Electrocutionist charges to World Cup victory

Godolphin's ELECTROCUTIONIST (Red Ransom) launched his rally entering the

long straightaway at Nad al Sheba and ran past Brass Hat (Prized) in deep

stretch to win Saturday's $6 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) by 1 1/2 lengths.

His triumphant performance capped a big evening under the lights that featured

seven stakes worth a combined $21.25 million, and he provided Godolphin and

trainer Saeed bin Suroor with their fifth Dubai World Cup victory. The

five-year-old bay horse finished 2,000 meters (1 1/4 miles) over the fast track

in 2:01 1/5, becoming the first horse to win the World Cup from post 1.

A world class performer on turf, Electrocutionist recorded an outstanding

seven-length score when making his first dirt start in the 10-furlong Maktoum

Challenge Round 3 S. (UAE-G2) earlier this month and captured the world's

richest race on Saturday. However, he drew a terrible rail post and predictably

broke slowly in the 11-horse field. Jockey Frankie Dettori, who recorded his

third Dubai World Cup win, eventually guided his mount to the outside and

stalked the pace in midpack. Electrocutionist closed ground to

reach contention early in the stretch drive and stayed on powerfully to overhaul a

game Brass Hat, who put away Wilko (Awesome Again) inside the final sixteenth of

a mile to gain the lead but could not withstand the late surge of the winner.

"It was a great performance and is great for Godolphin and the whole team,"

Dettori said. "I did not think I could win until I was 30 yards out as I could

not shake off Brass Hat."

Brass Hat finished three lengths clear of third placer Wilko.

"He ran a great race," said William "Buff" Bradley, trainer of the runner-up.

"Everybody knows that he's one of the best now."

Wilko wound up a clear third, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Magna Graduate (Honor

Grades), who battled for the early lead before weakening. Japanese raider Kane

Hekili (Fuji Kiseki) came next and was followed under the wire by Chiquitin (Fitzcarraldo),

Maraahel (Alzao), Star King Man (Kingmambo), Super Frolic (Pine Bluff), Choctaw

Nation (Louis Quatorze) and Shakis (Machiavellian).

Formerly based in Italy, Electrocutionist has now won eight of 10 career

starts, with both setbacks coming over soft or yielding turf, and earned more than $4.9

million. He finished second by a nose to eventual Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) winner Shirocco (Ger) (Monsun) in the 2004 running of the Gran Premio del Jockey Club

Italiano (Ity-G1) and captured the Gran Premio di Milano (Ity-G1) and Premio Carlo

d'Alessio (Ity-G2) in his first two starts last year. Electrocutionist traveled

to England to record a superb victory in the Juddmonte International S. (Eng-G1)

at York. Godolphin purchased him following a troubled fourth in the Canadian

International (Can-G1) last October.

He is out of the winning Elbaaha (GB) (Arazi), who is a daughter of French Group 3

heroine Gesedeh (Ire) (Ela-Mana-Mou). She's a half-sister to Dance on the Stage

(Dancing Brave), dam of German Derby (Ger-G1) winner Robertica (Robellino), and Reem

Dubai (Nashwan), dam of German co-champion Royal Dubai (Dashing Blade) and

French Group 2 winner Royal Highness (Monsun). This is the same female family as

English, Irish and French champion older horse Ardross (Run the Gantlet) and

multiple Group 1 winner Scorpion (Montjeu [Ire]).

According to Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford, Electrocutionist will

contest several prestigious Group 1 races in Europe over the summer before a

possible bid in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on November 4 at Churchill Downs.