SALUTE THE SOLDIER (by Sepoy) led from the start to take the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Race 3 at Meydan over 2,000m on dirt, thus winning 2 legs of the 3 in the Al Maktoum Challenge. He is now firmly on course for the $12m Dubai World Cup at the end of March, where he will lead the contenders from those based In the UAE for the Carnival.
He becomes the first Group 1 winner for owner HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the second for trainer Fawzi Nass – both firmly flying the flag of Bahrain. Bought by Oliver at the 2019 Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale for 380,000 Guineas, he’s now won a Gr.3, Gr.2 & a Gr.1 – hopefully a big slice of $12m will be added!
12th STRAIGHT PAKISTAN DERBY WINNER IN A ROW
SAHIL won the Pakistan Derby in Lahore over 2,400m in a course record time of 2m34m3.5s for owner Khawaja Atif. Bred by long time client Abdul Mamdot’s Qadirabad Stud this was the 3rd Derby in a row for stallion Dunhill Star (by Danehill x Sueboog) out of Hosanna (Replay (by Sadler’s Wells)). Sahil is a full-brother to 2014 Derby winner The Incredible.
This was the 17th Derby win for Oliver in Lahore in the last 21 years, and his 12th straight Derby win in a row. This was a 10th win as a breeder for Qadirabad Stud and their 3rd win in a row.