Imperial Emperor finally delivered on a promise made 12 months ago, landing the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge in commanding fashion on a memorable Fashion Friday at Meydan and sealing automatic entry to the Dubai World Cup. For trainer Bhupat Seemar, it crowned an exceptional evening, while for the six-year-old gelding it was a performance that confirmed his standing among the elite of Dubai’s dirt division.
Settled just behind the pace under a confident Richie Mullen, Imperial Emperor tracked early leader Masmak before making a decisive move approaching the 600-metre mark. Once asked to stretch, he lengthened with authority, asserting control and staying on powerfully to defeat Tumbarumba by one and a half lengths. Heart Of Honor finished on at a distance in third.
The victory was the centrepiece of a four-timer for Seemar, whose stable dominated the card from start to finish. For the owners, Deva Racing, the result carried particular emotional weight.
“I’m ecstatic – actually, I don’t know how I’m feeling,” said Ryan Tongue, Director of Deva Racing. “This horse has taken us places we never dreamed of. To earn another chance at the Dubai World Cup is incredibly special.”
Mullen, enjoying a standout moment after returning from serious injury earlier in the season, praised the gelding’s professionalism.
“He’s very straightforward and always puts himself in the right place,” he said. “When the pace eased, I knew it was time to go. He picked up immediately and put the race to bed in a few strides.”
G1 Al Maktoum Challenge sets the tone for stellar Meydan card
The G1 Al Maktoum Challenge proved the headline act, but it was far from the only top-level performance on a packed programme that showcased depth across divisions.
Opera Ballo added his name to the honour roll in the Jebel Hatta, producing a scintillating display over 1800 metres on turf. Still keen in the early stages, the four-year-old was settled just off the leaders before surging clear inside the final 200 metres to score by two and a half lengths from Silawi, with Holloway Boy third. The success handed trainer Charlie Appleby another triumph in the race and continued the upward curve of a colt long held in high regard.
“He’s an exciting horse going forward,” Appleby said. “Once he learns to relax fully, there’s plenty more to come.”
William Buick, who enjoyed a superb evening in the saddle, later completed a sprint double when Cover Up swept home late to land the Blue Point Sprint, while earlier he partnered Drew’s Gold to victory in the Al Shindagha Sprint, further underlining Seemar’s dominance on the night.
The middle-distance and staying divisions also delivered compelling narratives. Sunway, a Group 1 winner at two, returned to the winner’s enclosure after a lengthy absence, digging deep under Silvestre de Sousa to take the Al Khail Trophy over 2810 metres. De Sousa rounded off the card in style by guiding Muraad to a second consecutive success in the Purebred Arabians’ Al Maktoum Challenge R2.
Among the younger generation, Six Speed made a significant statement in the UAE 2000 Guineas, leading throughout to score by five lengths and collect valuable international qualifying points. Seemar described him as “every trainer’s dream”, a colt combining speed with the stamina to stretch it over a mile.
Earlier, Andrew Slattery celebrated the biggest win of his career when Elnajmm edged out Chicago Critic in the Al Fahidi Fort, capping a determined return from a long layoff for trainer Michael Costa.
Yet as the dust settled on Fashion Friday, it was Imperial Emperor who commanded the spotlight. Twelve months on from finishing second, he returned stronger, sharper and decisive, turning near-miss into milestone and placing himself firmly on the road to racing’s richest night.
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