Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum's Mubtaahij (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is headed back to England after his U.S. Triple Crown exploits and will get a rest at trainer Mike de Kock's Newmarket yard.
“Mubtaahij is somewhere between Amsterdam and our stables [in] Newmarket, UK, now,” Mike de Kock said Wednesday morning. “We'll give him a break now, six weeks or so. He's had a tough campaign and thoroughly deserves a period of rest.”
An eye-catching eight-length winner of the G2 UAE Derby Mar. 28, Mubtaahij finished eighth in the GI Kentucky Derby May 2 under regular rider Christophe Soumillon and checked in fourth in the GI Belmont S. Saturday under Irad Ortiz Jr. De Kock was complimentary of Ortiz's handling of the colt.
“This is a top-class youngster,” the trainer said of Ortiz. “He will go places.”
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