Benbatl back in work with York a possible option

Bin Suroor runner set for late-summer return.

Saeed bin Suroor’s stable star Benbatl is back in training ahead of a return to action later this summer.

The six-year-old has demonstrated his versatility late in life by proving just as effective on dirt when winning a Group Two at Meydan before finishing third in the inaugural Saudi Cup behind Maximum Security.

He was favourite for the Dubai World Cup before that meeting was cancelled at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Benbatl is well. We gave him a break after Dubai,” said Bin Suroor.

“In August we will start looking at races for him. He’s in the Juddmonte at York and when we get closer to the race we’ll see how he is.

“Whether he stays in training next year, to go to Saudi Arabia and Dubai again, we’ll have to see how he runs this year and I’ll talk to the boss (Sheikh Mohammed).

“He’s a very consistent horse and always shows his class. He’s as good on turf and dirt and ran a big race in Saudi.

“He was favourite for the World Cup, they all had him to beat.”

Stunning Beauty spreadeagled the field on her debut
Stunning Beauty spreadeagled the field on her debut (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Bin Suroor could have a new star on his hands given the way Stunning Beauty won on her debut at Newmarket by four lengths.

“She is a nice filly. I just want to see how she is over the next few days as that was her first ever run,” said Godolphin’s long-standing trainer.

“We’ll have a look for a Listed race I think and then maybe in October we can look at a Group One.

“We started her off over a mile, but she has got plenty of speed so if we have to drop down to seven furlongs next time, that wouldn’t be a worry.

“Next year she’s a filly for middle distances. I like her a lot, she has always shown us plenty at home, she has shown plenty of class.”

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Saeed bin Suroor Stunning Beauty

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