A Group 1 winner in Australia, Germany and Dubai, Godolphin's magnificent stalwart Benbatl showed he still has what it takes to be competitive at the elite level with a course record-breaking performance in the Group II Joel Stakes (1m) at Newmarket overnight.
Ridden by Oisin Murphy for trainer Saeed bin Suroor, the 7yo son of Dubawi edged past a stubborn Pago (Zebedee) by three-quarters of a length with Godolphin's better favoured Master Of The Seas (Dubawi) a further one and a quarter length back in third.
It was a race Benbatl had won two years ago.
The world traveller endeared himself to Australians when winning the 2018 Group 1 Caulfield Stakes at his first appearance down under before running the champion Winx to two lengths in her fourth consecutive Cox Plate.
Benbatl was making just his second start of 2021, having been nosed out by Lavender Blue in the Group II celebrations Mile at Goodwood on August 28.
The son of Dubawi has won 11 and placed in seven of his 24 starts.
Murphy obviously has a soft spot for Benbatl, who he rode in the Cox Plate and to seven of his 11 wins.
"He's been a machine for a number of years.
"He gave me my first ever Royal Ascot winner. We're in 2021 now – four years later – and he's still winning Group Twos.
"He is the horse of a lifetime. When he won this race in 2019, he ran to a rating of 125.
"He's one of the best horses I've ridden, and I'm thrilled that we've got him back on track. They've done a super job at the stable to produce him year in, year out.
"Outside of Andrew Balding, Saeed is probably my biggest supporter. Winning these black-type races is what it's all about."
Saeed bin Suroor has several Group 1 options for Benbatl.
It could be Champions Day, but we'll talk to Sheikh Mohammed and make a plan for him.
"It could be the Breeders' Cup; we'll see.
"He's a tough horse that always tries his best. He's won this race twice now and has won big races in Germany, Australia, Dubai and England.
"He is the horse that is leading the stable. We have had a lot of fun with him.
"He missed the break at Goodwood. I spoke to Oisin immediately after the race, and he said, 'if I hadn't missed the break, I would have won'.
A 7yo entire, Benbatl is a brother to the stakes-placed Fooraat out of the Group 1 Belmont Flower Bowl Stakes and Group 1 Longchamp Prix de l'Opera winner Nahrain (Selkirk), a daughter of the Group II Royal Ascot Ribblesdale Stakes winner Bahr (Generous).
