Championship (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) continued a productive early start to his season when wiring Thursday's G2 Al Fahidi Fort at Meydan. The 6-year-old gelding, who recorded his first stakes win two back in Abu Dhabi's Listed National Day Cup over a mile Dec. 4, was fastest out from the inside gate and took up the running from Graystorm (Tur) (Luxor {Tur}) with Anaerobio (Arg) (Catcher in the Rye {Ire}) sitting on his heels. Godolphin's fancied Flash Fire (Ire) (Shamardal) traveled off the fence and about three lengths off the speed as the field swung into the bend. Championship had stolen away by a couple of lengths as he straightened for home and proved not for catching, drawing away by 3 1/2 lengths under a Colm O'Donoghue drive as Flash Fire and South African Group 1 winner Noah From Goa (SAf) (Tiger Ridge), making his local debut, overtook a tiring Anaerobio in the dying strides.
Thursday, Meydan, Dubai
AL FAHIDI FORT SPONSORED BY MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM – DISTRICT ONE-G2, $250,000, MEY, 1-19, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 7fT, 1:22.82, gd.
1–@CHAMPIONSHIP (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Exceed and Excel (Aus)
1st Dam: Aljafliyah (GB), by Halling
2nd Dam: Arruhan (Ire), by Mujtahid
3rd Dam: Wakayi (GB), by Persian Bold (Ire)
(€90,000 wnl '11 GONNOV; 180,000gns HRA '14 TAAOCT)
O-Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed al Maktoum; B-Ms Natalie
Cleary (IRE); T-Ahmad bin Harmash; J-Colm O'Donoghue.
$150,000. Lifetime Record: 16-5-3-3, $343,591. Werk Nick
Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Flash Fire (Ire), 126, g, 5, Shamardal–Flamelet, by Theatrical
(Ire). O-Godolphin; B-Darley (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. $50,000.
3–Noah From Goa (SAf), 126, g, 4, Tiger Ridge–Limerick (Saf),
by Fort Wood. (R325,000 yrl '14 BSAAUG) O-Sheikh
Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, McVeigh Et Al; B-
Wilgerbosdrift Stud (SAF); T-Mike de Kock. $25,000.
Margins: 3HF, 3/4, 2HF.4
Also Ran: Anaerobio (Arg), Dark Emerald (Ire), Dragon Mall, Graystorm (Tur), Nabbaash (GB).
Click for the Racing Post result. VIDEO.
Championship began his career with trainer Richard Hannon Sr. in the UK and was considered precocious enough to contest Royal Ascot's G2 Coventry S. at two, but ultimately beat just one home in that race in 2013. He recorded just one win in six outings the following season and was gelded at the end of that year. Championship was not seen for 16 months thereafter, and resurfaced last January under the care of trainer Ahmad bin Harmash at Meydan. That comeback was a winning effort in a handicap over this track and trip, but he was beaten next out by over 30 lengths when last of 10 in the G2 Zabeel Mile. Dropped back in class and trip for another handicap last March, he wrapped up the season with a second-place effort.
Championship resumed with a third in an Abu Dhabi conditions race Nov. 13, and took that track's Listed National Day Cup over a mile Dec. 4. He was second, beaten a neck, on the Dubai World Cup Carnival's opening card in the Listed Singspiel S. going 1800 metres Jan. 5, and proved up to the grade dropped back to seven furlongs here.
“Ahmad and his team deserve all the credit,” said jockey Colm O'Donoghue after the race. “Championship had a tough race two weeks ago but they have freshened him up and he was in great form tonight. I was always happy out in front and he was striding along nicely so I asked him to quicken just after halfway and he found plenty. He just kept responding throughout the straight and that was a good performance in a quality race.”
The rider added, “I'm not sure where he will go next; that is up to Ahmad, he is the boss, but it is a great result for a brilliant team to work for.”
Pedigree Notes…
Championship is out of Aljafliyah, a half-sister to Hermosa Beach S. winner and G3 Wilshire H. second Sohgol (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}). Appearing under the fourth dam are a number of talented sprinters, including triple Group 3 winner Reesh (GB) (Lochnager {GB}); G3 Flying Five S. winner Tadwin (GB) (Never So Bold {Ire}); G3 Queen Mary S. winner Nadwah (Shadeed); and G3 King George S. winner and multiple Group 1-placed Averti (Ire) (Warning {GB}). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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