Sole Power Drives to Al Quoz Sprint Win

Irish-trained multiple group I winner Sole Power ran down Peniaphobia and won the $1 million IPIC Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-I) by a half length March 28 at Meydan. 

Jockey Richard Hughes brought Sole Power from the back of the 16-horse field before completing 1,000 meters (about five furlongs) on good turf in :57.24.

Last year's winner Amber Sky, set sizzling early fractions and fought hard to repel fellow Hong Kong challenger Peniaphobia in the final 200 meters before yielding in the final furlong. Peniaphobia's advantage was short-lived as Sole Power proved too strong when roaring up the stands' rail to get the win.

Peniaphobia held for second, Green Mask was third for U.S. trainer Wesley Ward, and Amber Sky was fourth after spurting to the lead immediately in trying for a repeat win in the race.

"He has just come to himself, and on his day he was always capable of doing this," said Sole Power's trainer, Eddie Lynam.

Among Europe's top sprinters, Sole Power owns back to back victories in the King's Stand (Eng-I) (2013, 2014) at Royal Ascot, and two wins in the Coolmore Nunthorpe (Eng-I) (2010, 2014) at York. The bay gelding will be aimed for a third win in the King's Stand in June.

Sole Power was runner-up in the Al Quoz Sprint in 2012 and 2013 but was seventh in last year's race. He also finished a lackluster 12th of 16 runners in the Meydan Sprint (UAE-I) March 7 in his previous outing. 

"I don't know what Eddie (Lynam) has done to him since, but it worked," Hughes joked. "To ride any winner is a good feeling, but big ones on this night take some beating."

Earlier this month, Hughes, a three-time champion jockey in England, announced that he will retire from race riding at the conclusion of the 2015 season and embark on a training career in 2016.

Campaigned by Sabena Power, Sole Power was bred in Great Britain by Geoff Russell. The 8-year-old son of Kyllachy is out of the Distant View mare Demerger.