Almanaar surges clear to win the G1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap

Son of Dubawi is one of three weekend Stakes winners for his sire as he records his first victory at the highest level

Almanaar provided the highlight of a successful weekend for his sire Dubawi as he stormed down the centre of the turf course to win the G1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap by three-quarters of length on 11 February.

It was the first Graded Stakes win for the five-year-old son of Dubawi, who entered the race off a narrow neck loss in the G2 Fort Lauderdale Stakes.

Ridden patiently by jockey Joel Rosario, Almanaar raced in sixth through the first six furlongs of the race. The chestnut improved his position entering the far turn, and was taken four wide as the horses hit the top of the straght. Almanaar continued to reel in the frontrunners through the home straight, eventually getting up to win by three-quarters of a length.

Owned and bred by Shadwell Stud, Almanaar is out of the Bahhare mare Baqah, winner of the G2 Prix de Sandringham and Listed Prix d'Angerville.

Earlier in the day, another son of Dubawi - North America - could not have been more impressive when recording a seven-length victory in the G3 Firebreak Stakes at Meydan. This was his fourth consecutive win and he could now possibly target next month's Dubai World Cup.

The feature race at Abu Dhabi on Sunday was the Listed HH The President Cup and Akeed Champion completed a hat-trick of Stakes winners over the weekend for Dubawi when taking the seven-furlong contest by a length and a quarter. This was his fifth career win and his first at Black type level. 

Dubawi, sire of 18 Group winners last year alone, has now sired 27 G1 winners, including Postponed, New Bay, plus fellow Darley stallions Hunter's Light, Night Of Thunder and Poet's Voice.

Dubawi stands at Dalham Hall Stud for a fee of £250,000, October 1st SLF.