UAE President’s Cup World Series reaches Italy; Godolphin seals historic Derby double

The third round of the 28th edition of the UAE President’s Cup World Series for Purebred Arabian Horses is set to take place at the San Siro racetrack in Milan, Italy, on Sunday.

The first and second rounds were held in the United States and France, respectively.

To be held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the directives of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the race will feature a field of nine Arabian, Italian and European Horses in the Group 2 - 2000m race.

The race offers cash prize of €50,000. The series witnesses the UAE’s efforts to promote global awareness about purebred Arabian Horses and their significance in the country’s culture and history.

The UAE has become a dedicated supporter of its mission to promote the culture and heritage of the Arabian Peninsula through its prized possession, the purebred Arabian Horse.

The Emirates Equestrian Federation launched the President’s Cup World Series for Purebred Arabian Horses in 1994 to promote the noble breed globally, which is now growing in popularity and appeal.

Established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to promote and celebrate Arabian Horses, especially in Europe and North America, and to prove that they can race competitively with thoroughbreds, the series is the first international race for Arabian Horses and remains the premier race for the breed.

Double delight as Hurricane Lane triumphs in G1 Irish Derby: Hurricane Lane completed a Derby double for Godolphin as he collared Lone Eagle close home to win a thrilling renewal of the G1 Irish Derby at the Curragh, Ireland, on Saturday.

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt had started his three-year-old season with two impressive victories, including the G2 Dante Stakes, before finishing third behind stable-companion Adayar in the G1 Derby at Epsom Downs earlier this month.

After showing good early speed, Hurricane Lane soon disputed third behind Matchless and Lone Eagle before being relegated to a close seventh after the first three furlongs.

The Godolphin runner was angled out to deliver his challenge for William Buick approaching the three-furlong pole and stayed on strongly to go second just inside the final quarter-mile, drifting towards the inside rail in the process.

Lone Eagle had already kicked for home under Frankie Dettori and held a four-length advantage a furlong and a half from home. Hurricane Lane made relentless headway on the leader throughout the final furlong, getting up in the final strides for a neck verdict, with the front two pulling seven lengths clear of Wordsworth in third.

Appleby said: “Coming into this race, I was confident that Hurricane Lane had gained a lot of experience from Epsom, when he was the most-fancied of our three runners. I think inexperience probably told that day – he came off the bridle a bit earlier than I expected at the top of the hill. He also lost both his front shoes, but we definitely saw a marked improvement in his homework afterwards.

“Mentally, you saw that he was on his A-game today and came into the race a more experienced and battle-hardened horse. He is a fantastic looking individual and it’s hard to fault him.

“I thought Frankie [Dettori] might have stolen the race on Lone Eagle coming down the hill, while the ground has tightened up over the last 24 hours, which was the only negative I could give to Hurricane Lane.

“I think there is more to come from him. We saw the improvement from Epsom to here and he is a big, scopey individual. We always felt that we didn’t have the sharpest two-year-olds going into last winter but we were hopeful that they would be a nice bunch of three-year-olds. So far, that is what they have proven and we can only hope that there can be some more improvement to come going into their four-year-old careers.

“We are heading to the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Adayar to test his mettle against the older horses. If he happens to finish in the first three there, then obviously the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe would come into conversations.

“It’s great for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has supported myself and the whole team so strongly over the years. People ask if there is pressure but it’s not pressure because he is a great man who knows that everyone is trying their best.”