Imperial Emperor On Course for Dubai World Cup Redemption

[Wandering Eyes]

Deva Racing's bargain buy Imperial Emperor (Dubawi) is being primed for a second tilt at the Dubai World Cup after his breakthrough Group 1 success in last month's Al Maktoum Challenge.

That Meydan victory took Imperial Emperor's career earnings to more than $1.3 million, with his form reaching a whole new level since his purchase for just AED300,000 (around €70,000) at the 2024 ERA Racing in Dubai Sale. Formerly trained for Godolphin by Charlie Appleby, the six-year-old is now in the care of Bhupat Seemer and has won five of his seven starts in the blue and red silks of Deva Racing.

The worst performance of that sequence came when Imperial Emperor trailed home last of the 11 runners in last year's Dubai World Cup, after which he is reported to have returned lame.

“We were so disappointed last year with his run in the race,” said Deva Racing's managing director, Ryan Tongue. “To be fair, we didn't think when we bought him that he was going to take us to the World Cup, so we were just delighted to be there.

“He was disappointing, but we found he had a slight knock after. He was fine the following day and has come back even better this year. He's an exciting horse. He's been brilliant and, for the dream we've had, he's been fantastic.”

Reflecting on Imperial Emperor's defeat of Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance) in the Al Maktoum Challenge, Tongue added, “The race just panned out really well for us. The draw in stall eight suited us, because we don't like kickback on the inside and we can always go around them.

“I think a few horses had a difficult passage through and we just had plain sailing. The way he quickened around the bend and down the straight was very impressive, and Richie Mullen gets on so well with him.

“He's been an unbelievable horse, for Dubai anyway. [He won] the Group 2 [Al Maktoum Mile] in December, Group 1 last time, and hopefully he'll go and bag another Group 2 and the Group 1 in March.”

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