Imperial Emperor a New Group 1 Winner For Dubawi In Al Maktoum Challenge

[Wandering Eyes]

Twelve months on from having completed a Bhupat Seemar one-two finish, Deva Racing's IMPERIAL EMPEROR (IRE) (g, 6, Dubawi {Ire}–Zhukova {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) put stablemate and 2025 winner Walk of Stars (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) to the sword approaching the final furlong of Friday's G1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan and streaked away to punch his ticket to the G1 Dubai World Cup over an extra 100 metres in a couple months' time.

Exiting a victory over Commissioner King (Commisioner) and Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn)–second and first, respectively in Friday's G3 Firebreak Stakes–in the G2 Al Maktoum Mile Dec. 19, Imperial Emperor was given a positive ride by the in-form Richie Mullen and sat handy to the pace as longshot Masmak (Vino Rosso) made the running from the rail-skimming Walk of Stars.

Asked to win his race on the swing for home, Imperial Emperor went through his gears and finished full of running to account for Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), who also stayed on well for second. Favoured Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.) found himself at the tail given the strong tempo and was under urging from Saffie Osborne fully 1000 metres from home. Switched out for the drive, the 4-year-old found his best stride late and outfinished 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Artorius (Arrogate) for third.

Imperial Emperor is the 64th top-level winner for the legendary Dubawi.

Sales history: AED300,000 HRA '24 ERAMAR. Lifetime Record: 13-7-1-1. O-Deva Racing; B-Godolphin; T-Bhupat Seemar

 

IMPERIAL EMPEROR dazzles in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan! pic.twitter.com/TDL6ZufBIp

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 23, 2026

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