Walsh Aims to Keep Perfect Dubai Record With Cazadero

No trainer running on March 25 boasts a better Dubai World Cup meeting record than American trainer Brendan Walsh.

Irish-born, U.S.-based, Walsh is two-for-two at Meydan Racecourse. The perfect record is thanks to Plus Que Parfait , winner of the UAE Derby (G2) in 2019, and Extravagant Kid , who was successful in the 2021 Al Quoz Sprint (G1). He heads to the $1.5 million Al Quoz Sprint again with grade 2 winner Cazadero . The 5-year-old gelded son of Street Sense  's adventure will bring back good memories for Walsh, who worked in Dubai with Godolphin before starting his own training career.

"Everything about the year we won the Derby with Plus Que Parfait was a fond memory," he said of his breakthrough Dubai win four years ago. "To go out there after spending so much time there previously and to win was magical, the type of stuff you dream about. Unfortunately, due to COVID, I didn't make the trip with Extravagant Kid but that again was brilliant, unbelievable really."

There are similarities between Cazadero and Extravagant Kid, said Walsh, although the former has a record with a few less miles than his stablemate, who won the Al Quoz at 8. Owned by Qatar Racing in partnership with Marc Detampel, Fergus Galvin, and Barry Clohessy, 5-year-old Cazadero has won four of his 11 starts, including the Nearctic Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine. The gelding was bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, who also won the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) at 2 at Churchill Downs and was runner up in the six-furlong Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn Park at 3. Cazadero was initially raced by Stonestreet, which eventually sold him in the 2022 Keeneland April Horses of Racing Age Sale, where Galvin signed the ticket on a $50,000 purchase from consignor Eaton Sales. Cazadero won the Nearctic Stakes six months later and now has $364,905 in career earnings.

"Of course he fits the bill, he loves the extra distance from the normal five or 5 1/2 furlongs that we get in the U.S., similar to Extravagant Kid," said Walsh. "I think he will like the straight six furlongs (1,200 meters), too. He's an easy enough horse to train; very straightforward."

Cazadero will be partnered by multiple grade 1-winning jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who will make his UAE debut this year.

"Tyler rides a lot for me in the U.S.," added Walsh, who won't be making the trip to Dubai.

"It falls on a very busy weekend here," he explained. "I have Pretty Mischievous  the same day at Fair Grounds in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) as well as Santin  and Reckoning Force  in big stakes at Turfway, so between works and races I can't manage to get away.

"Roger Horgan has traveled over," he continued. "When Kiaran McLaughlin retired we were lucky enough to get him on our team from Kiaran's."

Watching from afar won't make victory any less sweet if Cazadero keeps the Walsh Dubai record intact.