It’s an exact Godolphin during G3 Dubai Millennium S. at Meydan on Friday like Royal Fleet (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), grandson of the same name, beat last year’s winner Star Safari (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) by a short head.
Absent guests without incident, that can’t be said to be a slow start Lucius Tiberius (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), intern Charlie Appleby was very energetic when the pitch left the short chute and found the ideal position in a rushing second when Marie’s Diamond (Ire) (Footsteps and {GB}) eliminates early runtime. In a good rhythm, the Royal Fleet was right on the side of the plane when the pitch hit the bend and, once controlled an inch by pilot James Doyle, rose to put some pressure on Marie’s Diamond. The latter was noticeably noticed, and Royal Fleet pitched its head ahead at the quarter-mile post while the famous Star Safari came out with his run from further behind.
Confronted with his steady friend 200 meters from home, Royal Fleet appeared exhausted and, despite being on top, still battled its seemingly rival. A couple of jumps from the line, he stepped back to win. Castlebar (Ire) (The invincible god {Ire}), who had to change the track for the race room when making his bid, ran back the third distance by 2 1/4.
The winner of the first three starts including July 10 Mile H. at Newmarket, color typist Godolphin lost his unbeaten record with a fifth in Skybet Mile H. in York at the end of the season. That summer, but recovered to a half Doncaster handicap- which lasted 11 September. Held soon after, he ran for second place in both G2 Al Rashidiya on 21 January. and G2 Singspiel S. February 11, ahead of Friday’s victory.
Genealogical Notes
Royal Fleet is the 222nd black category winner and 145th winner for Darley sire Dubawi, who has 48 Group 1 winners among them. Bred on the same cross as the G1 Pretty Polly heroine S. Nezwaah (GB), the winner was the third pony and the third winner of the G3 Prix de Lieurey heroine Zibelina. Royal Fleet is followed by a 3-year-old brother who has won the Noble Order (Ire) and an adorable Blue Point pony (Ire).
Also a Valiant S. List winner, Zibelina is half-sister to black winner Floristy (GB) (Fasliyev), three-time winner of the Lazuli (Ire) group (Dubawi {) Ire}) and the Inspiring (GB) stake winner (Invincible God {Ire}). Third dam Talent is just that, featured in Sun Chariot S. when it was still Group 2 and also in G3 Lancashire Oaks, G2 Ribblesdale S. and G3 Prix de la Nonette. At school, she threw the Carlton House (Street Cry {Ire}) third Epsom Derby, who raced in the Queen’s colors to win G2 Dante S. and G3 Brigadier Gerard S. alongside another trio of Group 1 won 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.
first-ROYAL FLEET (GB), 129, g, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
First Dam: Zibelina (Ire) (GSW-Fr, SW-Eng, $105,891),
by Dansili (GB)
2nd beat: Zaeema (GB), by Zafonic
3rd smash: Talent (GB), by Bustino (GB)
WIN TYPE 1 BLACK. WIN GROUP 1. 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. Nick Werk Rating: A +++.
* Triple Plus *. Click to view eNicks report and pedigree of 5 children.
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), of Pivotal (GB). TYPE 1 BLACK. GROUP 1ST BLACK-
CATEGORY. (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 to view Racing Chart or Free Equineline.com catalog style genealogy. Videotapes.
