Al Zanati Leaves It Late In The Thomas Bryon, Kentucky Derby On The Horizon?

He did a lot of things wrong before and during Tuesday's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon, but ultimately Godolphin's Al Zanati (Dubawi) was able to impose himself on proceedings in the nick of time. Difficult to load and recalcitrant throughout the early stages as William Buick sought to tuck him in behind, the 3-5 favourite who had been runner-up in the G3 Autumn Stakes last month had to close wide in the straight.

Knuckling down where it mattered, the homebred cut down compatriot Bourbon Blues (Space Blues) in the final stride for a head success, with fellow Charlie Appleby-trained Pacifica Pier (Palace Pier) 2 1/2 lengths away in third.

“I'm pleased we ran him, because it would have annoyed me over the winter had he not been a Stakes winner at two,” Appleby said of Al Zanati. “He's a work in progress, but the engine's there–it's a case of how he is mentally. He can be a challenge some mornings, he's sometimes electric and sometimes workmanlike so it's all about maturity.”

“Stepping up in trip will see him improve, but mentally he should improve a lot and his dam was a challenge too,” he added of the winner, who could be about to switch to the dirt with the Kentucky Derby a distant dream at present. “We wanted to see what he was like on the surface and we could look at taking him to Dubai and go the Al Bastakiya route and see where we are. A good strong ten-furlong race will suit.”

Gets up on the line!

Last seen finishing 2nd in the Autumn Stakes, Al Zanati flashes home late to land Group 3 honours at Chantilly for @Godolphin and Charlie Appleby… pic.twitter.com/bhj1lDmvi6

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 18, 2025

Pedigree Notes
Al Zanati is the second foal out of the smart Divine Image (Scat Daddy), whose career tally included wins in the G3 UAE Oaks and aforementioned Al Bastakiya in 2019. She is a daughter of the multiple Stakes-placed Sure Route (Ishiguru), who also produced the GIII Royal Delta Stakes runner-up Grand Job by Justify, while the family also includes the Graded-Stakes winners Motor City (Street Sense) and Rich Mommy (Algorithms). Her yearling colt is by Frankel, while she also has a colt foal by Wootton Bassett.