Ombudsman, or extreme logic for an easy victory in the Dubai Turf
- Turf Diario
- Mar 28
- 2 min read
Even without being at 100 percent, the Godolphin superstar made it all look easy and opened his season with a notable conquest at Meydan
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— When Godolphin presents one of its top exponents, it rarely misses. And on the great night at Meydan, Ombudsman followed that logic by claiming the Dubai Turf (G1-1,800m, turf), reaffirming the supremacy of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s operation in one of the program’s centerpiece events.
For the team of John Gosden and Thady Gosden, the victory had a special flavor. After the historic streak of three consecutive wins with Lord North (Dubawi) between 2021 and 2023, the duo returned to the stage with a horse that had already proven his class in Europe.
And Ombudsman did not disappoint. With William Buick in the irons, the trip was engineered with intelligence. While the Japanese runner Gaia Force (Kitasan Black) set the pace, the Godolphin representative positioned himself on the outside, unhurried, prioritizing a clean run over saving ground.
That decision was key. Upon entering the home straight, Buick launched him resolutely with 300 meters to go, and the response was immediate. In just a few strides, Ombudsman struck the front and took charge of the race, crossing the wire nearly two lengths clear of Quddwah (Kingman), while Andreas Vesalius (Caravaggio) completed the podium.
It was a commanding performance, especially considering it marked his season debut. “It was exactly what we expected,” Buick noted. “It was very smooth. He has a very exciting year ahead of him. It’s an honor to represent Godolphin on a night like this.”
From the training side, John Gosden also highlighted the horse's merit: “He came in at about 90 percent fitness. It’s not easy bringing them out of the European winter and having them ready. But he responded very well, and I believe he can even improve.”
The immediate future is already defined: Royal Ascot appears on the horizon, with the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) as the next objective. Behind him, Quddwah left a great impression, confirming he is close to making the leap to the highest level. But this time, he ran into a superior rival. Because Ombudsman, a son of the phenomenal Night of Thunder, didn't just win. He dominated. And in a race where Godolphin has history, he once again left his mark with the authority of the great horses.
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