Archipenko provided yet another stakes win for the powerhouse Mike de Kock racing stable as he rolled to an impressive two-length victory in the Al Fahidi Fort (UAE-II) at Nad al Sheba Feb. 21.
The South Africa-based trainer now has 13 wins from 49 starters this current racing season in Dubai. Five of those victories have come in stakes races run during the Dubai International Racing Carnival.
Archipenko, a 4-year-old son of Kingmambo, started his career in Ireland for Aidan O’Brien. He made eight starts for the Coolmore team before being sold to the partnership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum and Dr. A. H. Parker. Prior to this victory, the colt’s best race was a sharp win in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (Ire-II) last May.
Sporting blinkers for the first time, Archipenko broke alertly under Kevin Shea but was content to let the jockey rate him in sixth, just a few lengths behind the leaders, Big Timer and Lord Admiral.
Shea swung Archipenko wide as the field rounded the far turn, and the pair took aim for Lord Admiral, who had taken command as Big Timer began to fade with two furlongs left. Royal Oath, a John Gosden-trainee, made a bold move up the center of the course and quickly overhauled Lord Admiral with a furlong to run.
Archipenko was now flying on the far outside, and charged past Royal Oath in the final 100 yards to win going away.
Royal Oath finished second, completing a 1-2 finish for the stallion Kingmambo. Lord Admiral held on for third, 4 1/4-lengths further back. Time for the one mile on the turf was 1:39.31.
De Kock was pleased by the effort of his new trainee, saying afterwards, “He is a nice horse who we hope is improving. The Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I) is his target.”
Archipenko, who is out of the stakes-winning Nijinsky II mare, Bound, was bred in Kentucky by Eagle Holdings. He is from the immediate family of champions and leading sires Sadler’s Wells and Nureyev.
Mike de Kock's Archipenko scored an impressive two-length victory in the Al Fahidi Fort.
