H.H. the Aga Khan’s high-class stayer Vazirabad recorded back to back wins in the Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup on Dubai World Cup day at Meydan. The five-year-old son of Manduro produced a masterclass of acceleration and courage under a perfectly-timed ride by Christophe Soumillon to secure his second title in this $1 million, two-mile event.

Slowly away, Vazirabad was given plenty of time by his jockey, but once he asked for an acceleration in the straight, the response was immediate and the powerful dark bay showed an exceptional turn of foot to reel in Beautiful Romance in the shadow of the post.

In the winners’ enclosure, after apologising to connections for the scare he had given them with such a close victory, Soumillon commented, « I gave him the time to get into the race and fortunately for us the pace was quite good. I knew we could make up some lengths, especially on this ground. When I came into the straight I knew he was going to give me a good turn of foot. It’s good to come at the last moment with him because he can be a bit green in front.”

The Alain de Royer-Dupré trained gelding now counts ten successes from fifteen outings, including a double in the Gr.1 Prix Royal-Oak. He is now likely to contest the top long-distance contests across the channel, with the Gr.1 Goodwood Cup a summer target, and the Gr.1 Ascot Gold Cup a possibility.

Vazirabad is a half-brother to six winners, most notably Listed victrix and Group placed Visoriyna (Dansili). His dam Visorama, by Linamix, won the Gr.3 Prix de Flore and finished third in the Gr. 1 Grand Prix de Saint Cloud. She is a half-sister to Group 1 scorer Varenar. Visorama has a yearling colt by Sinndar and is currently expecting a foal by Charm Spirit. She will be covered by new Haras de Bonneval sire Dariyan this season.