Old Persian Scores Another Group 1 Win for Dubawi
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Photo: Mathea Kelley/Dubai Racing Club
Old Persian wins the Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan
Darley's flagship stallion Dubawi supplied his 39th group/grade 1 winner when Old Persian made his top-flight breakthrough in the Dubai Sheema Classic Sponsored by Longines (G1) at Meydan March 30.
Godolphin's homebred 4-year-old has now won eight of his 13 starts, including the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2)—in which he beat Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) hero Cross Counter, who landed the Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors (G2) earlier on the Meydan card—and the Dubai City Of Gold Sponsored by Emirates Skycargo (G2).
He is the first living foal out of Indian Petal, a twice-raced daughter of Singspiel whose siblings include Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) winner Silkwood, Cherry Hinton Stakes (G2) scorer Silent Honor, and the listed-placed Shrill. Further back, this is the same family as the ill-fated Permian.
Old Persian is the latest example of Dubawi's fruitful relationship with mares by Singspiel as he is the fourth group 1 winner bred on that cross.
The others include Qatar Prix Vermeille (G1) victress Left Hand and Total Prix Marcel Boussac-Criterium des Pouliches (G1) and Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) scorer Wuheida.
We are likely to hear plenty more about the Dubawi—Singspiel cross in 2019 as it is also responsible for Darley Dewhurst Stakes (G1) hero and QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) favorite Too Darn Hot, who is out of a Dubai Sheema Classic winner in Dar Re Mi.
A total of 13 winners have been bred on the Dubawi—Singspiel cross, according to Racing Post data, with other notable talents including Too Darn Hot's sisters Lah Ti Dar and So Mi Dar, Laugh Aloud, and Rare Rhythm.
Since delivering Old Persian, Indian Petal has produced the listed-placed Chapelli and also has a 2-year-old Pivotal filly in training with Charlie Appleby and a yearling brother to Old Persian. She was covered by Dubawi's Two Thousand Guineas-winning son Night of Thunder last year.
Old Persian is one of 108 group winners by Dubawi, who now boasts a mammoth 239 stakes performers on his stud record.