Pride of Dubai had a Group I double at the weekend with his brilliant mare Bella Nipotina winning the Group I Tatts Tiara and in France overnight his globe-trotting superstar Dubai Honour hit top form winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m).
A familiar face in Australia, the William Haggas trained gelding ventured to Sydney in 2023 winning both the Group I ATC Ranvet Stakes and Group I ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but his victory in France was his first success in a Euro G1.
Ridden by Tom Marquand, he worked through along the inside to score a half length win .
“The two Group 1s in Australia were fantastic but to win a Group 1 in Europe was important,” said Maureen Haggas, assistant trainer.
“Dubai Honour seemed to really enjoy himself today and looked to be travelling well all the way. The ground was probably a bit quick for him but maybe the trip [2400m] on this ground is more suitable.
“He seemed to stay the trip really well which gives us another option. William [Haggas] will decide where he goes but he's in lots of Group 1s all over the place. He's just a star of a horse and every time he gives his all. He's so good in his mind.”
Purchased for 110,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by Rabbah Bloodstock, Dubai Honour has the overall record of eight wins and six placings from 24 starts.
Dubai Honour is the best of three winners from Mondelice, an unraced half-sister by Montjeu to Frankel’s globetrotting Group III winner Last Kingdom.
Dubai Honour is one of four elite Group I winners for Pride of Dubai in the past 12 months include Pride of Jenni, Bella Nipotina and NZ trained Desert Lightning.
It’s hard to find a better value sire in the Hunter Valley with the top class son of Street Cry priced at just $22,000 at Coolmore this spring.
