Hong Kong Vase hero Giavellotto is pleasing his connections in advance of a fourth-straight appearance on Dubai World Cup night on Saturday.
Affectionately known as Chicken around the Marco Botti yard, the seven-year-old son of Mastercraftsman ran second in the Vase in 2025. After running ninth and fifth in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, he ran fifth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic last term. In this year's edition, he will lock horns with the Longines World's Best Racehorse, G1 Japan Cup star Calandagan (Gleneagles). Since going close at Sha Tin, he was third in the G2 H.H. The Amir Trophy in Doha, Qatar.
Said Andrew Morris, head lad to Botti and responsible for the Chicken nickname, “We are very proud of him – he's just been a superstar. The highlight was when he won the Hong Kong Vase and when he was second last year. He tried but just didn't quite get there – it would have been a fairytale if he had.
“He's been unlucky too, especially here. In the Gold Cup in 2024 his rein came undone, and he still wasn't beaten very far. Then last year Oisin [Murphy, jockey] said he was too far back, but he still ran to a high level of form.”
Part of Giavellotto's success is his ability to travel well and his love of people.
“He travels so well because he likes the one-to-one attention,” said Morris. “He's soft. He thinks he's Mr Tough Guy but really he likes the attention. He loves people.”
“We've had some strong results here, third in the Sheema Classic, second in the Dubai Turf, second in the Gold Cup, and twice third in the Dubai World Cup, so to keep coming back and being competitive is something we're very proud of,” said Lucie Botti.
“Nights like this are always a privilege, and winning one of these races would be exceptional. For me, Dubai feels like a second home, so to finally add that one missing result would be incredibly special.”
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