Hunter’s Light shines at Meydan

Hunter’s Light, who became the ninth G1 winner for his sire Dubawi when landing the Premio Roma last November, threw himself into Dubai World Cup contention on 7 February when taking the second round of the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan.

Breaking smartly from the gate, the five-year-old entire was settled in a handy position under Silvestre de Sousa and once asked to quicken, demonstrated an impressive turn of foot to skip clear of his rivals and win by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

This was Hunter’s Light’s eighth career victory and his seventh at Black type level, having also won the aforementioned G1 Premio Roma and also the G3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes last year. He may now aim to become Dubawi’s second consecutive winner of the Dubai World Cup, following Monterosso’s victory in 2012. His victory also provided the Darley stallions with a clean sweep of the evening's Stakes contests, following Lovely Pass's win in the UAE 1,000 Guineas earlier on the card.

Bred by Darley, Hunter’s Light is out of the winning Barathea mare Portmanteau, whose own dam Dayanata is a full sister to Darshaan. Portmanteau has a two-year-old full sister to Hunter’s Light and is due to return to Dubawi this year.

Dubawi sired no fewer than ten G1 horses and 41 Stakes performers in 2012, reconfirming his position as one of Europe’s leading sires. He stands at Dalham Hall Stud at a fee of £75,000 October 1st SLF.