Dubawi sired the first two home, and his 60th individual top-flight winner, in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan on Friday, 24 January when Walk Of Stars led home Imperial Emperor.
Always prominent under Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar’s charge travelled smoothy throughout the nine-and-a-half-furlong contest and once asked to quicken, soon put the race to bed to cross the line almost three lengths ahead of his paternal half-brother, who was over seven lengths clear of Facteur Cheval in third.
Walk Of Stars opened his Black Type account over the same course and distance in the Listed The Entisar last month and could now be aimed at the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup.
Bred by Godolphin, Walk Of Stars is out of the Listed-placed Street Cry mare Sound Reflection, making him a close relative to Nathaniel and G1 Irish Oaks winner Great Heavens. The mare has a yearling by Palace Pier and is currently in foal to Dubawi’s five-time G1 winner Modern Games.
Dubawi, who now has 15 stallion sons at stud in Europe, continues to exceed himself at the highest level. Notable Speech was his fourth 2,000 Guineas winner last year, making him the Classic’s most successful sire since the start of the Pattern. He was also sire in 2024 of the globetrotting superstar Rebel’s Romance, who was named Champion Male Turf Horse at last night’s Eclipse Awards, plus Oaks heroine Ezeylia and fellow G1 winner Master of the Seas.
