Imperial Emperor, second to Walk of Stars in the 2025 Al Maktoum Challenge (G1), was second to none in the Jan. 23 renewal on Fashion Friday at Meydan Racecourse, opening a big lead in the stretch before coasting to victory and a guaranteed spot in the Dubai World Cup (G1) March 28.
The victory was celebrated by the well-populated ranks of owner Deva Racing, jockey Richard Mullen, and trainer Bhupat Seemar. Seemar saddled half the eight Thoroughbred winners on the all-group-stakes program.
The night's second top-level event, the Jebel Hatta (G1T) at 1,800 meters (about 1 1/18 miles) on the turf, was celebrated with some relief by the home team as Opera Ballo won convincingly for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin, trainer Charlie Appleby, and jockey William Buick. Buick won three races on the card.
Imperial Emperor was always prominent in the 1,900-meter (about 1 3/16-mile) Al Maktoum Challenge and the 6-year-old Dubawi gelding moved clear of his rivals early in the stretch run. Although he appeared to be shortening stride in the final 100 meters, he had enough left to score by 1 1/4 lengths from Tumbarumba, who was making his second start in the United Arab Emirates for owner Wathnan Racing. The final time was 1:58.82.
Heart of Honor, second in the 2025 UAE Derby (G2) and then fifth in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and sixth in the Belmont Stakes (G1), raced last into the stretch, taking all the kickback, then finished with the best late kick to pick up the third-place check. Walk of Stars finished fifth.
Imperial Emperor not only earned a spot in the World Cup but also qualified for a $1.2 million bonus should he go on to win that race—a big deal for Deva Racing, which normally operates at more modest levels.
"We've got small budgets compared to a lot of people," said Ryan Tongue, director of racing for the partnership. "Now he's won a group 1 and invited himself to the World Cup. Onwards to the World Cup!"
Mullen said contesting the pace "wasn't the plan." But he said Imperial Emperor "gets himself in a great spot always. I've always said when you get to that (stretch) turn, that's where you are for the rest of the race."
The late-running third leaves Heart of Honor's future up in the air. Prerace, trainer Jamie Osborne said the Maktoum Challenge was "the day of reckoning" for the 4-year-old. "Our plan has always been to have him peaking in the second half of the Carnival—maybe for Saudi, maybe for the World Cup."
Opera Ballo Dominant in Jebel Hatta
The night's turf feature was a triumph for Godolphin as Opera Ballo almost showed too much talent for his own good in the Jebel Hatta.
Buick was all out while trying to get the Ghaiyyath 4-year-old to relax early in the race, prompting some concern on the part of trainer Appleby before he took the lead and drew off to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Silawi. Holloway Boy was third and Godolphin veteran Nations Pride settled for fourth after setting the pace for his stablemate.
"As William's always said, they can't go fast enough for him," Appleby said of Opera Ballo, who covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.64.
"He's competitive and he has all the talent in the world," Buick said. "He's still got a little bit to learn. Then he'll be a proper horse."
It was the sixth win from eight starts for Opera Ballo but his first at the group 1 level and promised much for the rest of the season, starting with the Dubai Turf (G1T) on World Cup Night.
Firebreak, Al Shindagha Sprint
Seemar got things off on the right foot in the night's first Thoroughbred race as Mendelssohn Bay rallied from off the pace to take the Firebreak Stakes (G3) by 2 3/4 lengths over Commissioner King. The 5-year-old Mendelssohn gelding covered the 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) out of the backstretch dirt chute in 1:38.49 with Mullen up. The race logically would lead to the Godolphin Mile (G2) at the same conditions in March.
Drew's Gold, racing outside and without cover throughout, rallied to win the 1,200-meter (about 6-furlong) Al Shindagha Sprint (G3) by 1 1/2 lengths from El Nasseeb. One of three in the six-horse field trained by Seemar, the 6-year-old Violence gelding backed up a last-out victory with Buick aboard, coming home in 1:11.35.
Seemar did not plot out an agenda for Drew's Gold but Buick labeled him a prospect going forward through the Carnival. "He's a very progressive horse. Very straightforward," the rider said.
On the Turf
Elnajmm came off a long layoff into the Al Fahidi Fort (G2T), got a ground-saving trip behind a hot early pace, and won a scramble in the final 50 meters to score by a head over Chicago Critic. The 6-year-old Sea the Stars gelding finished the 1,400 meters (about 7 furlongs) in 1:22.57.
Trainer Michael Costa said Elnajmm "probably" would be a candidate for Super Saturday. "He's a horse that could go a little longer," Costa added, potentially opening the door to the Singspiel Stakes (G2T) at 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles).
Cover Up was in midpack and loaded for bear halfway through the Blue Point Sprint (G2T) and only needed running room. When Buick showed him daylight, the 6-year-old Exceed And Excel gelding exploded between rivals and ran on strongly to win by 1 length from Echo Point. Cover Up covered the 1,000 meters (about 5 furlongs) down the turf chute in :57.12.
"We thought there'd be plenty of pace in the race and there was," said co-trainer Ed Crisford. "He finished up super well. He loves Dubai." About plans, though, Crisford was noncommittal. "There are no more 5-furlong races here. So whether we put him away and take him back to the UK, we'll see."
Sunway finished the fashionable evening with a victory in the Al Khail Trophy (G3T), denying Epic Poet by a half-length at the end of the 2,810 meters (about 1 3/4 miles).
