Dubai Honour, the globe-trotting gelding who conquered Sydney last year, added a European Group 1 to his CV late on Sunday night, Australian time.
The William Haggas-trained galloper won beyond 10 furlongs for the first time when too strong for his rivals in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m) at Saint-Cloud in France.
It was the third Group 1 of a career that includes victory in last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick and Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and Haggas’s wife Maureen said it was a huge thrill to see him win at the elite level in Europe.
“The two Group 1s in Australia were fantastic, but to win a Group 1 in Europe is important, and over a new trip too,” she said.
“He’s just a star of a horse. He’s six years old and every time he gives his all. He is just one of those horses that we all want – we’d love 10 of them – but they’re hard to come by.”
Ryan Moore was aboard for Dubai Honour’s Ranvet win, but Tom Marquand partnered the gelding in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and was also aboard for Sunday’s win.
The pair made the most of a cosy run behind the speed before powering home along the inside and score by 1-3/4 lengths from Feed The Flame, with Point Lonsdale a neck back third.
“That was so well-deserved for him,” Marquand said.
“He’s a Group 1 winner down in Australia, but until he got one in the Northern Hemisphere, I think people still half-doubted him until he managed to do that.”
It is now eight wins from 24 starts for Dubai Honour, who is by Blue Diamond and ATC Sires’ winner Pride Of Dubai, sire of Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara winner Bella Nipotina and leading Australian Horse of the Year contender Pride Of Jenni.
In addition to Australia, Dubai Honour has also campaigned in Hong Kong and Dubai outside the UK.
The 2400m win opens more doors and demands consideration be given for a start in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2406m) at Ascot on July 28, but Haggas said that is just one option.
“He seemed to stay the trip really well, it’s great because it gives us another option,” she said.
“I think you could come back to a mile and a quarter on slow ground with him.
“He’s in lots of Group 1s all over the place and William will decide where he goes.”
Dubai Honour scorches home against the rail to clinch his first European Group 1 in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud…@TomMarquand | @WilliamHaggas pic.twitter.com/6qaMXIshqo
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 30, 2024
