Honour Devil beats Royal vintage for UAE Derby

Dubai: Honour Devil produced a dominating performance to win the UAE Derby (Gr 1) from stable companion Royal Vintage and supply top South African trainer Mike de Kock his fourth success in the colt's classic.

Godolphin's Cocoa Beach, winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas and Oaks, ran on to finish a game third while British raider Strike The Deal, who led briefly in the straight, stayed on for fourth.

Winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas at Nad Al Sheba in February, when beating Royal Vintage by half a length, Honour Devil came from 5th of 12 to lead in the final furlong and go on to his dominating victory.

"He's a very nice horse. I liked him from the first time I sat on him and have to say I probably didn't give him the best ride last start," Murtagh said in reference to when Royal Vintage lowered the colours of Honour Devil last time out.

"He showed tonight what a real champion he is. He's a very, very good horse, really tough and genuine," said the former Irish and UAE champion jockey.

De Kock, who was winning the colt's classic for the second successive year after Asiatic Boy romped to victory 12 months ago, had previously scored with Lundy's Liability in 2004 and Victory Moon the previous year.

Looking ahead

"It was a great result and put the cherry on the season for us," said the South African maestro.

"The Breeders' Cup Classic is the long-term plan for Honour Devil, while we'll look at next year's Dubai World Cup for Royal Vintage."

Jeremy Noseda's Strike The Deal took the lead three furlongs out, under British champion jockey Ryan Moore, but was immediately threatened by two De Kock runners who flanked him on either side.

Murtagh shook his reins at Honour Devil and the colt responded in majestic fashion to sprint clear of his rivals and win in similar fashion to another De Kock star, Asiatic Boy.

Commenting on the race, Murtagh said: "It was a good trip, he travelled all the way to the line. They quickened up about half a mile out and I got between a few of them.

"But once I got them on the straight, he straightened up very well and he stayed the trip very well. He ran to the line very strong. If it came to a battle, he would never let you down."

Kevin Shea, rider of runner-up Royal Vintage, said: "Honour in defeat. That horse [Honour Devil] is just too tough for me this time. I had him [Royal Vintage] coming for home - he was struggling and I was going well. I thought I would be able to turn the tables, but I couldn't."

Big race

Moore felt Strike The Deal ran a big race and said: "He ran a great race and was right there to a mile, but didn't quite stay the trip."

Ted Durcan acknowledged that Cocoa Beach was found out by two better horses on the day and said: "She ran extremely well, but she lacked that bit of early pace to hold her position and on hindsight, the No 1 draw was more of a hindrance than a help, but once she got clear, she ran on well."