Underdog takes on the World
DUBAI The perfect underdog story will unfold on Dubai World Cup night on April 5 as Quinault goes in search of a first Group 1 success in the US$1.5 million (S$2 million) Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m).
The German-bred son of Oasis Dream is also coming full circle. He left the Dubai-based Godolphin in 2022 after running last at his only start for Charlie Appleby.
The sprinter was purchased for just 25,000 guineas (S$45,331) by TJE Racing at the Tattersalls Autumn Sale in October 2022 and was sent to the yard of Stuart Williams.
He embarked on an unprecedented winning spree as a three-year-old, winning off a mark of 59 and £4,004 (S$6,900) at Chelmsford in April 2023 and adding six more successes to reach a rating of 102.
While he defeated the subsequent July Cup winner Mill Stream in July of that year, he proved last season that effort was no fluke with a hat-trick of Listed wins at Chester, Newmarket and York.
Overseas, Quinault put in two third places in two Group 3 1,200m races, the Prix de Seine-et-Oise on heavy ground at Chantilly on Oct 26 and in the Dukhan Sprint in Qatar on good ground on Feb 15.
His most recent performance, a closing third to Rogue Lightning at Al Uqda, caught the attention of Dubai officials and led to Williams accepting a last-minute invitation for one of the most prestigious cards on the racing calendar.
"It'll be exciting to be part of the big night. He'll be my first runner in Dubai," he said. "I think he can be competitive on his best form.
"We haven't been involved in anything this big abroad before, so it'll be new to us. We're looking forward to the experience.
"Quinault is an absolute dude, he's the sweetest horse and very much a yard favourite."
Despite having contested 22 races, Quinault is still only a five-year-old and Williams is hoping there is more improvement to come. He also has an eye on a new Group 1 contest later in the year.
"He might have a break when he gets back, so that might rule Ascot out, but I'd still like to try him over seven furlongs at some stage," he said. "The new Group 1 at York (City of York Stakes over 1,400m) in August would be exciting."
While mindful of the Japanese challenge, Williams believes Quinault has what it takes to compete with his fellow British runners.
"We've run against Regional a couple of times. Audience is trying a different trip, which didn't work for him on Champions Day, and Believing ran in all the top sprints last year," he said. "I don't think we're that far behind them."
Quinault will be ridden by Marco Ghiani, who boasts a record of four wins and three thirds on the gelding. DUBAI RACING CLUB
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