Dubai, April 2: Following the triumph of Monterosso, ridden by Mikael Barzalona, at the Dubai World Cup main event on Saturday night, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai — the founder of the Godolphin stables which owns Monterosso — spoke exclusively to CNN’s Winning Post prior to and after the Dubai World Cup at the Meydan horse race course the same night.
The Dubai World Cup returned to Godolphin hands after a memorable one-two for Shaikh Mohammed’s racing operation. Monterosso, ridden by Mikael Barzalona, pulled ahead of stablemate Capponi to capture the coveted trophy. Both horses are trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni.
Excerpts from CNN’s Winning Post interview with:
Q: On why he built Meydan and started the Dubai World Cup:
A: “Well we thought about it and it was the horse you know descended from the horse in UAE and the thoroughbred is fantastic, thoroughbreds descending from these horses. So we bring the horse back home.
So actually we race in England, we race in America, we race in Australia, we race in Japan but not all the best horses come together, the Japanese stay home, sometimes they come to England, the Australians stay home, the Americans mostly stay home and also the Europeans. And we thought it if we can make a big Meydan here we can invite them all here and they are – it’s near to them, you know – centralised, so they come and see the magnificent horse race here and compete with all the countries…
Well remember it is in our blood. An Arab with a horse and a falcon… Our love to the horses and that’s why we backed this.”
Q: On thinking the Dubai World Cup would ever become so big:
A: “You have to dream. And our dream, and my dream.”
Q: On his predictions for the outcome of the race:
A: “I feel a lot of competition will be there’s a lot of beautiful horses from America, Europe, Japan, Australia, so you cannot tell. But you know really I am to bring them all together and to see this big party tonight I am honoured.”
Q: On winning the race with Monterosso:
“Yes it is really we haven’t won this race for a few years so to win it really it’s great, great feeling. For me and this is so happy not only for me but for United Arab Emirates and all our people.”
Q: On getting first and second in the race with Monterosso and Capponi:
A: “One-two finish, I mean when they came to the straight I thought will we win or is somebody coming to catch us? But it’s great.”
Q: On Mikael Barzalona (the winning jockey) celebrating before he crossed the finish line:
A: “My heart was in my throat at that time and I didn’t know what to say but thank god we won it and everybody has won — all the country, Ireland won, France won and that’s the racing. I’m double happy now!”
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