It was a Godolphin exacta in the G3 Dubai Millennium S. at Meydan on Friday as Royal Fleet (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a paternal grandson of the race's namesake, defeated last year's winner Star Safari (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) by a short head.
Away without incident, which could not be said for the slow-starting Lucius Tiberius (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), the Charlie Appleby trainee was aggressive as the field left the short chute and found an ideal position in a pressing second as Marie's Diamond (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) cut out the early running. In a good rhythm, Royal Fleet stayed just off the flank of the pacesetter as the field tackled the bend and, once given an inch of rein from pilot James Doyle, surged up to apply some pressure to Marie's Diamond. The latter was noticeably lathered, and Royal Fleet stuck his head in front at the quarter-mile pole as the well-fancied Star Safari came with his run from farther back.
Confronted by his stablemate 200 metres from home, Royal Fleet proved dour and although headed, fought on with his rival appearing to have his measure. A few jumps from the line, he edged back in front to claim the victory. Castlebar (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who'd had to alter course for racing room when making his bid, ran on to take third 2 1/4 lengths back.
A winner of his first three starts including the July 10 Mile H. at Newmarket, the Godolphin colourbearer lost his unbeaten record with a fifth in the Skybet Mile H. at York later that summer, but rebounded to take a Doncaster handicap by a half-length on Sept. 11. Gelded shortly thereafter, he ran with credit to be second in both the Jan. 21 G2 Al Rashidiya and the Feb. 11 G2 Singspiel S., prior to Friday's victory.
Pedigree Notes
Royal Fleet is the 222nd black-type winner and 145th group winner for his Darley sire Dubawi, who counts 48 Group 1 winners among them. Bred on the same cross as G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine Nezwaah (GB), the winner is the third foal and third winner out of G3 Prix de Lieurey heroine Zibelina. Royal Fleet is followed by his winning 3-year-old full-brother Noble Order (Ire) and a yearling colt by Blue Point (Ire).
Also a winner of the Listed Valiant S., Zibelina is a half-sister to black-type winner Floristy (GB) (Fasliyev), the dam of three-time group winner Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and stakes winner Inspiriter (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Third dam Talented was just that, striking in the Sun Chariot S. when it was still a Group 2 and also placing in the G3 Lancashire Oaks, G2 Ribblesdale S. and G3 Prix de la Nonette. At stud, she threw Epsom Derby third Carlton House (Street Cry {Ire}), who raced in the colours of Her Majesty The Queen to wins in the G2 Dante S. and G3 Brigadier Gerard S. besides another trio of Group 1 placings in the UK and Down Under.
Friday, Meydan, Middle East
DUBAI MILLENNIUM S. (PRESENTED BY LINCOLN)-G3, $150,000, Meydan, 2-25, NH4yo/up & SH4yo/up, 2000mT, 2:01.61, gd.
1–ROYAL FLEET (GB), 129, g, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Zibelina (Ire) (GSW-Fr, SW-Eng, $105,891),
by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Zaeema (GB), by Zafonic
3rd Dam: Talented (GB), by Bustino (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB);
T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle. $90,000. Lifetime Record:
8-5-2-0, $231,855. *1/2 to Royal Crusade (GB) (Shamardal),
GSP-Eng, GSW-Fr, SP-UAE, $143,240. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
*Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Star Safari (GB), 130, g, 6, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Intimhir (Ire),
by Muhtathir (GB). (€200,000 Ylg '17 BBASEP). O-Godolphin;
B-Gestut Brummerhof (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. $30,000.
3–Castlebar (Ire), 129, g, 4, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Aimhirgin Lass
(Ire), by Pivotal (GB). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK-
TYPE. (€460,000 Ylg '19 GOFOCT). O-Fahad Mohammed
Aloraini; B-Irish National Stud (IRE); T-Helal Alalawi. $15,000.
Margins: SHD, 2 1/4, 1HF.
Also Ran: Burgas (Tur), Marie's Diamond (Ire), Integrant (Fr), Lucius Tiberius (Ire), Iron Butterfly (Swe), Volcanic Sky (GB), Al Maysan (GB), Pensiero d'Amore (Ire), Big Team.
Click for the Racing Post chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.
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