Not a complete surprise as the locally trained winner was Al Shemali and that cemented the Trainers' Chmapionship for Ali Rashid Al Raihe landing his first ever winner on Dubai World Cup night, and a brilliant ride by Royston Ffrench who took the race by the horns to come away from Bankable who ran on well from the back and Imbongi. Great win in this Group 1 for all concerned and a good way to claim the Trainers' title

QUOTES

Royston Ffrench, jockey, Al Shemali, 1st: “It was a pleasant surprise but the stable had been in terrific form and I knew he’d stay. It was the case of getting a clear split and we got it. It’s the most prestigious win of my career.”

Kevin Shea, jockey, Bankable, 2nd: “It was a very good run. The pace was just too slow. The best horse didn’t beat us. It was the pace that beat us. But we’re happy.”

Christophe Soumillon, jockey, Imbongi, 3rd: “He didn’t have too many problems at the gate. The race was going well but the winner took my position as we were moving forward. I thought we were only going to finish fourth or fifth, but this horse is one of the most generous I’ve ridden and he kept fighting for me.”

Victor Espinoza, jockey, The Usual Q. T., 4th: “He ran very well. I had a good trip. He was a little tough in the beginning of the race but he settled down nicely behind other horses. He just didn’t have enough today. I would be happier if won, but I am happy he ran well.”

Edgar Prado, jockey, Take the Points, 5th: “I had a beautiful trip. There was an easy pace at the beginning of the race. He took command around the 500 metres but the others ran a little harder than him. He tried hard.”

John Egan, jockey, Lahaleeb, 6th: “She ran fantastic. Unfortunately, I had a bad draw. I think if I had a good draw, I would have definitely been in the shakeup.”

Wayne Smith, jockey, Ibn Battuta, 7th: “He ran disappointingly. He jumped the gates but he was never travelling with me. I had a crack turning in but he was not himself today.”

Weichong Marwing, jockey, Good Ba Ba, 8th: “He missed the start and he got back a bit far, bit that’s his style anyway. The real problem was that there was no pace in the race and he never got into it. I don’t think he was that comfortable in and among horses anyway.”

Garret t Gomez, jockey, Courageous Cat, 9th: “I had a really good trip. I had a split just before we were turning for home, and I went to go for it and he didn’t respond. Then I went to the inside and I had a spot there, too, but he wasn’t getting across the ground the way he usually does. He travelled well for a mile but when it was time to go at the quarter pole, he just kind of dropped it.”

Ahmed Ajtebi, jockey, Calvados Blues, 10th: “He did everything right. I followed the field but when I asked him, he didn’t show me that much. We stepped him up in class and he wasn’t ready for it.”

Richard Hills , jockey, Snaafy, 12th: “No excuses.”

Ryan Moore, jockey, Confront, 13th: “Ground was too hard and he didn’t pick up.”

Lanfranco Dettori, jockey, Alexandros, 14th : “Disappointing. It’s not my night.”

Ted Durcan, jockey, Justenuffhumor, 15th: “No excuses.”