DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 1 (UPI) -- The horses weren't the only rising stars at the track during Saturday's Dubai World Cup program.
Mahmoud al Zarooni may be seen as Godolphin's "other" trainer, but the former assistant to lead trainer Saeed bin Suroor took a giant leap forward on the international stage as he captured his first Dubai World Cup trophy with Monterosso and the runner-up position with fast-improving Capponi.
The 35-year-old Emerati gave a hint of his own increasing prowess when Capponi won the Al Maktoum Challenge Round III during this year's Dubai World Cup Carnival, as well as both the 2012 UAE 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas. He also trained two winners on last year's World Cup card, Sheema Classic winner Rewilding in record time and Godolphin Mile victor Calming Influence.
Although he is a relative newcomer on the world stage, al Zarooni is no stranger to horsemen in the UAE. He began his career as a groom at Abu Dhabi's Ghantoot Racing Club, then moved to the stables of Ali al Raihe in Sharjah. There he met and became good friends with fellow Emerati Ahmed Ajtebi who rides Capponi.
Al Zarooni's big break came when he was asked by Sheik Mohammed to join Godolphin as one of bin Suroor's assistants. Al Zarooni was promoted to trainer when it was decided to split the growing ranks of Godolphin horses. His first major success came with a win by Vale of York in the 2009 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Stakes at Santa Anita.
Monterosso's success in the Dubai World Cup was a surprise to many, but not to al Zarooni, who took a page from the winning runs of 2009 winner Well Armed, third to Curlin in 2008, and 2010 champion Gloria de Campeao, runner-up to Well Armed in 2009.
"I think experience in this race is very important," explained al Zarooni. "Last year's third-place finisher is this year's winner and it was similar the year before. This year's runner up is Capponi," he added with a smile.
The same notion may also apply to trainers since both of al Zarooni's previous World Cup runs were third-place finishes.
The big win surely pleased the trainer's boss, Sheik Mohammed, who accepted the winning trophy for the race he conceived and began running in 1996 with American Champion Cigar the winner. While public displays of affection normally are frowned upon in the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed could not hide his own excitement as he hugged and lifted winning jockey Mickhail Barzalona into the warm night air in the winner's circle.
The Dubai World Cup is equally important in al Zarooni's own personal history since the time he was a young man riding horses in the desert.
"The Dubai World Cup," he says as he shakes his head slowly for emphasis. "Very good horses, American, Irish, now UAE. Year after year, the horses are getting better."
So, too, are the trainers.
