Stewart excited about top draw hopes

American feels Forever Unbridled has what it takes to hit the jackpot

Dallas Stewart is delighted to see his star mare Forever Unbridled cozily settle into prevailing conditions leading up to Saturday’s Dubai World Cup.

Trainer of the Dubai World Cup contender and reigning American champion, Stewart is making his debut in Dubai aiming to see his four-time G1 winner Forever Unbridled become the first filly or mare to win the big $10 million race.

This is also the first time that Forever Unbridled will be trying the 2000m distance, after which there are plans to send her into retirement. Interestingly, a filly or a mare has never ever won the Dubai World Cup. “She is a really good race horse, and that’s what I know about her,” Stewart told media in Dubai yesterday.

“She is dedicated in her running. She has no issues whatsoever with the surface, whether it is turf or dirt. And if she can beat the boys is what is left for us all to see on Saturday. I believe that’s what racing is all about,” he shrugged.

Foaled in April 2012, Forever Unbridled is best known for winning the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at age five after winning the Fleur de Lis Handicap and Personal Ensign Stakes earlier that year. She also won two Group 1 stakes races at age four before finishing third in the 2016 Distaff.

Sired by Unbridle’s Song and owned by Charles Fipke, the six-year-old travelled well while landing in Dubai last week. “She looks good. Her energy is good. Her appetite is great. She has travelled well. We allowed her to chill the first day, after which she jogged and drank a lot of water, and that’s a good thing,” Stewart related.

The trainer was effusive in his praise of his prospective World Cup night-winning mare. “What makes her so special is that she has always been very talented. Even when she had an ankle injury, we allowed her to rest and recover, after which she showed us how big and strong she is and how much great energy she has had all the time. She is just big and strong. Having a winner like that is any trainer’s dream and delight.”

is the prize money for the Dubai World Cup