Godolphin’s Thunder Snow wins $10m Dubai World Cup

The Dubai ruling family’s privately owned stable Godolphin rode to victory at Saturday’s Dubai World Cup with Thunder Snow securing the top $10m prize.

The horse, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and saddled by Christophe Soumillon, was followed by America’s West coast and Ireland’s Mubtaahji in the 2,000m main event at Dubai’s Meydan Racecourse.

A total of $30m was awarded across the nine group races, with Godolphin taking home most of the prize money after Bentabl’s victory in the $6m Dubai Turf and Hawkbill’s success in the $6m Dubai Sheema Classic on top of the main event.

Thunder Snow’s securing of the main trophy marked the eighth time a Suroor-trained horse had won the event.

“Saeed gave me lot of confidence before the race. I wasn’t ready to ride him that positively and I thought there would be more speed on the inside. He jumped so well that I thought I would have to make it. The first time I rode him I thought that when he leads that no-one can beat him, but it is difficult to make it,” jockey Soumillon said.

“However, it wasn’t that difficult in the end. Saeed did a great job and the horse made everything – it makes the jockey’s life so easy when ride you great horses. I’m in heaven now, I’m not sure exactly what’s going on but we’re going to have a big party tonight.”

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was handed the gold cup by Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE minister of finance Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Also on stage to celebrate the victory was UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, Dubai Ruler and Godolphin founder Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“It was a pleasant surprise,” the crown prince said of the victory.

The event was attended by 70,000 fans and drew participation from 118 horses from across the world.

Last year, Saudi-owned Arrogate secured the main prize at what is described as one of the world’s richest horse races.

Read: Saudi-owned Arrogate wins Dubai World Cup