From Dubai to Kentucky: Six Speed

It takes a certain amount of faith to buy a horse; race him 12,000 miles away and then expect him to turn up to the biggest race in your home country four months later.

Joe Dugan, co-owner of Six Speed, had that faith. After the speedy Bhupat Seemar-trained colt won his second and third starts, including the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, Dugan and his partner John Brunetti became interested. Very interested. Dugan takes up the story.

“We were looking for a ready-made horse for around four months to shorten the curve.  When you have a bunch of yearlings the waiting process can become agonizing. After several attempts in the US to get a deal done, our partner with Blacktype Thoroughbreds, Jake Ballis, was able to bring Six Speed to us in early January of 2026.”

It was shrewd purchase, rewarded almost instantly when their colt blazed to victory in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan Racecourse, earning 20 Kentucky Derby qualifying points as beneficiary of the expanded New European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby.

“It was our first race as owners, in a Stakes race and to see him win by five lengths, the feeling can’t be described,” says Dugan. “It took us about an hour before we could even pick up the phone and start talking to all the incoming calls.  We will never forget that day and moment. We were all very happy and excited as we turned an eye towards the UAE Derby.”

Stretching to 1900metres and up at Group 2 level, the UAE Derby was always going to be tougher for Six Speed. The Not This Time colt raised his game accordingly, setting a strong pace and going down fighting, beaten two and a half lengths by the Japanese-trained Wonder Dean. The pair will meet again at Churchill Downs; the race earning Six Speed 60 more points and spot on the coveted starting line.

“We felt it answered a lot of questions – he showed that he belonged [at this level],” says Dugan. “The heart he demonstrated in the final 200metres was admirable. 

“The goal was to naturally win the race but most importantly to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, so it was a very good prep race and learning experience for Six Speed. I’m confident he’ll move forward from it.”

For any US-based owner, having a runner in the Kentucky Derby is as good as it gets, and Dugan, Brunetti and their partners are determined to make the most of the experience.

“For Brunetti-Dugan Stables, this is our first horse that is racing and we have a Kentucky Derby horse – it is certainly surreal,” he says. “We are in awe of the experience thus far but not so much so that we are just happy to be here. For this to happen so quickly for us… I’m just trying to take it all in.  There are no promises in this sport and we hope to be back some day, but you never know.  On 2 May it will really sink in and the emotions will be high.”

Dugan is also realistic as to the scale of the challenge facing Six Speed, who is well-named, having serious early pace.

“Coming out of [stall] 17 is good as all the speed is to the inside of us,” he says. “We hope to have a smooth, gradual transition over to save ground before turn one.  If he can settle in midrace and put himself clear on the turn for home, it will be a very exciting finish.”

Dugan and Brunetti are both from Cincinnati, which they describe as “really Northern Kentucky, horse country!” Their love of racing stems from when they were children and “would make a picnic basket and get buckets of fried chicken! All of us kids would hang out, watch all our uncles study the programs, and stand along the rail.”

That love of the sport has transcended into owning 15 horses, 14 of which are currently unraced two-year-olds. Whatever happens on Saturday, they are here for the long haul.

“I may have some butterflies on 2 May 2^nd,” concludes Dugan. “It truly will be a memorable week and day and something I am going to cherish every second of.”