DUBAI 31 March 2019: Perhaps it was one of the most exciting finishes ever at the Dubai World Cup when Godolphin’s Thunder Snow snatched victory – and a US$12 million purse – by what seems a whisker.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and owner of Godolphin, appeared ecstatic as Thunder Snow came from almost nowhere at the last seconds of the world’s riches horse race and galloped his heart out to a wafer-thin photo-finish win.
Godolphin’s Thunder Snow was trained by Saeed bin Suroor and ridden by jockey Christophe Soumillon,
The 24th edition of the Dubai World Cup at the Meydan racecourse in Dubai, saw a hotly contested finale, managed to snatch the title of the world’s richest horse race with a total purse of US$12 million.
Sheikh Mohammedbin Rashid celebrated Godolphin’s achievement and lifted the trophy in presence of Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and Deputy Ruler of Dubai; UAE Minister of Finance Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Dubai Deputy Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
#DubaiWorldCup
Race 9: #Dubai World Cup
Winner: THUNDER SNOW
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Jockey: Christophe Soumillon
Owner: @godolphin pic.twitter.com/l3Dw2BN7g9— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 30, 2019
Sheikh Mohammed said he was pleased with the organising of the 24th edition of the event.
“The source of my happiness is not the precious cup, or the cash prize, but seeing the happiness of the UAE people, the owners, trainers, jockeys and the fans who keep waiting for this special event year after year,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Sheikh Mohammed recalled the time when the Dubai World Cup was won by the legendary horse ‘Dubai Millennium’.
“I love equestrian sports because every day there is something new in this industry. The passion for equestrian and horses runs in my blood and it is part of our Emirati and Arab heritage,” he noted.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said in a tweet: “Thunder Snow rumbled the night again!!”