Real World reaches new heights with impressive G3 Strensall Stakes victory

Real World continued his remarkable ascent with a dominant display on his first G3 appearance in the nine-furlong Strensall Stakes at York, UK, on Saturday, 21 August.

The four-year-old colt was completing a hat-trick of wins for Saeed bin Suroor since switching to turf earlier in the summer, having easily won the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot and the Listed Steventon Stakes at Newbury.

After breaking on terms, Real World tacked across from his wide draw and soon raced in second of the seven runners behind El Drama. Real World cruised up under Marco Ghiani with two and a half furlongs to race and took up the running soon after. He went clear entering the final furlong, galloping out powerfully to prevail by a length and a half over this season’s G1 Jebel Hatta Sponsored By Emirates Airline victor Lord Glitters.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Real World won well. He is a horse who is improving all the time and we wanted to run him at this level after his wins at Royal Ascot and Newbury. He always looks classy in the mornings with the way he trains and it was a huge race today.

“The G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day will be his final run of the season and we could take him to Newmarket or France beforehand. He is a nice horse but needs to improve more.

“We took him to Dubai this year but he was still weak. We brought him back here and gave him a chance on the turf at Royal Ascot, when he handled it well. Every time he has run, he has improved and he will get better with age.

“Marco Ghiani was keen to ride Real World again and I am very happy for him – he is young but looks as though he is going to be one of the best jockeys. When I first saw him riding, he looked confident, and he is one for the future.”

Marco Ghiani said: “Real World seems to have no problem with a mile or a mile and a quarter and, as soon as a horse comes to his quarters, he tries his best to not let them pass. He has a really good attitude. He won’t stop until everyone else has, he could keep going all day.

“I’ve have never ridden in a G1, so I don’t know what a G1 horse feels like but Real World has lots of ability and he keeps improving. I am sure that he would have a good chance at that level.”