After winning a trio of Group 1s internationally in 2018, Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) left his followers wondering as a 5-year-old last year. Sure, he won his belated seasonal debut, the G2 Joel S. at Newmarket on Sept. 27, by five lengths, but he was last seen trailing home last of 16 over the heavy ground in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on Champions Day at Ascot on Oct. 19. The Godolphin colourbearer displayed nothing but brilliance, however, on return on Thursday in Meydan's G2 Singspiel S., taking the 1800 metre contest by 4 3/4 lengths geared down.
It is true that much else would have been a disappointment, with Benbatl towering over his four rivals on paper, but he still had to put it together on the racecourse. In control from the break, the bay was confronted by Famous Wolf (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) coming off the bend but required just the slightest shake of the reins to draw clear as Famous Wolf came under the whip. The margin was 4 3/4 lengths but could have been much more. For The Top (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Arg}) got up for second with Majestic Mambo (SAf) (Mambo In Seattle) filling third.
“He went to the front really easily,” Soumillon said. “I was quite surprised to see someone chasing me turning [into the stretch] because the pace was quite good; it wasn't too slow. I was like, 'what's going on here,' but then my horse had a good blow. He really dominated the race. He always runs good fresh, but it's nice to build on this and get him as fit as possible for the big race.
“To be honest, it wasn't the best lesson for a horse to have him in the front as the big favourite, but today was like a morning gallop on his own. Next time, if he has a chance to get cover, it'll be better for him. Today he was the best horse in the field and probably Dubai at the moment.”
Benbatl displayed talent at three, winning the G3 Hampton Court S. at Royal Ascot and placing in races like the G3 Craven S. and G2 Dante S., but it was at four that he really came to life. He won three of his four starts at Meydan that campaign, beginning with the then-Group 3 Singspiel and culminating in the G1 Dubai Turf. He ventured to Germany in July to take the G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis, and after finishing fifth in the G1 Juddmonte International he shipped Down Under to take the G1 Caulfield Cup by a short head before finishing second to Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G1 Cox Plate.
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor was keeping his cards close to his chest concerning Benbatl's future targets.
“He ran really well. I'm happy with him,” the trainer said. “He showed plenty of speed and was travelling really good. It didn't matter about the ground. The way he finished his race made me really happy. He was around 90% [fit]. There could be options.”
Pedigree Notes
Benbatl is the first foal out of the G1 Prix de l'Opera and GI Flower Bowl Invitational S. winner Nahrain (GB) (Selkirk), who is in turn a daughter of the G2 Ribblesdale S. and G3 Musidora S. victress Bahr (GB) (Generous {Ire}), who was also placed in the English and Irish Oaks and the Flower Bowl. The family traces its earlier roots to New Zealand, with the G1 Toorak H. winner Our Rokkii (NZ) (Roc de Cambes {NZ}) appearing under the third dam and the fourth dam being the New Zealand Horse of the Year La Mer (NZ) (Copenhagen II {GB}). Nahrain has a 2-year-old filly by Sea The Stars (Ire) and a yearling filly by Dubawi.
Thursday, Meydan, Dubai
SINGSPIEL S. PRESENTED BY LONGINES MASTER COLLECTION-G2, $250,000, Meydan, 1-9, 4yo/up, 9fT, 1:52.18, gd.
1–BENBATL (GB), 130, h, 6, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Nahrain (GB) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Eng at 9.5 to 11f,
G1SW-Fr & US, GSP-Ire, $1,041,961), by Selkirk
2nd Dam: Bahr (GB), by Generous (Ire)
3rd Dam: Lady of the Sea, by Mill Reef
O-Godolphin; B-Darley (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor; J-Christophe
Soumillon. $150,000. Lifetime Record: Hwt. Older Horse-Eng &
UAE at 7 to 9.5f, Hwt. Older Horse-Ger at 9.5 to 11f, G1SW-
UAE, Ger & Aus, MGSW-Eng 19-9-3-1, $5,445,821. Werk Nick
Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Fot The Top (Arg), 126, c, 4, Equal Stripes (Arg)–Felicitas One
(Arg), by Bernstein. O-Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi; B-
Haras El Turf (ARG); T-Salem bin Ghadayer. $50,000.
3–Majestic Mambo (Saf), 126, g, 5, Mambo in Seattle–Regal
Classic (SAf), by Al Mufti. O-Mrs M Slack & J T Peter;
B-Moutonshoek (SAF); T-Mike de Kock. $25,000.
Margins: 4 3/4, HD, SHD.
Also Ran: Famous Wolf (Fr), Gm Hopkins (GB). Scratched: Dream Castle (GB).
Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree or Video.
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