Dubai World Cup 2011: Success for Victoire Pisa

Image copyright of Andrew Watkins- Dubai Racing Club

Victoria Pisa led home a Japan one-two finish in the US $10 million (DH36.7) Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline this past week at the Meydan Racecourse. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE threw his hand in the air in delight when Japan’s Camp won, a rare gesture for the Ruler of Dubai even when his own team wins.

Image copyright of Andrew Watkins- Dubai Racing Club

Trained by Katsuhiko Sumii and ridden by Italian jockey Mirco Dimuro, Vitorie Pisa finished ahead of Transcend and Shinji Fujita who had set the pace for much of the race and ended up wining second place. “My horse usually has a good start, but this time he hit his head in the stall and we had a bad start. But maybe it was lucky because there was a slow pace on the backstretch, so I could find a good position close to the leader. It was a really tight finish. We always believe in him. He’s won his last race very easy giving two kilos away. He’s a very nice horse. We were hoping to do well, but to win is amazing,” said Mirco Dimuro, first place winner.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoums gives the trophy to trainer Katsuhiko Sumii after winning the Dubai World Cup. Image copyright of Andrew Watkins

Victory for the Japanese Camp took place during a moment of turmoil for the nation as a Tsunami and an Earthquake had ravaged the country earlier this month.