Kentucky-Bred Gladiator King Wins His Meydan Debut

Trainer Satish Seemar continued his success in the Dubawi Stakes Sponsored by Emirates NBD Private Banking (G3), the feature race on opening day of the Dubai World Cup Carnival Jan. 2 at Meydan, as Gladiator King gave him a sixth win in eight years.

The victory in the about six-furlong dirt race marked the debut for new connections of Gladiator King, a son of Curlin  bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings. In 2019, Gladiator King won a pair of stakes at Gulfstream Park, including the Hutcheson Stakes (G3), for owner Thoroughbred Champions Training Center and trainer Jaime Mejia. He last started in the U.S. June 1, finishing fifth in the Ocala Stakes at Gulfstream.

In his debut for new owner Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, the 4-year-old stalked the early speed under Mickael Barzalona before being sent for home halfway up the long Meydan straight, eventually hitting the front inside the final furlong to prevail by a neck over Ibn Malik.

"That was a very good performance in a strong race," Barzalona said. "He was always going well and picked up in style when I asked him in the straight."

Seemar noted Gladiator King looked good in training.

"You know, when you first get a horse, there's always a little worry and a little doubt, but this horse was training so well and really coming around," Seemar said. "It feels great to get a win for Sheikh Rashid."

'Song' Hits Right Note

Also Thursday, the UAE One Thousand Guineas Trial Sponsored by Emirates NBD Business Banking over seven furlongs on dirt was won impressively by Final Song, ridden by Christophe Soumillon for trainer Saeed bin Suroor and owner Godolphin.

The daughter of Dark Angel won her debut in Britain before finishing third in two group 2 events. She then disappointed when sent off the favorite for the Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes (G3) but adapted well Thursday to the change of surface.

Soumillon, who won the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) on his previous Meydan outing, said: "Obviously, I am very happy to get my Carnival going with a winner. She picked up very nicely, but I needed her to because we had a few traffic problems."