COUNTING DOWN TO 25 – ELECTROCUTIONIST WINS THE ELEVENTH RUNNING OF THE DUBAI WORLD CUP IN 2006

The Dubai World Cup meeting celebrates its historic 25th anniversary on March 27, with six Group 1 races and three Group 2s, including one of the world’s premier races, the $12 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Over the next three weeks, we will pay tribute to each of the previous Dubai World Cup winners. Today, we rewind to 2006 when Electrocutionist won the Dubai World Cup.

WATCH ELECTROCUTIONIST WIN THE 2006 DUBAI WORLD CUP

After performances of such quality by Discreet Cat in the UAE Derby, Heart’s Cry in the Dubai Sheema Classic and David Junior in the Dubai Duty Free, earlier in the evening it was hard to imagine that they could be surpassed, however Electrocutionist’s performance to win this 11th renewal of the Dubai World Cup was the stellar performance on a night of stars.

Purchased by Godolphin at the end of his four-year-old season, a year that saw him win two Group 1s, the Grand Prix di Milano and Juddmonte International, Electrocutionist followed a similar route to previous Godolphin contenders for the Dubai World Cup, running in the third and final round of the Al Maktoum Challenge, run over the same course and distance, three weeks beforehand. In an event that would determine whether he handled the dirt surface, it appeared he answered all questions with a seven-length defeat of the previous year’s winner Chiquitin.

But Godolphin’s plans would go awry in the days leading up to the event when Electrocutionist drew barrier one at the official post position draw, a gate that, in 10 previous runnings of the race, had not produced a placegetter. Electrocutionist’s lack of early speed would mean that he would have to settle back in the field and, therefore, suffer the kickback. It was because of this that many began to believe that the Americans, in particular, the recent Donn Handicap-winner Brass Hat, would improve on their imposing record in the race.

Japan’s representation at the meeting was a strong one and having already won two earlier races with Utopia (Godolphin Mile) and Heart’s Cry (Dubai Sheema Classic), confidence was high about Kane Hekili, the country’s premier dirt runner.

With 800m to go those opinions had plenty of support as Wilko travelled well behind Magna Graduate, Brass Hat was stalking them while Kane Hekili had the run of the race on the inside. Electrocutionist had come under pressure as the pace quickened again and he did appear to be struggling. Electrocutionist was switched wide to avoid the kickback, but he was giving away quite a considerable start. Brass Hat got to the front after a battle with Wilko and it did appear he had the race won as he drew clear however the never-say-die attitude of Electrocutionist came to the fore. Under hard riding from Frankie Dettori, in the final 75m he grabbed Brass Hat and actually began to draw away to win by over a length.

“I didn’t breathe for two minutes,” Dettori had said afterwards, “It was a great performance and it is great for Godolphin and the whole team.”

Electrocutionist won eight out of a total 12 career starts, including three Group 1s, and accumulated close to $6 million dollars in earnings.

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