A trip to the Breeders' Cup will be strongly considered for Daahyeh after she led home a one-two for trainer Roger Varian with a hard-fought success in the Shadwell Rockfel Stakes.
Winner of the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, the daughter of Bated Breath had since filled the runner-up spot behind Raffle Prize in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes before finding only Love too strong in the Moyglare Stud Stakes in Ireland less than a fortnight ago.
She was the 11-8 favourite to get back on the winning trail at Newmarket in the hands of William Buick - and while she travelled powerfully to the lead, it took her a while to shake off the forcefully-ridden pair of Cloak Of Spirits and Under The Stars.
However, she responded admirably to her rider's urgings to hold that duo at bay and passed the post half a length clear of her stable companion Stylistique, who finished strongly under Frankie Dettori to beat Cloak Of Spirits to second place by a short head.
What a win, Daahyeh owned by H.H. Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa wins the Group 2 Shadwell Rockfel Stakes under William Buick. pic.twitter.com/ALa7VY1Or3
— Dubai Racing Channel (@DubaiRacingTV) September 27, 2019
Varian said of the winner: "William was very impressed with her - he felt she didn't handle the dip very well, but he loved how she moved into it between the three (furlong marker) and the two.
"He said she felt very classy and that she would win a bit more comfortably than she did. He didn't really feel she handled the undulations of Newmarket, but that she was strong at the line.
"I think it (Breeders' Cup) will certainly come under consideration. We even had the discussion after she came second in the Moyglare that the Breeders' Cup might be an option and I'm sure it still is, but it will all depend on her condition.
"She would have to prove herself at a mile (in America), but I'm sure you could compare an American mile to a Curragh/Newmarket seven furlongs, which is what she has contested the last twice, so you would be hopeful she would get the trip.
"Whether she goes to the Breeders' Cup or not, assessing her performances this season we would have to consider her a 1000 Guineas candidate at the very least."
The Newmarket handler was also delighted with the performance of the runner-up, adding: "She is a lovely filly and it is a black mark against my training career that is she still a maiden.
"She is a lovely filly that is owned by a very enthusiastic owner/breeder. I'm delighted she has got some meaningful black type.
"I'm sure she will win in her turn, even if we come back to novice company.
"She is a big, scopey filly and she is going to be an exciting prospect for next year. Frankie jumped off her and loved her - he said she will get a mile, but no more."
Saeed bin Suroor is eyeing an appearance on Champions Day at Ascot for Benbatl after the triple Group One winner proved his considerable ability remains very much intact with a dominant comeback victory in the Shadwell Joel Stakes.
Saeed bin Suroor's stable star won three times at the highest level in 2018 - running out a brilliant winner of the Dubai Turf at Meydan in late March before landing the Grosser Dallmayr Preis in Germany in July and the Ladbrokes Stakes in Australia in October.
Having been off the track since chasing home the wonder mare Winx when she made history with a fourth victory in the Cox Plate, Benbatl was a 4-1 chance on his return from an 11-month absence - and he was soon bowling along in front in the hands of Oisin Murphy.
Having initially been ridden with restraint, Frankie Dettori moved the high-class three-year-old King Of Comedy closer to the pace at the halfway stage of the one-mile contest, seemingly keen not to give Benbatl too much rope.
However, it was clear over a furlong out that the 6-5 favourite was struggling to close the gap and the further Benbatl went the better he looked, passing the post with five lengths in hand.
في اول ظهور له هذا الموسم، بن بطل يحقق انتصار مريح بسباق شادول جويل ستيكس للفئة الثانية باشراف المدرب سعيد بن سرور و قيادة الفارس اويشن ميرفي
— Dubai Racing Channel (@DubaiRacingTV) September 27, 2019
What performance, Benbatl trained by Saeed Bin Suroor wins the Group 2 Shadwell Joel Stakes under Oisin Murphy pic.twitter.com/IADfgoKbkd
Bin Suroor said: "In the mornings he has been working really well - he showed his class in his last piece of work on the Watered Gallop.
"It was a hard season for him last year and he ran in many races, starting in Dubai. We talked to Sheikh Mohammed and decided to give him a break to start him at this time of year.
"We will keep the options open and I want to speak to the boss.
"We will be looking at Group One races for him and we could take him to Ascot for the QEII or the Champion Stakes and there is also a race for him in Germany. After that I want to take him back to Dubai and run him in the big races there.
"He is a solid horse that has always tried really hard. Talking to Oisin he said he would have no problem being kept at a mile or going back to a mile and a quarter, but he showed plenty of speed.
"It was very important (to get him back on track). In the stable there is always a star and he is one of them. He is a Group One winner in the past and we are looking to keep him happy and healthy for the future."
