Kentucky-bred Dark Saffron outsprinted Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) champion Bentornato to successfully defend his crown in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) on the Dubai World Cup card.
Dark Saffron broke sharply and contested the early pace set by Tuz. Having hit the front at the 500-metre mark, Dark Saffron finished strongly, holding Bentornato at bay to score by 1 3/4 lengths in the about six-furlong affair. With the win, Dark Saffron joins Caller One and Mind Your Biscuits as back-to-back winners of the race, which is a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland.
“Obviously he won this race last year and he come back and ran really well. It was a bit of a workout first time he ran this season,” said winning rider Connor Beasley. “
Prior to his second straight win in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), Dark Saffron finished second in the Mahab Al Shimaal Stakes (G3) at Meydan in February. All told, the son of Flameaway is a winner in 5-of-15 lifetime starts. He is owned by Sultan Ali and trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash. Bred in Kentucky by Brookdale Farm, LLC, Dark Saffron is a graduate of both the Keeneland September Sale in 2023 and the OBS Spring Sale in 2024. He has now banked more than $2.5 million. He is one of six winners for his dam, Meadow Saffron, by Military.