Dubai: Cape Blanco, an exciting fourth in the $10 million (Dh36.75 million) Dubai World Cup Group One at Meydan in March, landed the $600,000 Man O' War Stakes (Grade One) at Belmont Park on Saturday.

The winner is owned by Dubai-based Mrs Fitriani Hay, together with Ireland's leading thoroughbred syndicate owners Derrick Smith, Mrs John Maginer and Michael Tabor.

Cape Blanco was ridden by Jamie Spencer and is trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien.

The four-year-old son of Galileo was making his United States debut where he denied two-time champion Gio Ponti a third straight victory in the mile and three furlong contest on turf to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

Gio Ponti has contested two Dubai World Cups. He was fifth in this year's race after running fourth to Gloria de Campeao in 2010.

Cape Blanco was capturing his third victory in the premier division, having previously won last year's Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1).

Saturday's win saw him end a four-race losing streak, which included a sixth-place finish in the Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) last month at Royal Ascot.

"We always like to support American racing," said Ashford Stud's Charlie O'Connor, who represented the owners. "We like to race over here and we thought this horse would suit the race. He proved we were right."

Shortly after the race, O'Brien's wife, Annemarie, tweeted that Cape Blanco would possibly run in the Arlington Million Stakes (Group 1) in August. "I'm very happy with the way the race panned out," winning jockey Spencer said.

"I wanted to get a lead, but I wanted a good even pace. I joined the leader four furlongs out [on the backstretch] and my horse was really ready for it, but as I joined him [my horse] changed leads and lost a front shoe, so that was the only worry I had throughout the whole race. He's high-class horse and I'm glad he's come back to form."

Well and truly beaten

Ramon Dominguez, who rode Gio Ponti for trainer Christophe Clement, acknowledged that his horse was well and truly beaten on the day.

"He was getting over the ground great," Dominguez said. "I had a great trip, saving as much ground as possible, and my horse gave me a good turn of foot, but it was not enough."

Cape Blanco was purchased at the Goff's Orby Million and Sportsman's yearling sale 2008 for $482,229. He was consigned by Garraun Stud.

Other horses with Dubai connections to win the Man O' War are Godolphin's Fantastic Light, who triumphed in 2000 and Daylami in 1998. Godolphin did not have a runner in the race on Saturday.