Stunning Victory in the UAE Derby Makes Mubtaahij One to Watch in Kentucky Derby

Trainer Mike de Kock is no stranger to top-class runners. The South African conditioner has won some of the world’s richest racing events, but following a stunning victory by Mubtaahij in the $2 million UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates March 28, de Kock is rightfully Kentucky bound with a serious contender for this year’s Run for the Roses.

The UAE Derby has yet to produce a Kentucky Derby winner, but rarely is the winner of the lucrative event as imposing as Mubtaahij was on Saturday. Without question, Mubtaahij not only belongs in the Kentucky Derby field (he was an early nominee to the American Triple Crown), but is among the leading contenders for the industry’s signature race, which is a little more than a month away at Churchill Downs.

A truly international horse — he was bred in Ireland, trained by a South African and ridden by Belgian-born jockey Christophe Soumillon —Mubtaahij made a shambles of the global cast he faced on Saturday.

The explosive turn of foot demonstrated by Mubtaahij as he reeled in the pacesetters in the stretch is the kind of acceleration that is a dangerous weapon on the First Saturday in May. After inhaling the leaders in the UAE Derby, Mubtaahij hit the finish line geared down, 10 lengths in front of the outclassed runner-up. It was an outstanding performance that bordered on arrogance.

The recipient of a heady ride from Soumillion, Mubtaahij was not asked for more than was required to take care of business. As a result, Mubtaahij should have plenty in reserve for a tilt in Louisville in May.

With the decisive victory, Mubtaahij earned 100 qualifying points for this year’s Kentucky Derby and vaulted to the top of the leaderboard for owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum. His leap to the top of the point standings is fitting, as his latest win is among the most visually impressive of this year’s Derby preps.

Whether Mubtaahij can duplicate his dominant effort in the UAE Derby in the Kentucky Derby against the likes of U.S.-based runners El Kabeir, Carpe Diem, Dortmund and champion American Pharoah remains to be seen. One thing, however, is certain: de Kock would be well served to learn the words to My Old Kentucky Home ahead of a date with destiny in Louisville, Ky. on May 2.