Mahmood Al Zarooni has overseen the careers of some top-class horses. We look at his top five.
In just three years as a trainer, Mahmood Al Zarooni has overseen the careers of some top-class horses
Here, we look at five of the best...
1) MONTEROSSO
Provided Al Zarooni with the zenith of his short career by winning the richest race in the world, the Dubai World Cup, springing a 20-1 shock in the process.
He began his racing life with Mark Johnston and only ran once at two, before a busy three-year-old season which saw him win at Royal Ascot and finish fourth in the Irish Derby. He only ran twice more for Johnston before joining Al Zarooni, for whom he was campaigned almost exclusively in Dubai, apart from a lacklustre run in the Eclipse last summer.
2) BLUE BUNTING
A real success story for Al Zarooni as she won five of her eight starts with two Classics on her CV.
Her victory in the 1000 Guineas was something of a surprise as at two the highest level at which she had competed was in a Listed race, which she won.
Although a beaten favourite in the Oaks at Epsom, the Dynaformer filly finished with a late flourish to win the Irish Oaks, a race sponsored by Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation.
A win in the Yorkshire Oaks against her elders followed, with her final appearance coming when finishing sixth of nine in the St Leger at Doncaster.
3) ENCKE
Having been placed in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and the Great Voltigeur at York, his St Leger success should not really have been viewed as that much of a turn-up, and that it was can be put down as entirely to do with the horse he beat.
For Camelot was on the verge of creating history having won the Guineas and the Derby and the racing world was holding its breath for another Triple Crown winner, the first since Nijinsky in 1970.
However, he could not reel in Encke, who held on for a three-quarters of a length victory at 25-1. He has not run since.
4) REWILDING
Trained by Andre Fabre as a youngster, he was another horse transferred to the care of Al Zarooni for his three-year-old career.
Well-fancied for the 2010 Derby, he ran with credit to be third to Workforce. After winning the Great Voltigeur he was sent off the even-money favourite for the St Leger, where he could only finish sixth.
Al Zarooni nursed him back to his best to win the Sheema Classic in Dubai and he then lowered the colours of the seemingly-invincible So You Think in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, under a fine Frankie Dettori ride.
But tragedy struck when he broke a leg on his next start in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
5) CERTIFY
Enjoyed a perfect record as a juvenile, winning all four of her starts in the manner of a top-class filly, and was crowned champion two-year-old for her sex.
Having won her maiden she progressed through the ranks, winning the Group Three Sweet Solera, the Group Two May Hill and the Group One Fillies' Mile, which was her most impressive display.
Winter favourite for this year's 1000 Guineas, she was denied her place in the Classic after being one of the 11 horses to test positive for a prohibited substance after samples were taken from 45 horses Al Zarooni's Newmarket yard on April 9. Now banned for six months, she cannot run until October.
