Old Persian shines in Dubai Sheema Classic

Dubawi records his 39th top-flight winner with decisive victory for his talented son

Dubawi’s four-year-old son Old Persian has always been highly regarded and on Saturday, 30 March, he confirmed himself as a truly top-class performer with a decisive win in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

Settled just off the pace under William Buick, Old Persian took up the running two furlongs out and was never seriously challenged, winning by a length and a half.

Old Persian won twice at two, before reappearing at three with victory at Newmarket. He went on to land the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, before beating future Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (Teofilo) in the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York. He added another Group victory to his record on Super Saturday at Meydan this year, landing the G2 Dubai City Of Gold.

Old Persian is out of Indian Petal (Singspiel), a half-sister to G2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner Silkwood and from the family of the great Miesque. Indian Petal has a yearling full brother to Old Persian and is currently in foal to Dubawi’s 2,000 Guineas winner and first-season sire Night Of Thunder.

Dubawi, one of the world’s leading stallions, has now sired 39 G1 winners, including fellow Dubai Sheema Classic winner Postponed (whose first foals are now on the ground), plus another young Darley stallion in Hunter’s Light.

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