Real World dazzles again in G2 Zabeel Mile

Real World continued where he left off in 2021 as he registered back-to-back G2 wins with another impressive display in the Zabeel Mile, the feature contest on week three of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 28 January.

The Dark Angel entire rose through the ranks for Saeed bin Suroor during an unbeaten European campaign last year that culminated with victory in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein on Arc weekend at Longchamp.

After breaking on terms, Real World raced exuberantly in a close third on the inside of Path Of Thunder, with Ajwad making the running for the 13-strong field.

Real World cruised up as Path Of Thunder briefly led just inside the final quarter-mile and soon took control, streaking clear of his rivals entering the final furlong.

He was kept up to his work by Daniel Tudhope to cross the line two and a half lengths clear of the staying-on Alfareeq. One Ruler finished a head further back in third, with another three lengths back to fourth home Path Of Thunder.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “We felt that Real World was 90 per cent ready for tonight. He was improving with every piece of work but needed this to make him spot on for the races coming.

“The pace was strong tonight and the lead horse helped Real World. I was very happy when everyone else had kicked and he was still on the bridle. He ran well and finished his race good.

“We will keep the options open for the G1 races for Real World now. He is in the races in Saudi Arabia, Super Saturday and Dubai World Cup Night. The reason we ran him on the turf tonight was to get him ready for the dirt races.

“It’s unfair sometimes to run a horse who is not ready on the dirt and he gets beat because people say that he is not a dirt horse. We will talk to Sheikh Mohammed and make a decision.”

Daniel Tudhope added: “Real World is a proper horse. You see the size of him and he is a big, powerful horse. He has got it all. They said he might be a bit fresh tonight and he has won over 10 furlongs as well, but it was his first run for a few months and that should put him right. This was just a stepping-stone and he has bigger and better targets.

“He changed his leads in the straight, picked up nicely and galloped out strongly to the line. I think the further I was going, the better.”