Thunder Snow defends Dubai World Cup title

Mohammed Abdullah, Staff Reporter

DUBAI: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow won the spectacular $12,000,000-purse Dubai World Cup title at Meydan on Saturday.

Watch Sheikh Mohammed celebrate Thunder Snow’s victory at the Dubai World Cup: pic.twitter.com/HRQtkyG7WR

Defending champion Thunder Snow, ridden by Jockey Christophe Soumillon, sprinted to the finish line in a photo-finish to reclaim the Dubai World Cup crown for the second straight year.

He became the first dual winner to hand trainer Saeed Bin Suroor his ninth Dubai World Cup title. Thunder Snow is owned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Later Sheikh Mohammed lifted the Dubai World Cup trophy.

Sheikh Mohammed took to Twitter and said, "Congratulations to @godolphin’s THUNDER SNOW at the #DubaiWorldCup. And congratulations to the #UAE for hosting an event that brings together the best horses, the biggest owners and the fastest and richest of races.”

The five-year-old defied a wide draw to give trainer Saeed Bin Suroor his ninth success in the feature of the world's richest raceday.

Favourite Capezzano and Gronkowski made the early running ahead of Thunder Snow, but the defending champion stayed on under pressure from jockey Christophe Soumillon to overhaul Gronkowski in the dying strides and win by a nose after a photo finish.

The 4/1 shot landed the $12 million prize for Godolphin owned by the Dubai Ruler.

Gronkowski had to settle for second at odds of 28/1, while Gunnevera (12/1) was a distant third as Capezzano slipped out of contention.