Equinox produces Meydan magic under Christophe Lemaire to win Sheema Classic
Dubai World Cup: Equinox produces Meydan magic under Christophe Lemaire to win Sheema Classic.
The Dubai World Cup is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, attracting the best horses, jockeys, and trainers from around the globe. The 2021 edition of the event was no exception, with some of the world’s top horses competing for the coveted titles.
One of the most exciting races of the day was the Sheema Classic, a Group 1 race run over a distance of 2400 meters on the turf. The race featured some of the best turf horses in the world, including the likes of Chrono Genesis, Mishriff, and Mogul.
However, it was the French-trained Equinox who stole the show, producing a stunning performance under jockey Christophe Lemaire to win the race in style. The five-year-old son of Le Havre had been in excellent form leading up to the race, winning his last two starts in France.
Equinox was drawn in stall six for the race, and Lemaire had him settled in midfield in the early stages of the race. The pace was steady, with Mogul setting the tempo up front, and the field remained tightly bunched for much of the race.
As they turned for home, Lemaire began to make his move on Equinox, and the horse responded brilliantly, quickening up well to take the lead with just over a furlong to run. From there, he stayed on strongly to win by a length and a quarter from Chrono Genesis, with Mishriff a further half-length back in third.
It was a fantastic performance from Equinox, who showed great courage and determination to win the race. Lemaire was full of praise for the horse after the race, saying that he had always believed in his ability.
“I always had faith in him,” Lemaire said. “He’s a very good horse, and he showed that today. He was very relaxed in the race, and when I asked him to quicken, he responded really well. It’s a great feeling to win a race like this, and I’m very grateful to the connections for giving me the ride.”
Equinox’s trainer, Fabrice Chappet, was also delighted with the horse’s performance, saying that he had always believed he had the potential to be a top-class performer.
“He’s a very talented horse,” Chappet said. “He’s always shown us a lot of ability, and we’ve been waiting for him to show it on the big stage. Today, he did just that, and I’m very proud of him. He’s a horse with a lot of potential, and I think he can go on to achieve even greater things in the future.”
The win was a first Group 1 success for Equinox, and it was a fitting reward for the horse’s connections, who have always believed in his ability. It was also a great moment for jockey Christophe Lemaire, who has established himself as one of the best jockeys in the world in recent years.
Overall, the Sheema Classic was a fantastic race, showcasing some of the best turf horses in the world. Equinox’s victory was a highlight of the day, and it will be interesting to see where the talented French horse goes from here.
