Mubtaahij has arrived in Dubai and will spend a few days in quarantine before his return to his stable at his official “home”, Mike de Kock’s Blue Stables at Meydan.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s colt enjoyed a refreshing spell of rest at Newmarket, UK, after his exploits in the US and was shipped back to the UAE last Sunday.

De Kock commented about the yard’s Dubai World Cup prospect: “Mubtaahij is very well off for his break and after he’s settled in at Blue Stables we’ll start his preparation for the 2016 Dubai Carnival.”

Meanwhile Mubtaahij’s US form to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah continues to hold up. It was well franked again in the recent Travers Stakes (G1, 2000m at Saratoga), when Keen Ice (3/4-lengths ahead of Mubtaahij in the Kentucky Derby over 2000m and only a neck ahead of him in the Belmont Stakes over 2400m), lowered superstar American Pharoah’s colours – three-quarters in it.

American Pharoah will continue his racing career, with the Breeders’Cup Classic (G1) as his ultimate target. After his defeat to Keen Ice on 29 August, owner Ahmed Zayat talked about retiring the colt, but he tweeted a few days later, “I have decided to continue to race American Pharoah! The champ deserves another chance!”

In a subsequent statement, Zayat explained, “I have discussed all aspects of American Pharoah’s race last race and his condition since the race with our whole team, and have decide he deserves another chance, so we are pointing to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”

          – Mikedekockracing.com – extracts from TDN

  Picture: Mubtaahij (Liesl King)