African Story justifies stable confidence in Godolphin Mile

African Story won the race named in honor of his stable (Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club) Tabbed by trainer Saeed bin Suroor, and by jockey Frankie Dettori, as their best chances on World Cup night, Godolphin’s African Story duly lived up to their bullish expectations in Saturday’s Group 2, $1 million Godolphin Mile at Meydan. The odds-on choice got a lovely stalking trip on the fence, peeled out turning for home, and stamped his class en route to a commanding four-length victory, Godolphin’s seventh in the stable’s eponymous race. (Or eighth, if counting Allied Forces’ win in 1998 when the race was called the Nad al Sheba Mile). “It was my banker of my night and it was very easy,” Dettori said. “I’ve always said this was our best chance of the night,” agreed bin Suroor, an eight-time winner in the race. “I was really pleased how he looked coming into the race.” African Story, who had earned favoritism by his dominating score in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday March 10, completed the metric mile on Tapeta in 1:37 2/5. This second career stakes victory boosted his earnings to $924,895 from a 12-5-3-3 line.

Although Do It All figured to set the pace, he never managed to get to the
front from post 11. Instead, British shipper Red Jazz ended up carving out the
pace, stalked by Do It All and Snaafy in the early going. Western Aristocrat,
uncharacteristically farther back near the rear, was pulled up by jockey Ryan
Moore.

Leaving the far turn, Dettori deftly angled African Story off the rail,
threaded the eye of the needle between horses, and the race was over in a few
strides. Viscount Nelson rallied from far back to finish a clear second by 1 3/4
lengths from Red Jazz.

“Never going to beat the winner, so finishing second was as good as a win,”
said Kevin Shea, who rode the runner-up. “Really excited about the run.”

Michael Hills, who piloted Red Jazz, remarked, “He was third last year, so
pound for pound it was almost an identical run. He’s been off for a very long
time, he didn’t lack race fitness, just that racing edge, but he battled on well
when he was headed.”

Richard’s Kid also worked home late for fourth, just
failing to grab third by a neck.

“That’s his style of running, he always comes from the back,” explained
Richard Mullen, who had the call on Richard’s Kid. “There was a nice pace on,
and he got the splits when he needed them. He’s more of a 10-furlong horse, so
we’re pretty happy with this run.”

Haatheq, First City, Shamalgan, Sandagiyr, Derbaas, Dux Scholar, Snaafy and
Do It All rounded out the order of finish while Barbecue Eddie was withdrawn
earlier in the week.

Western Aristocrat was reportedly
uninjured, but Moore acted in an abundance of caution because the Jeremy Noseda
colt had lost his action.

“I really don’t know what happened, but the horse is fine,” Moore said.

Bred by Darley in Great Britain, African Story is by Pivotal and out of the
stakes-placed Gone West mare Blixen. The five-year-old chestnut gelding counts
as his second dam Grade 1 queen Danish, a full sister to Group 3 winner and
multiple Grade/Group 1-placed Ace.