Dubai: Banishing runs down Commissioner King to take Godolphin Mile

From West Virginia last summer to Dubai on Saturday, Banishing has won two major stakes in the last year for trainer David Jacobson.

The 6-year-old Banishing ended a five-race losing streak in Saturday’s Group 2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan Racecourse, the first Thoroughbred race on the Dubai World Cup program.

Ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, Banishing closed from third in a field of 12 to win by 2 1/4 lengths over local stakes winner Commissioner King. Banishing paid $8.20 in American pools, and was 6-1 with British bookmakers.

De Sousa gave Banishing a patient ride, stalking Commissioner King, the 3-2 favorite who led by about three lengths with a quarter-mile remaining. Banishing steadily gained on Commissioner King and took the lead with a sixteenth of a mile remaining.

Banishing was timed in 1:38.23.

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The $1 million Godolphin Mile was Banishing’s first win since the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic in West Virginia last August, and first start since an eighth-place finish in the $20 million Saudi Cup at 1 1/8 miles in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 14.

“My horse was coming back in trip and it suits him,” de Sousa said. “He’s a proper miler. There was a lot of pace in the race and I just held the horse where he wanted to be.”

Commissioner King had the best finish of six runners in the race from the stable of Bhupat Seemar, who leads the local standings. Mendelssohn Bay and Diamond Dealer, also trained by Seemar, finished third and fourth.

Banishing, a Kentucky-bred gelding by Ghostzapper, has won 10 of 29 starts. The Godolphin Mile was his fifth stakes win, and his richest victory, worth $580,000. Banishing races for Lawrence Roman and Jacobson and for Saudi Arabia-based owner Sharaf Mohammed Al Hariri in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

The Godolphin Mile was Banishing’s third start of the year. He was sixth of 12 in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24.

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