Kentucky-bred Kabirkhan, a Kazakhstan-owned 4-year-old son of California Chrome, powered home to win the $1 million Al Maktoum Challenge (G1) over an international field at Meydan on Friday, Jan. 26. The $12,000 Keeneland September Sale graduate could make his next start in the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan in March.
Owned by Tlek Mukanbetkaliyev and the first Grade 1 winner trained by Doug Watson, Kabirkhan was bred in Kentucky by Kehner Thoroughbreds LLC. Racing just off the pace down the backstretch, Kabirkhan moved three-wide for the lead around the far turn and opened up on his rivals through the stretch to win convincingly by 4 ¾ lengths under jockey Pat Dobbs.
“He might be the best mile and a quarter horse I’ve ever trained,” said Watson. “We’ll see what the owners want to do next but I’m glad he’s in our yard. I’m delighted for our team, Pat, and of course, everybody in Kazakhstan.”
Kabirkhan is produced from the Castledale (IRE) mare Little Emily, a stakes winner of $132,572 during her racing career.