic opportunity for the members of the China Horse Club,” said Eden Harrington, General Manager of China Horse Club.
“Pride of Dubai was bred by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa and was exceptional in the Blue Diamond Stakes and we have faith that he can build off this performance and stamp himself as one of the stars of his generation. We already race elite horses in Australia like First Seal and Dissident and it is a great to be able to provide our members with another horse of this calibre.
“Pride of Dubai will run in a million dollar race this Monday and then a week later we have First Seal racing in the $A1,000,000 Queen of the Turf Stakes in the second leg of the Championship. Both are genuine chances and both provide our club members with wonderful experiences at one of the world’s premier carnivals.”
First Seal is the dominant filly of her generation and in her last three starts dominated the G2 Surround Stakes before being narrowly touched out in successive starts in the G1 Coolmore Classic and G1 Vinery Stud Stakes. Trainer John Thompson remains happy with her progress towards her next assignment.
Pride of Dubai announced himself as a superior colt when overcoming severe interference to win the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes, the richest two-year-old race in Melbourne. Trainer Peter Snowden elected to bypass the Golden Slipper and focus on today’s G1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes.
“I have always thought he would get better at seven furlongs [1400m] and the break he has had has helped him,” Snowden said in the Sydney Morning Herald.
“He is very relaxed and as we saw in the Blue Diamond he is pretty tough. He is a very good colt.”