DUBAI, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Thoroughbred Vazirabad owned by spiritual Ismaili Muslim leader Aga Khan won the 3,200-meter-long turf track of the Dubai Gold Cup which is part of the nine races comprising Dubai World Cup 2016.
Four-year-old Vazirabad crossed the finishing line at 3 minutes 19.56 seconds, leaving behind rivals Big Orange and Haafaguinea (both United Kingdom).
Trainer Alain De Royer-Dupre from France said, "Of course when this long race came to the end tensions in the team rose if we can Vazirabad can make it, but the track is very strong and he is specialized on it."
The total prize money was one million U.S. dollars and the Aga Khan-owned staples cashed in 600,000 dollars, sponsored by Dubai-based family conglomerate Al Tayer Motors.
The Dubai World Cup consisting of 9 races is the culmination and final race day of a series of horse races organized by the Dubai Racing Club from January to March. The world cup of the Gulf Arabian Sheikhdom has a total prize money of 30 million dollars distributed on a single day.