2018 has been a truly outstanding year for Dubawi and his run of success is showing no signs of abating, as on Sunday, 16 September he added a 36th G1 winner to his tally in sensational fashion as Godolphin filly Kitesurf flew home to win the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp.
The Andre Fabre-trained four-year-old raced in dead last for much of the 12-furlong contest under Mickael Barzalona but once entering the home straight, she began to make headway and scorched down the final furlong to get up close to the line and win by a head.
Kitesurf won the G3 Prix du Royaumont at three and kicked off her four-year-old campaign with another Group win, this time in the G3 Prix Allez France. Last month she ran out the three-and-a-half-length winner of the G2 Darley Prix de Pomone.
Bred by Peter Winkworth, Kitesurf is the first foal to race out of the Group-winning Danehill Dancer mare Shimmering Surf, who has a yearling filly by Golden Horn, whose first crop are currently going through the sales ring.
Kitestuf becomes the third winner of the Prix Vermeille for Dubawi, following Left Hand in 2016 and Bateel 12 months ago.
Also at Longchamp, three-year-old colt Brundtland made it three wins in as many starts and staked his Arc claim when leading practically all the way to win the G2 Prix Niel.
Brundtland was bred by James Hanly and is out of the Group-winning Hurricane Run mare Future Generation. He is from the same family as Teofilo’s Melbourne Cup contender Cross Counter.
Just moments later, two-year-old colt Quorto (pictured) retained his unbeaten record and emulated his sire in outstanding style, when running out the gutsy winner of the G1 National Stakes at the Curragh.
Settled in third under William Buick, Charlie Appleby’s charge moved up to second two furlongs out and outbattled Anthony Van Dyck impressively to win by a length and a quarter.
Quorto is out of the Stakes winner and G1 English Oaks third Volume, herself a granddaughter of G1 winner Victoire Bleue.
Dubawi became the most successful sire ever to stand in the UK in July, when Crown Walk became his 100th Group winner. He has now sired five G1 winners this year, with Kitesurf joining Benbatl, Wild Illusion and North America.
