Dark Saffron pulls $132.60 shocker in Dubai Golden Shaheen

As a late addition to the field for Saturday’s $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), Dark Saffron was an unlikely candidate to crash the Straight No Chaser versus Tuz party for several reasons. But none of those mattered once the race unfolded, and the local sophomore made history with a $132.60 surprise in this “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).

Reigning Breeders’ Cup Sprint hero Straight No Chaser ranked as the slight even-money favorite over defending champion Tuz, the 6-5 second choice on his home track. So dominant were the market leaders on paper that any chance of a boilover figured to come from a pace meltdown, theoretically benefitting a closer.

Dark Saffron, on the other hand, was sure to contribute to that pace. The Ahmad bin Harmash trainee had little in the way of stakes experience, having finished fifth in the Nad al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3) in his lone black-type attempt. His romp in a March 14 conditions race for sophomores ended up putting him into the mix here, eventually.

Absent from the probables released March 19, Dark Saffron was added to the Golden Shaheen later. Drawing the far outside post would likely force him to burn even more energy early, in a race loaded with classy, older, streetwise speed. But he proved up to the challenge, defying the stat that no three-year-old had won this race.

Dark Saffron blasted to the front and successfully crossed over for jockey Connor Beasley, a maneuver assisted by the failures of Straight No Chaser and fellow U.S. shipper Super Chow to muster speed. Straight No Chaser was surprisingly unable to keep up with the pace, revealing early on that this wasn’t his day. Super Chow cost himself by breaking a beat slow and never caught up.

It was the other sophomore, Japanese-based American Stage, who chased, while veteran Tuz tucked just behind them. Dark Saffron was bossing the field more comfortably than forecast, and Beasley cleverly kept the inside path too narrow for Tuz to try to sneak through. 

As Tuz desperately probed for room that just wasn’t quite enough, Wesley Ward’s Nakatomi rallied down the outside. Yet Nakatomi plugged on his left lead, rather than changing to his right that might have given him greater propulsion. 

That could have been the margin between victory and defeat, for Dark Saffron just lasted by a neck from Nakatomi. The Brookdale Farm-bred son of Flameaway finished about six furlongs in 1:11.40 to etch his name in the annals of Dubai World Cup (G1) night history. 

Nakatomi, a troubled third here last year, showed what he could do with a clean trip. Tuz had to suffer the what-ifs, along with his first loss of the 2024-25 Dubai season, another three-quarters of a length back in third. 

Kurojishi Joe fared best of the Japanese in fourth, with local Colour Up fifth in a bunched-up finish. American Stage retreated to sixth, followed by Eastern World, Straight No Chaser, Super Chow, Remake, and Drew’s Gold. Jasper Krone and Royal Commando were withdrawn.

Straight No Chaser was discovered to be “mildly lame” in the left front leg postrace, according to the stewards’ report.

Sultan Ali’s Dark Saffron, who hitherto raced for Mohammed al Suboosi, made a memorable debut in his colors here and improved his mark to 8-3-2-2. An impressive maiden winner at this track and trip Nov. 22, the dark bay gelding went on to place in conditions races on both dirt and turf. His decent second to Godolphin’s Symbol of Honour, and fifth to West Acre and older horses in the Nad al Sheba Turf Sprint, suggested that he had potential in this division. 

Dark Saffron’s recent conditions tally underscored the point, but it appeared to have greater meaning for the long term than for the immediate future. Given the lengthy careers of well-managed horses on this circuit, he’s one for the long haul too.  

Harmash Racing sourced Dark Saffron for $120,000 at OBS April. Out of the stakes-winning and Grade 2-placed Military mare Meadow Saffron, Dark Saffron hails from the family of Swiss Diva, Spectator, and last year’s Santa Anita Derby (G1) hero, Stronghold.