Dubai: Winning machine Postponed has the credentials to become only the fifth horse with a Dubai connection to win the Prix de l’Arc de Trimophe (Group 1), the world’s richest turf race, which takes place at the 18th century Chantilly Racecourse in France on Sunday.
The five-year-old son of Dubawi, who has strung together six successive victories stretching from the King George (Group 1) at Ascot last July, can also gift his owner, Shaikh Mohammad Obaid Al Maktoum, with his most prestigious triumph ever since High Rise won the Epsom Derby in 1998.
With a purse of €5million (Dh 20.4m), the Arc, which is contested by horses aged three-years-old and over, is also the planet’s second-richest horse race after the $10m (Dh 36.7m) World Cup (Group 1).
It’s roll of honour features many iconic winners including Carnegie, who win the 2,400m contest back in 1994 for His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The other Arc winners with a Dubai link are 1995 victor Lammtarra (Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum) and the Godolphin-owned Sakhee (2001) and Marienbard (2002).
Unbeaten in four starts since joining Newmarket hander Roger Varian’s stables, Postponed will break from the spot on seventh stall when he faces 15 rivals headed by the Japanese Derby (Group 1) sensation Makahiki, Irish hope Found, who has been runner-up on five occasions in major Group 1 contests this year and Harzand, winner of the Epsom and Irish Derby’s in summer.
There is a lot riding in Postponed’s favour. He is the only runner in the field with a rating of over 130 and is by far the most consistent. He handles any ground and the 12 furlong trip is well within his compass.
In addition, his regular rider Andrea Atzeni, who has enjoyed major success in Britain, Germany, Ireland, his native Italy and UAE, describes him as one of the most uncomplicated horses he has ever ridden.
“It is the biggest ride I’ve had,” the 25-year-old Italian, who is riding in his third Arc, told BBC Sport. “It is a dream really, unbelievable when you think three or four years ago I was trying to get a living out of the game, and now I’m on the favourite for the Arc.
“It’s what every jockey wants and dreams about and I’m very lucky to be in that position now.”
Atzeni was also generous in his praise for Postponed, who has ridden on 13 occasions.
“He’s a complete athlete. He’s got a physique, he’s a very good-looking horse, very strong,” he said, “And fast ground or soft ground, flat track or [up and down] Epsom, left-handed or right-handed, mile and a quarter or mile and a half, he’s very straightforward.
“He’s got a very good mind, and when I get on him I think he knows and he grows about three inches as he gets into race mode and knows he’s got to get the job done.
“If he could speak, he’d be probably one of the nicest people you’d ever meet in your life. When you meet a nice man, that’s Postponed, I promise you.”
Country with most wins
France – 66 wins
Great Britain – 13
Ireland – 7
Italy – 6
Germany 2
