Godolphin'sSkysurfers held off a stubborn Mufarrh to capture the $1 million Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Etisalat (UAE-II) at Meydan Racecourse March 26. The son of E Dubai rallied in the final strides to take the event by a determined half-length.
Ridden by Frankie Dettori, the Godolphin colorbearer was settled in mid-division as Conveyance and I Want Revenge went to the front and set the early pace. That duo continued to lead as the field entered the far turn, but several runners were beginning to make their moves.
Dettori had Skysurfers traveling smoothly out toward the center of the course, as Mufarrh, ridden by Richard Hills, was saving ground down on the rail. With just under two furlongs to go, Hills set Mufarrh down for the drive and the 4-year-old gelding took the lead as Conveyance began to fade. At the same time, Skysurfers was flying down the center of the course, drawing alongside Mufarrh with less than a furlong to run.
Skysurfers finally wore down Mufarrh and was able to shake off his challenger within the shadow of the wire to notch a half-length victory. Red Jazz was third, another 3 1/4 lengths further back.
The fiinal time for the eight furlongs was 1:37.65 over the Tapeta surface. Make Music for Me finished seventh with Mike Smith aboard, while I Want Revenge checked in 10th under Ramon Dominguez.
The victory by Skysurfers marked the eighth time trainer Saeed bin Suroor has won the race, and it was the sixth time in the winner’s circle for Dettori.
“We knew he was coming into the race in very good form," bin Suroor said. "He was traveling well turning for home. The second horse was very tough, but I was always confident that he and Frankie would get there. This is his best distance and it's important that he has a break between races.”
Skysurfers is a 5-year-old horse by E Dubai out of Fortune, by Night Shift. He was bred in England by Darley.