Watch: 'Easiest horse in the world' Dubai Honour too good for Vauban as he extends unbeaten Australian record

Dubai Honour made it three wins from as many starts in Australia when landing the Group 1 Tancred Stakes under Tom Marquand. 

The William Haggas-trained seven-year-old landed the Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on back-to-back starts in 2023 on his last trip to Australia and he recorded another Group 1 victory here when beating Duke De Sessa, a dual Group 3 winner when trained by Dermot Weld who is now in the care of Ciaron Maher, by three-quarters of a length. 

2022 Triumph Hurdle hero Vauban was sent off the 21-10 favourite off the back of his successful stable debut for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in a 1m2f Group 3 at this track last month but despite stepping up to a more suitable 1m4f trip, he found Dubai Honour a length and a quarter too good.

Marquand was second on Dubai Honour in the Hong Kong Vase on his last outing in December but after his mount went one better than at Sha Tin, he said: "He felt like the winner and as a jockey there's horses that give you certain feelings and at the top of the straight, I went out rather than going back in.

"I think he'd won either way, to be honest. Issy [Paul, stable representative] does a great job every year and William and Mohamed Obaida [owner], to be brave enough to bring them back time and time again, I've got the easy job, I think."

Haggas was not at Rosehill but was soon on the phone to Paul after Dubai Honour notched up a sixth Group 1 winner in Australia for the trainer. "He's delighted," said Paul. "Absolutely delighted. He's such a star for the stable and it is so good to see at seven years old he's still winning."

Watch the full replay of Dubai Honour's latest Australian strike

Dubai Honour ran in four different countries last year and Paul added: "He's the most perfect horse to travel and he never misses a beat. We never have to worry about him and he is the easiest horse in the world. He's just so cool and such a talented animal."

Dubai Honour's superiority was acknowledged by the rider of runner-up Duke De Sessa, Harry Coffey. The jockey, who steered the second to win the Caulfield Cup in October, said: "He was a sitting duck up the straight. Winner too good. I'm super proud of him. He just got beaten by a really good horse." 

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