When Elwick Stud’s Lord Glitters came roaring back to form winning the G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday at Meydan, it embodied why trainer David O’Meara has called the ghostly son of Whipper ‘the horse of a lifetime’ in interviews. Indeed, it seems the globetrotting fan favourite has been around for a lifetime–or at least two or three standard Thoroughbred careers–while competing at the top level and holding his own impressively.
A nine-time winner from 35 starts, the earner of $2,220,544 is in his sixth season of racing and has competed in 13 Group or Grade 1 affairs, winning twice and placing four times. Saturday’s triumph added to an eye-catching victory in the 2019 Queen Anne Stakes (G1) and was his second win from four starts over the Dubai turf course.
“I’m over the moon,” O’Meara said. “It was a great ride by Danny (Tudhope) and a fantastic job done by (assistant/rider) Matt Ennis, who’s looking after him out there. It’s great for the Turnbull family. Geoff obviously passed away last summer and he’ll be looking down smiling, I suspect. Nick, who (runs the stable) now is doing a great job. All systems go, now, for the Dubai Turf. Hopefully we can get there fit and well.”
Geoff Turnbull, who along with wife Sandra ran in name and as Elwick Stud, passed at age 74 in mid-July. The pair’s dark blue and pink colours have competed at the top level across the world, including winning the Woodbine Mile (G1) and Arlington Million (G1) with Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) runner-up Mondialiste–who competed in UK, France, America, Canada, Hong Kong and Dubai–and in the past few years by his heir apparent Lord Glitters.
Since being purchased at Arqana for $322,659, following four wins from nine runs in France for Christophe Lotoux, the leggy Lord Glitters has gone on to eclipse Mondialiste’s earnings mark, while competing against the best milers and middle-distance horses in the world. His brilliant third-place finish to one of history’s great fillies, Almond Eye, in the 2019 Dubai Turf (G1) turned out to be a bit of magic foreshadowing, as he has returned to the UAE for the Dubai World Cup Carnival this year and thrice flourished over the same 1800m (nine-furlong) trip. In addition to the Jebel Hatta, he won the Singspiel (G2) and was an unlucky second in the Al Rashidiya (G2).
The focus now is on the next battle for the ageless warrior: a return to the $4 million Dubai Turf–one without Almond Eye and in which he figures as one of the favourites. A secondary focal point will be keeping the high-energy, massive athlete calm and collected as he faces the very best the globe can throw at him. Such appears to be a labour of love for connections who continue to admire his infinite fervour for competition.
“He’s nearly been the same since the day he walked in the yard,” O’Meara said. “He hasn’t lost any of his enthusiasm and his exuberant ways. He’s a joy to have around the place.
“He’s come out of the race okay and swam for a few days and had an easy time of it ahead of building him back up for world cup night,” O’Meara concluded. “We don’t need to work him too hard. He’s always very generous in his work. A lot of times, it’s just keeping a lid on him. On race day, he can get a little warm, but we know him well, now, and how to manage his ways.”
Lord Glitters will surely shine as brightly as he can on Dubai World Cup day. After all, he has much more interest in getting on with it than getting-on.
In Brief:
Friday’s G1 King’s Cup in Bahrain could beget a runner for the Dubai Sheema Classic or Dubai Gold Cup. Among the entries is well-regarded Fawzi Nass acquisition Glen Force… Friday’s G3 Al Ain Mile could produce a starter or two in the Dubai Kahayla Classic with a big effort. Darius du Paon, Dagui Lotois and Bandar surely fit the bill if they win impressively… Per Doug O’Neill, 2020 Curlin Handicap winner Parsimony is slated to return to Dubai for the Godolphin Mile… Local trainer Doug Watson has been encouraged with Mnasek’s training toward her challenge to the boys in the UAE Derby. The UAE Oaks winner must tote a feathery 53kgs (116.9lbs), which likely means that Sam Hitchcott will ride in lieu of Pat Dobbs… Swift Florida-based sprinter Zenden will likely follow in the footsteps of the past two winners of Tampa Bay Downs’ Pelican Stakes (Killybegs Captain, X Y Jet) and head to Dubai for the Dubai Golden Shaheen… Tacitus was confirmed out of the Dubai World Cup on Wednesday due to a minor stall accident, per Juddmonte USA manager Garrett O’Rourke.
Tamarkuz Media Press Release
Photos: Lord Glitters in Jebel Hatta (Erika Rasmussen/DRC), Lord Glitters in Queen Anne (Mathea Kelley), Lord Glitters training at Meydan (Michael Adolphson)
