"Haynes, a frequent globetrotter, finds himself valued at a million dollars, as he prepares to compete in a series of top-tier American races alongside a Newmarket trio"
Cairo Gears Up for US Debut in Arlington Million
After a successful career in UAE, Hong Kong, and Qatar, the globetrotting horse named Cairo is set to make his first start in the US in the Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs on Saturday at 10.54pm BST.
Trained by Alice Haynes, Cairo has been preparing for this race under the guidance of Ben Curtis, a former British and Irish-based jockey, at Colonial Downs. Cairo finished third to Docklands in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, indicating his readiness for the challenging US turf.
However, Cairo did not compete or place in the Arlington Million 2023. The race was won by Fort Washington, a six-year-old colt ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado and trained by Shug McGaughey. Fort Washington rallied from last place during most of the race to win by a half-length, completing the 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 1:59.58.
The Arlington Million is a prestigious Grade 1 contest over a mile and a quarter in Virginia, offering a prize of $1 million. The race featured a field of seven horses with longshot Time Song setting the early pace. Other notable runners included Fort Washington (winner), Integration (third), Grand Sonata (second), and Mystik Dan (fourth).
Integration, the 6-4 favourite for the Arlington Million, finished runner-up three times in Grade 1s this year and filled the same position in last year's Million. Meanwhile, El Cordobes, a Group 2 winner last time in the Princess of Wales's Stakes, put up decent efforts at Meydan earlier in the year.
Nations Pride, the winner of the Arlington Million last year, hasn't raced over a mile and a half for a while. Appleby hopes stepping up in trip can get Nations Pride back on track. Nations Pride's best effort since the Arlington Million was winning the Group 2 Singspiel Stakes at Meydan. Appleby is also involved in the Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga, where Nations Pride and El Cordobes are second and third in the betting.
As for Cairo, he is currently no bigger than 9-2 with British and Irish firms, reflecting his potential to make a strong impact in his US debut. The Arlington Million promises to be an exciting race, with Cairo joining the ranks of top horses vying for the coveted title.
In preparation for his US debut, Cairo, under the training of Alice Haynes and with Ben Curtis as his jockey, will compete in the upcoming Arlington Million race at Colonial Downs. This renowned Grade 1 horse-racing event, spanning a mile and a quarter, offers a prize of $1 million and has attracted a field of impressive runners, including Cairo and contenders such as Fort Washington, Integration, Grand Sonata, and Mystik Dan.
