African Story is top of the World

Saeed bin Suroor's magic in the Dubai World Cup came to the fore once again as the world's richest race remained in the possession of Sheikh Mohammed thanks to African Story.

It was the sixth time the Godolphin trainer has saddled the winner, and while the 12-1 chance had not looked an obvious contender, he was ridden with perfection by Silvestre de Sousa to wear down the front-running Mukhadram halfway down the straight.

African Story had stretched two and a half lengths clear by the line, while the Investec Derby winner Ruler Of The World, uneasy in the betting and with a poor draw, was struggling from some way out under Joseph O'Brien and trailed home 13th.

Godolphin also provided the third home in the shape of the Charlie Appleby-trained Cat O'Mountain, while Side Glance was a creditable fourth for Andrew Balding.

It was a landmark moment for De Sousa, who said: "It was great. He was very unlucky here last time when he banged his head in the stalls, but he has proved he's the boy. It's an amazing feeling, one of absolute delight.

"Godolphin called me to ask me to join their team and I was privileged to accept. Saeed thought African Story was a great horse. He had a couple of issues, especially on his second start this year, but tonight he was at his absolute best. In fact, I had to pinch myself because of how well he was travelling.

"I got to track the leader on his outside and then in the straight - all I had to do was take aim. It really was the perfect race for me.

"In my first season I managed 25 winners and then I missed out on the championship by just four. Obviously this is a big move in my career, riding for Godolphin. There is pressure, but at the same time I think I have shown that I have given my best and that there may still be more to come."

Suroor said of the winner: "He'll go back to Europe now, where he'll probably run in the second half of the season."

William Haggas said of runner-up Mukhadram: "We've had a goodish result. I'd love to say to Sheikh Hamdan I'd love to have another go next year, but there's a lot of water to come under the bridge before then."