At eight he was the eldest member of the seven-horse field, but the son of Deep Impact staved off the persistent challenge of 2024 King George hero Goliath by a neck, with Marco Botti’s Giavellotto staying on from off the pace into third a further length back.
It was a race the first and second dominated throughout, with Goliath and Christophe Soumillon leading until Deep Monster took his measure a furlong out. Race favourite Byzantine Dream was held up by Cristian Demuro but failed to menace.
El Cordobes, who attempted to give Godolphin a third success in the Group Two race in as many years, was also settled off the early pace but could not pick up for William Buick in the straight.
Strauss gave Japan its first winner in Abu Dhabi when claiming the inaugural Abu Dhabi Gold Cup the previous Saturday, and this triumph proved once again what a threat Japan is on the global scene
Winning trainer Yasutoshi Ikee said: “His condition was perfect and Tom rode the perfect race. I’m so proud because my father trained Deep Impact and it was always my dream to win a big race overseas with a son of that great horse. Today that dream has come true.”
Marquand said: “It’s a big win for Mr Ikee and all credit to him, because although this horse didn’t win a Group race until recently he was absolutely on it today.
“I decided to follow Goliath and when we sprinted off the turn my horse just kept finding, he was so game all the way to the line.”
Francis-Henri Graffard said of Goliath: “The Japanese horse was inside us and it didn’t help my horse to relax. We were being pressured around the last bend, but I was proud of his performance. The heat has been on the horses through the week and he will now be given a well-earned break.”
Thady Gosden has Lion’s Pride, who weakened into sixth, carded for another important Middle Eastern race and said: “He ran a nice race in a strong field and will head for the King’s Cup in Bahrain on March 6.”
The many who expected Al Ghadeer to end his career in glory with another success in the $2.5million Amir Sword did not take account Lippo De Carrere, who under Maxime Guyon swooped on the Arabian superstar a furlong out and readily held him at bay to the line.
It was the concluding leg of a double for the French jockey who said: “That was amazing, the horse was in tremendous shape. When we reached the last 200 metres he was very strong.”
AloJapan.com