Animal Kingdom Rules World Cup

Derby Hero Animal Kingdom Rules World Cup
By Jack Shinar


Photo: Mathea Kelley
Animal Kingdom charges to victory in the Dubai World Cup.


The drought for America in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) came to an end March 30 when champion Animal Kingdom galloped clear in the homestretch for a spectacular score at Meydan Racecourse.

Joel Rosario rode the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) victor to a 2 1/2-length triumph in the $10 million event—the world's richest horse race —for trainer Graham Motion and owners Arrowfield Stud and Team Valor International.

Australia also shares in this World Cup victory as a majority interest in the 5-year-old son of Leroidesanimaux, who was purchased by John Messara's Aussie-based Arrowfield from Barry Irwin's Team Valor last December. Animal Kingdom is to begin his stud career later this year in Australia.

Since 2010, when the World Cup relocated to Meydan and its Tapeta racing surface, no American-based horse had been in the top three finishers in the international event.

Animal Kingdom, forwardly placed on the outside of pacesetter Royal Delta in the 2,000-meter test (about 1 1/4 miles), took the lead rounding the final turn and opened up a daylight advantage in upper stretch. Well clear down the lane, he finished willingly as 50-1 Red Cadeaux emerged from the pack in the final 200 meters to get up for second.



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