“Arrogate can do anything!”
JOCKEY Mike Smith had so much confidence in Arrogate in the Dubai World Cup on Saturday night that he rode him the same way he used to ride the great mare Zenyatta, but he would not be drawn into saying which of the pair was better.
Arrogate’s earning are now over US$17 million, which makes him the highest stakes earner in thoroughbred history.
Smith deliberately missed the break and dropped Arrogate out to last, the same way he used to do with the huge striding Zenyatta, whose only defeat was in her 20th and final start. and fought on bravely for fourth to claim another placed finish for De Kock in this lucrative event.
Mubtaahij, meanwhile, earned a cheque of US$500,000 to end a disappointing Dubai Carnival for De Kock, at least by his high standards, on a high note.
Smith said Arrogate was a horse who “can do anything”, i.e. he can lead, come from last and they can go fast or slow, it doesn’t matter to him.
He added: “Look at him, he looks like he hasn’t taken a breath.”
In the latest Longines world rankings Arrogate was in joint first place on 127 with the phenomenal Australian mare Winx.
This performance should take him to the top.
The Bob Baffert-trained four-year-old had lost on debut over six furlongs, but has won his next seven starts, including four Gr 1s in succession over a mile and two furlongs. (2000m).
He has twice beaten the previous darling of the American dirt, the seven-times Gr 1-winner California Chrome, including in the world’s richest thoroughbred horse race, the US$12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational.
Smith had previously said Arrogate was very much like his father Unbridled’s Song, on whom he won two Gr 1s in the midnineties.
The grey colt’s laid back style of running means he looks to have plenty of racing still in him if Juddmonte Farms opt to keep him in training.