Dubawi’s multiple G1 winner Benbatl threw himself well and truly into contention for the inaugural Saudi Cup, and possibly the Dubai World Cup, on Thursday, 6 February with an impressive win in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 at Meydan.
Making his first start on dirt, Benbatl raced just off the pace under Christophe Soumlllon during the early stages of the nine-and-a-half-furlong contest before looming up approaching the final turn, still looking like he had plenty in the tank. Taking the lead at the top of the home straight, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained entire soon put the result beyond doubt, easing clear to eventually win by two lengths from fellow son of Dubawi, Military Law.
Benbatl now has two G2 wins from two starts in 2020, having won the Singspiel Stakes for the second time in three years on Thursday, 9 January. A true globetrotter, he is also the winner of three G1 contests in the Dubai Turf, the Grosser Dallymar Preis and the Caulfield Cup.
Benbatl is out of the multiple G1 winner Nahrain (Selkirk), herself a daughter of Oaks runner up Bahr.
Benbatl is one of 41 top-flight winners for Dubawi, who stands at Dalham Hall Stud at a fee of £250,000, Oct 1 SLF.
Dubawi stands alongside two of his G1-winning sons at Dalham Hall Stud: Too Darn Hot (£50,000, Oct 1, SLF), and Postponed (£10,000, Oct 1, SLF).
