The Richest Derby and the Richest Juvenile Race

Saturday witnesses the running of the richest Derby in the world, as well as racing’s most valuable Two Year Old race, thousands of miles apart.

Here in Dubai Mike de Kock aims for his third UAE Derby, and if his 4/5 on shot, Asiatic Boy, grabs it, he will leapfrog Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor as the most prolific conditioner of Derby winners in UAE history.

Down under, the Golden Slipper is staged at Rosehill Gardens for Aus$3 million and among the favourites are sons and daughters of Rock of Gibraltar, Hussonet and Danehill Dancer, all of whom are featured as sires of yearlings in the 2007 Summerhill National Sales draft.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al MaktoumBut of even greater connectivity to the farm is the fact that the favourite for the UAE Derby, Asiatic Boy, as well as the outright people’s choice for the Slipper, Murtajill, are both owned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, who owns resident sire, Hobb Alwahtan and some thirty broodmares at Summerhill.

Don’t worry, Sir. The whole place is rooting for you and your team.