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Danon Decile’s wins the Dubai Sheema Classic.

Having claimed the 2024 Tokyo Yushan (Japan Derby) in June, Danon Decile stepped onto the international stage with a success in the Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.

In a race of tactical changes, it was jockey Keita Tosaki who always had the winner perfectly positioned as the pace up front changed frequently. The early stages of the contest saw another Japanese horse Shin Emperor, the Japanese Derby third who has already established himself on the global arena having scored in Saudi Arabia last month, go to the lead before Godolphin's defending race champion Rebel's Romance took over seven furlongs from the judge.

Turning into the home straight, William Buick and Rebel's Romance appeared to be travelling strongly but by the two-furlong pole the race was beginning to change. Tosaki and Danon Decile began gathering momentum and inside the final furlong, the duo had raced clear with an unassailable lead to hold off the late charge from French runner Calandagan to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Durezza finished third just ahead of Rebel's Romance.

In reviewing the race Tosaki said:

"He was excited before the race, but he settled when he got into the stall. He ran a great race, travelled really well on the bridle. I expected him to run a similar race to the Tokyo Yushun [Japanese Derby] and he did it.

"I knew the field was very strong, but I thought Danon Decile was competitive. I am delighted we proved his ability here in Dubai."

On what turned out to be a frustrating night, Calandagan was the third French horse on the card to finish runner-up.

Calandagan's trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said:

"He was slow out of the stalls, and he takes so much time to get into his rhythm. Mickael said during the race he was happy they weren't going faster because he needed to get going. I don't have any excuses. In the straight we were following the winner, and he had the first kick. He came really fast at the end. It was a very good start of the season for him. The plan is to go to Epsom for the Coronation Cup with him, but we'll see how he comes back from Dubai. It's a very good run and Mickael will know him more for the future, too."

French superstar jockey, Christophe Soumillon rode the third home, Durezza:

"I had a great trip and with the good draw I was able to sit in the ideal position. Turning in I was able to accelerate past Rebel's Romance but the first and second swept past me quite easily 300m from home. He was brave and ran all the way to the line and he's done himself proud."

Godolphin's globetrotting superstar Rebel's Romance was attempting his sixth win in the past twelve months, including in this race, and William Buick said:

"He ran well, he ran a super race. We were happy to take the lead down the back and the pace slackened but he was running against fresher legs. Naturally it's impossible for horses to retain all of their abilities as they get older and he's not getting any younger."