California Chrome made history with his victory in Saturday's $10 million (U.S.) Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates as he became North America’s top money-earning Thoroughbred.
With his career earnings climbing to $12.5 million, California Chrome surpassed 2008 Dubai World Cup champion Curlin's North American earnings record of $10.5 million.
The Group 1 stakes race, sponsored by Emirates Airline, was contested over a 2,000m dirt course.
A runner-up in the Dubai World Cup last year, the five-year-old son of Lucky Pulpit was victorious in his second attempt despite his saddle slipping throughout the race.
California Chrome left from post 11 and was forwardly placed by his regular jockey Victor Espinoza, racing three-wide most of the way outside of Mshawish (Lanfranco Dettori) and Special Fighter (Fernando Jara). The Art Sherman trainee was four-wide coming off the final turn as Mubtaahij (Christophe Soumillon) came through at the rail and then powered to the lead down the stretch to win by three and three-quarter lengths in a track record time of 2:01.83. Mubtaahij finished second and the Bob Baffert-trained Hoppertunity (Flavien Prat) came on for third. Special Fighter was fourth with Frosted (William Buick) finishing fifth over race leader Mshawish.
After the race, Espinoza explained he felt the saddle slipping backwards at the second turn and tried to keep his balance as it continued to slip down the stretch.
“I'm just trying to keep my balance and not move my body," said Espinoza. "I wasn't that concerned about it [the slipped saddle], I just kept looking forward and thinking 'where's the wire?' It was not coming fast enough.
"I felt like if I could hit the turn three or four-wide, I'll be in good shape. Today it proves how he can run when he's 100 per cent. The prep he felt strong. He won easy. I didn't want to override him because I knew he was going to have a tough race today. My goal after winning the Triple Crown was to win the Dubai World Cup. Last year, he finished second and it was not very fun.”
California Chrome adds the world's richest race to his impressive resume that includes victories in the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, which led to U.S. Horse of the Year honours in his sophomore season.