MUBTAAHIJ, photographed in his stable at the Blue Complex at Meydan on Sunday afternoon. He looked happy and relaxed after his stunning win in Saturday’s $US2-million UAE Derby and assistant trainer Trevor Brown commented: “He’s gentle always, he’s like a baby!”

As Mike noted in his review last week, Mubtaahij is not stabled with the rest of the De Kock string. He enjoys the occasional breeze and the sunlight in his modest, open stable outside and some distance away from the main barn, incidentally with Star Empire and Almoonqith as neighbours.

Mike said on Monday: “It’s the end of another Dubai season and I’d like to thank all the visitors who came to support us on Saturday at Meydan and during the course of the Carnival, also to our supporters in South Africa and elsewhere. It was heartwarming to see all the little flags around the winner’s enclosure and the cheers that went up when Mubtaahij came to the winner’s circle.”

He thanked his team and said: “The hard work by my assistants and grooms should never be forgotten and I’d like to thank Mubtaahij’s regular work rider, Lisa Moncrieff, in particular. She’s been with us for several years and she’s worked with a few special horses before this one, including Imbongi.”

Mubtaahij was a €450 000 purchase for Jehan Malherbe’s Form Bloodstock at the Arqana Sale in France in August 2013. Mike said: “This win blew me away, it’s the first time we’ve won the UAE Derby with a Northern Hemisphere-bred. It’s full steam ahead for the Kentucky Derby!”