Jockey Mike Smith had so much confidence in Arrogate in the Dubai World Cup on Saturday night that he rode him the same way he used to ride the great mare Zenyatta, but he would not be drawn into saying which of the pair was better.

Arrogate’s earnings are now over US$17 million, which makes him the highest stakes earner in thoroughbred history.

After Arrogate had missed the break and been squeezed, Smith found himself in last position but remained calm having often been in that same position with the huge striding Zenyatta, whose only defeat was in her 20^th and final start.

However, Smith did make his move earlier on Arrogate than he used to on Zenyatta and steadily made up ground around the first turn and in the back straight.

However, at one stage his confidence was so high he geared him back a little bit, fearing he would hit the front too soon.

Around the final turn Arrogate moved from third last to third. Upon entering the straight an incident served to prove how strong the big horse is and how within himself he was moving. At that stage he received a hefty bump from the Mike de Kock-trained Mubtaahij, who was attempting to angle outward. However, he held the exact same line and didn’t seem to even notice the presence of the latter. He then cruised past the handy pair Gun Runner and Neolithic to win the US$10 million race as he liked by 2,25 lengths.

Up in the stands trainer Bob Baffert had a completely different take on the race. When he saw the sluggish start, doubt raced through his mind. “I was thinking maybe I shouldn’t have brought him, maybe he’s getting tired.” He talked about the “long ship” over  of a week, although added the horse had trained well in the last couple of days, so believed he would come into the race “fresh”. He saw the jockey sitting on the outside on Arrogate and thought, “Maybe Mike will look after him.” He admitted to then virtually writing Arrogate’s chances off and began concentrating more on his other runner, Hopportunity. However, when Arrogate made “a little move on the far turn”, Baffert said to himself “Wait a minute” and began having “a little hope”. He turned to his wife Jill as they turned for home and told her, “If he wins this race he is the most incredible horse I have ever seen”. Arrogate now had a target and Baffert knew all about his long stride. He admitted to becoming emotional at being involved with a horse who was producing a “Hollywood type finish”, such as was seen in movies like Sea Biscuit. He concluded by praising Smith for allowing Arrogate, whom he said was still a “big kid”, to gather himself after the unplanned start to the race.

Smith said Arrogate was a horse who “can do anything”, i.e. he can lead, come from last and they can go fast or slow, it doesn’t matter to him.

He added, “Look at him, he looks like he hasn’t taken a breath.”

Mubtaahij had a perfect trip until the bump at the top of the straight, but he still managed to fight on bravely for fourth and claim another placed finish for De Kock in the lucrative event. Mubtaahij earned a cheque of US$500,000 to end a disappointing Dubai Carnival for De Kock, at least by his high standards, on a high note.

In the latest Longines world rankings Arrogate was in joint first place on 127 with the phenomenal Australian mare Winx. This performance should take him to the top.

The now four-year-old lost on debut over six furlongs on April 17 last year, but has won his next seven starts, including four Gr 1s in succession over a mile and two furlongs (2000m).

He has twice beaten the previous darling of the American dirt, the seven-times Gr 1-winner California Chrome, first in the Breeders Cup Classic and then in the world’s richest thoroughbred horse race, the US$12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational.

Smith had previously said Arrogate was very much like his father Unbridled’s Song, on whom he won two Gr 1’s in the mid-nineties.

The grey colt’s laid back style of running means he looks to have plenty of racing still in him and the good news is Juddmonte Farms have said he will defend his Breeders Cup Classic crown next November.

By David Thiselton