It’s fitting that a race named after one of their all-time greats has become a happy hunting ground for Godolphin, and the Dubai-based operation aims for an eleventh win in Friday’s G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes (sponsored by Emaar).
Charlie Appleby has won the race eight times, including the last seven, with his roll of honour including such greats as Ghaiyyath, crowned the Longines World’s Best Horse in 2020.
This year’s runner, First Conquest (pictured), isn’t quite in his league just yet but was taking when overcoming a slow break and a wide draw in the Lord North Handicap last time out.
“First Conquest won impressively on his first start in Dubai and has come forward for the run,” said Appleby. “He is stepping into Pattern company and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the rise in class.
“We are dipping our toe at this level to see where his future lies and will hopefully be a lot wiser afterwards.”
First Conquest’s nine rivals include ‘miracle horse’ Asaassi, who continued his comeback from a career-threatening injury when the impressive winner of a course and distance handicap four weeks’ ago.
“When he came over [from the UK]he had a mystery slice through a tendon and the vets didn’t think he’d make it,” said trainer Michael Costa. “We took last season to just do some foundation work with him and this season he’s just continued to improve.
