Curlin- the racing monster who claimed the 2008 Dubai World Cup
Getting declared as the best dirt horse in training for the year 2008 was the star of the Dubai World Cup after fighting off an international field at Na Al Sheba. Smart Strike’s son did not only win the race but set a record while racing through the mile and two furlong track. Curlin, the Horse of the Year won the richest race by the staggering margin of 7 ¾ lengths.
"What a horse," marvelled winning rider Robby Albarado. "Curlin is like a limousine and I am just along for the ride."
"He's thriving when he is running," Curlin trainer Steve Asmussen said. "He's a tremendous animal. He's spoiled us with who he is."
"It's a great privilege for me to be on him," said Albarado, who rides the 4-year-old for trainer Steve Asmussen. "I just show up and ride him and get the glory, but everybody works so hard. ... It's easy when you ride a great horse like Curlin. He's not even tired."
He took on the field of eleven rivals without really exerting himself. He chased the leaders into the stretch and upon the little tugging of the jockey, Albarado, he rode over Well Armed and then took down Asiactic Boy, grinding in for the wire gamely.
The chestnut horse bred by Fares Farm Inc did not disappoint the American crowds and connections as he sealed the fate of the 2008 edition of the Dubai World Cup.
He was sent as the 2 to 5 favourite for the race and delivered right upon it.
The Steven Asmussen trained had won the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Club Invitational, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, Jaguar Trophy, these are the races that preceded the Dubai World Cup after which he won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap.
Curlin took up the spot of the fourth horse to have bagged the Dubai World Cup after landing the Breeders’ Cup Classic the previous year. After winning the Dubai World Cup, he ranked third behind Cigar and Skip Away after his earnings surged to $8,807,800.
2008 turned out to be the final active season for Curlin after which he was send to the stud. For the racing sensation who has not missed winning much, seizing the 2008 Dubai World Cup was inevitable.
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