Dubai Honour Conquers Europe with Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud Victory
Dubai Honour, the globe-trotting gelding who made waves in the Sydney racing scene last year, has added a prestigious European Group 1 title to his impressive résumé. The William Haggas-trained horse won the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m) at Saint-Cloud in France, proving too strong for his rivals in the extended distance race.
This triumph marks Dubai Honour’s third Group 1 victory, following his victories in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick and the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill in Australia last year. Haggas’s wife Maureen expressed her delight at seeing the horse succeed at the elite level in Europe, stating:
“The two Group 1s in Australia were fantastic, but to win a Group 1 in Europe is important, and over a new trip too.”
Jockey Tom Marquand, who partnered Dubai Honour in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Sunday’s win, praised the horse’s well-deserved success:
“He’s a Group 1 winner down in Australia, but until he got one in the Northern Hemisphere, I think people still half-doubted him until he managed to do that.”
Dubai Honour’s victory came in impressive fashion, with the gelding powering home along the inside to score by 1-3/4 lengths from Feed The Flame, with Point Lonsdale finishing third. The win takes Dubai Honour’s record to eight victories from 24 starts, showcasing his versatility and consistency at the highest level of international competition.
The 2400m triumph opens up new possibilities for Dubai Honour, with the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2406m) at Ascot on July 28 being one potential target for the globe-trotting star. Haggas acknowledged the win provides the team with another option, stating:
“He seemed to stay the trip really well, it’s great because it gives us another option.”
Dubai Honour’s European success is a testament to his exceptional talent and the hard work of the Haggas stable. As the racing world turns its attention to the upcoming events, Dubai Honour’s name is sure to be on the lips of enthusiasts and pundits alike, eager to see what this remarkable horse will achieve next on the global stage.
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