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You are in: Special Events: 2001: Royal Ascot |
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Saturday, 16 June, 2001, 13:08 GMT 14:08 UK
Dreaming of Dubai legacy
Saeed bin Suroor: Man on a mission
BBC Sport Online's Frank Keogh speaks to Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor about his hopes for the future and the loss of Dubai Millennium.
It is 12 months on since Dubai Millennium set Royal Ascot alight with a scintillating victory. And the loss of this wonder horse, who later suffered an injury and then died at stud, is keenly felt. But stable trainer Saeed bin Suroor has revealed there is hope the horse may yet prove to have been a great stallion. He told BBC Sport Online: "It is difficult to find a horse like Dubai Millennium. "He was a star since he came to us - the best horse in the stable as a three-year-old. The place is empty without him."
Dubai Millennium's impressive eight-length victory in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot last year followed his Dubai World Cup triumph. A showdown with the season's other superstar Montjeu was on the cards, before injury struck. And then earlier this year, he died after being hit by colic and grass sickness at stud. His trainer, who has enjoyed 16 winners at the Royal meeting, speaks sadly of his loss, but there is a hint there may be some kind of legacy. "He covered 80 mares. I hope from this fold there is some star," he said. Dubai Millennium was the best horse Bin Surror has trained so far, but he believes a new superstar could emerge in "a few years." Meanwhile, Godolphin are in great form after recovering from surprise early-season reverses. The performance of Tobougg, one of last season's best two-year-olds, was a particular disappointment when he could only finish ninth in the 2000 Guineas.
But the horse, with Frankie Dettori aboard, ran a blinder in the Derby to finish third and reward punters who had backed him down from 25/1 to 9/1 on the day. Bin Suroor said nothing had appeared amiss after the Guineas race at Newmarket. "Before the race, he was good, and after the race we checked everything and there is nothing wrong. The horse is class." Godolphin is the brainchild of the Maktoum family, with Sheikh Mohammed the driving force behind it. Since being formed in 1994, the team has strived to produce a unique international thoroughbred stable. Using their Dubai homeland as one training base, with another at Newmarket in England, they send out runners to Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Europe and America. Dozens of Group One wins in 10 countries is tribute to their success. And among the high hopes for this year's Royal Ascot are a repeat triumph in the Prince of Wales Stakes with Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Fantastic Light. "This really is a brave horse and will always give you his best," he said.
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