Fernando Jara, riding Invasor of Argentina, wins the Dubai World Cup yesterday. The Dubai World Cup, with a cash prize of US$6 million is horse racing's richest prize.

DUBAI, (Reuters):

INVASOR LIVED up to his billing as the world's best horse by landing the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba yesterday.

The Breeders' Cup Classic winner, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Panamanian teenager Fernando Jara, outbattled fellow American raider Premium Tap to land the sport's richest prize - US$3.6 million.

Invasor, who has now won 11 of his 12 lifetime starts, reeled in long-time leader Premium Tap up the long straight to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths. Bullish Luck, trained in Hong Kong, was third.

"It's fabulous, it just doesn't get any better than this," said McLaughlin, who spent 10 years as a trainer in Dubai before returning to the U.S. in 2003.

"Premium Tap was digging in but we got on by and won it in the end.

"He's a special horse, If I made a mistake or Fernando did he would overcome it - he's that good."

Jara, 19, rode a supremely-confident race on a course he had experienced just once. Turning for home, and with just Premium Tap in front of him, Jara took a look around to see the remainder of the field struggling, got lower in the saddle and urged Invasor to go through the gears.

"I can't believe it. It's a race I've wanted to win since I was little. I knew I had a lot of horse and he ran on very well," said Jara.

The expected showdown between Invasor and the Godolphin-owned Discreet Cat never materialised.

a major disappointment

Previously unbeaten and the only horse to have been beaten Invasor when he triumphed in the UAE Derby on World Cup night last year, Discreet Cat proved a major disappointment and trailed in last of seven under Frankie Dettori.

The Italian jockey said Discreet Cat was "beaten before the turn".

Invasor completed a hat-trick of victories for American-trained challengers on World Cup night, following wins for Spring At Last (Godolphin Mile) and Kelly's Landing (Golden Shaheen).

There was also a double success for Asia with the continent landing two Group One prizes.

Hong-Kong based Vengeance of Rain produced an impressive staying performance to land the Dubai Sheema Classic for South African trainer David Ferraris.

The 43-year-old Ferraris moved to Hong Kong in 2003 after securing four champion trainer titles in his homeland.

Japan-trained Admire Moon showed a fine turn of foot to land the Dubai Duty Free under jockey Yutaka Take.

As impressive as Invasor was, the most eye-catching display came from Asiatic Boy who routed his rival to win the UAE Derby by almost 10 lengths for South African trainer Mike de Kock.

Jockey Weichong Marwing proclaimed Asiatic Boy as the "best horse I have ridden" and the bookmakers were suitably impressed, earning a 10-1 quote from William Hill for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

The Dubai World Cup is set to be held only twice more at Nad Al Sheba after Dubai Racing Club officials yesterday announced plans for a "new iconic horseracing city" to be built nearby.

The course, which will be called "Meydan" will take over staging the Dubai World Cup from 2010.

Officials said prize money for the showpiece race will increase from US$6 million to US$10 million in 2010.

"We wanted to develop a world-class facility and I cannot think of any other racecourse in the world that will rival it," said Dubai Racing Club chairman Saeed Al Tayer.