Amr Zedan. Vogue Man Arabia, Spring/Summer 2020. Photo: Rayan Nawawi
At the 26th edition of the Dubai World Cup—the world’s richest horse race—Country Grammer took center stage with a victory at the Meydan Racecourse on March 26. The five-year-old steed, co-owned by Saudi Arabian businessman Amr Zedan, was ridden by Frankie Dettori who celebrated his fourth win in the race event.
Photo: Instagram.com/racingdubai
Racing ahead of the favorite Life Is Good, Dettori mentioned, “It was a surreal moment when I passed the furlong pole and I thought, ‘I’ve won this.'” The horse racing jockey won the Dubai World Cup three times prior to riding Dubai Millennium, Moon Ballad, and Electrocutionist, making this his fourth victory—and for the first time, in colors separate from the royal blue of Dubai-based racing stables, Godolphin.
Photo: Instagram.com/racingdubai
Dettori revealed how he got to ride the legendary Country Grammer for the race, stating, “Once I got a smell of Country Grammer being free, I disturbed Mr Zedan in his polo game. He told me to ring Bob, who made me swear I was free to ride.” Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and Zedan were to make sure of Country Grammer being a success after their last experience with Medina Spirit in the Kentucky Derby, through which the horse was disqualified due to a positive drug test.
Zedan has mentioned that Medina Spirit was wronged and continued to support Baffert against all odds for another try at victory with Country Grammer. “It takes the best trainer in the world. That horse was off the bench and Baffert got him back,” Zedan said, adding, “Medina Spirit is a champion and the grit that Country Grammer demonstrated is pretty much parallel, and reminds me of Medina Spirit. These horses have nothing but heart.” American racehorse Hot Rod Charlie came in as runner-up, while Japanese-trained racehorse Chuwa Wizard resulted in third place, both against Country Grammer taking the cup home.
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