Old Persian took command in the stretch and pulled away to an impressive two-and-a-half-length victory in the G1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday, 14 September.
It was the second top-level score this year for the four-year-old Dubawi colt. He captured the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March.
Sent off as the favorite in the field of six, Old Persian spotted his rivals several lengths at the start after he reared up just as the stalls sprang open. He recovered quickly and rushed up to join the rest of the field as they went into the first turn.
Jockey James Doyle then settled the Godolphin homebred into third, as longshot Cooler Mike led the field on a merry chase down the backstretch. At one point, Cooler Mike was in front by at least a dozen lengths over his rivals. Tiz A Slam raced in second, just in front of Old Persian, who hugged the inside rail.
Old Persian advanced into striking position midway through the far turn, as he and Tiz A Slam began reeling in a suddenly exhausted Cooler Mike. Old Persian took command at the three-sixteenths pole and never looked back as he pulled away to an impressive victory. Nessy rallied late and prevailed by a nose in a three-horse photo for the place spot.
Old Persian was bred in Great Britain and is out of Indian Petal (Singspiel), a half-sister to G2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner Silkwood. Indian Petal has a yearling full brother to Old Persian and produced a colt by 2,000 Guineas winner and first-season sire, Night Of Thunder.
The exceptional Dubawi is the sire of 41 individual G1 winners including this season’s other dual G1 victors Too Darn Hot and Coronet.
