Thoroughbred One Man Band wins one-mile race at Dubai World Cup

Irish horse One Man Band owned by Emirati Sheikh Saeed Bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum, a member of the Dubai royal family, finished the 1,600 meter (one mile) long dirt track first in 1 minute 35.21 seconds at the 21st edition of the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest equestrian race.

Jockey Sam Hitchcott led the race with One Man Band from the beginning and finished with distinct, saying after the race that when he finds the right pace from the start like today, the 5-year old thoroughbred is a reliable partner.

"When One Man Band takes the lead, he gets a big heart as he loves the one mile dirt track," said trainer Doug Watson. "We worked hard to get to this point, it is fantastic for jockey Sam and for the entire team."

One Man Band cashed in 600,000 U.S. dollars prize money of the one million dollars total prize money that was distributed and sponsored by Dubai real estate developer Meydan Sobha. Trainer Watson and jockey Hitchcock accepted the prize money and the cups amid applause from 60,000 spectators in the sold-out Meydan hippodrome.

Thoroughbred Faulkner from the United Kingdom, ridden by Irish jockey Dane O' Neill, came second, while American horse Cool Cowboy from Russian owner Zaur Sekrekov was third.

A total nine horses started instead of the announced 10, as dark bay brown American thoroughbred Le Bernardin owned by Emirati Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum dropped out before the race on Dubai's Meydan Racecourse.

Source:Xinhua