Devil Regains His Honour in U.A.E. Derby

In the first two Dubai classics this winter, the Mike de Kock-trained pair of HONOUR DEVIL (Honour and Glory) and Royal Vintage (Rich Man's Gold) have fought out the finish between them, so it was entirely appropriate that they should once again fill the top two positions in Saturday's $2 million U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2). Given the narrow victory of Honour Devil in the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3), and the even slimmer revenge gained by Royal Vintage in the Al Bastakiya, however, few could have predicted the utterly authoritative display turned in by Honour Devil in their rubber match at Nad al Sheba. The Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum colorbearer overwhelmed Royal Vintage by 4 1/4 lengths, crossing the wire in a final time of 1:48.60 for about 1 1/8 miles on the fast track.

"There's not much between them," de Kock said. "The winner is so tough and he's been given a terrific ride here tonight. The two horses have both run great races and in a year's time the result might even be different if they happened to meet again."

With regular rider John Murtagh aboard, Honour Devil settled off the early pace established by Iide Kenshin (Thunder Gulch), who was under strong encouragement to secure the lead. American shipper Massive Drama (Kafwain) was glued onto the inside flank of the leader, while Strike the Deal (Van Nistelrooy) and the filly Cocoa Beach (Doneraile Court) also attended the pace on the outside. Honour Devil watched these developments from the security of the next flight, with Royal Vintage not far astern of him.

As the field swung into the long stretch, Iide Kenshin and Massive Drama were retreating, Cocoa Beach was being ridden along, and Strike the Deal surged to take command. Unfortunately for his hopes, though, the de Kock duo were only just warming up. Royal Vintage ranged up along the inside, and Honour Devil came rolling on the outside. Strike the Deal had no answer for either of them. There was not to be another riveting duel between the stablemates, for it became rapidly clear that Royal Vintage could not match the startling acceleration of Honour Devil, who streaked home in a class of his own.

"He showed tonight what a real champion he is," Murtagh said. "I liked him from the first time I sat on him and have to say I probably didn't give him the best ride (in the Al Bastakiya)."

Royal Vintage finished a clear second by 3 3/4 lengths. Cocoa Beach kept on to grab third by roughly a neck from another filly, Light Green (Blush Rambler). Next came Strike the Deal, My Indy (Indygo Shiner), Ukrainian (Urban Habitat), Iide Kenshin, and the straggling pair of Massive Drama and Numaany (A.P. Indy), who were distanced. Zain Alma Aenee (K. J.'s Appeal) and Rock Ascot (Mantle Rock) were scratched.

With the $1.2 million windfall to the winner, Honour Devil boosted his bankroll to $1,405,752 from his 5-4-1-0 line. The bay raced only once in his native Argentina, breaking his maiden by five lengths, and was purchased by his current owner. In his Dubai debut, Honour Devil landed a conditions event by 5 1/4 lengths, a smashing prep that set him up for victory in the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas. By adding the U.A.E. Derby to his trophy case, Honour Devil garnered two-thirds of the U.A.E. Triple Crown.

De Kock added that Honour Devil's long term goal is the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita on October 25, while Royal Vintage could show up in next year's Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1).