“What a star,” exclaimed Frankie Dettori as he returned to the winner’s circle aboard Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who reaffirmed his love affair with Meydan with an historic third win in the G1 Dubai Turf.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained gelding, who races in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed’s son Sheikh Zayed’s racing banner, launched his attack under Dettori with just over a furlong left to run, coming wide down the home straight from way off the pace to relegate fellow late challenger Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) to second. Godolphin’s Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) faded to third having taken the lead from front-running El Drama (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) after turning for home.
Another triumph for longevity on the World Cup card, the 7-year-old Lord North landed his first stakes success late in his 3-year-old campaign, but it was the following year when the extent of his talent was first properly exhibited when he bounced straight from success in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. to Group 1 glory at Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales’s S. He was five when he made his first foray to Meydan, setting up what would transpire to be a Dubai Turf hat-trick with his three-length victory over Vin De Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who reopposed him this year but finished last of the 14 runners.
That first win in the Turf was Lord North’s sole appearance in 2021, with illness keeping him off the track until his prep run for a repeat bid last year. His runner-up spot behind Alenquer (Fr) in a strong renewal of the G3 Winter Derby had him perfectly primed for Meydan but, famously, Lord North had to settle for a dead-heat with Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who went on to win this year’s G1 Saudi Cup.
A winning return to the Winter Derby last month again saw Lord North arrive in perfect shape to provide Dettori with a memorable top-flight success in Dubai in his final year in the saddle.
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