LAUREL RIVER runs riot in $12 million Dubai World Cup with record winning margin
Laurel River turned the Dubai World Cup into a procession when running out a wide-margin winner for local trainer Bhupat Seemar and jockey Tadhg O’Shea.
Formerly trained by Bob Baffert, the Juddmonte-owned six-year-old was trying the 10-furlong trip for the first time but with two furlongs to run had the race won.
The likes of Derma Sotogake, Ushba Tesoro, Newgate and Kabirkhan had garnered most of the pre-race talk, with Laurel River almost sneaking in under the radar.
It looked a brave decision to step him up in trip, despite winning a Group Three by almost seven lengths over a mile last time out.
O’Shea was allowed to dictate the race from a long way out and under no pressure, he went further and further clear.
Entering the final furlong, he was still 10 lengths ahead and while Laurel River understandably got tired late on, he crossed the line well ahead of Ushba Tesoro and Senor Buscador.
The winning trainer said: “I would like to thank Juddmonte and His Royal Highness for sending me the horse. I was worried that they might be going too fast but Tadhg got the right fractions and also a breather into him.
“It’s the greatest feeling to have won this race, but what he was doing in the mornings made me think, ‘what has this horse got?’
“There is so much stamina in his pedigree but his training was out of this world.”
O’Shea added: “I tell you one thing, I have never ridden one as good as him. I never dreamed I would win the Dubai World Cup, it really is the stuff of dreams.
“He behaved like a pony; he hit the gates and did everything from the front, it was unbelievable. He gave himself every chance to get the distance, it’s an amazing feeling.”
#horseracing #horse #horses
Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA
Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4
Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA
Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo
Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa
You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm
Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs