Caballo De Mar’s remarkable journey from handicap hopeful to Group Three champion added another thrilling chapter this weekend, as the four-year-old galloper stormed to victory in the 141st Deutsches St Leger at Dortmund. Under the expert guidance of jockey Adrie de Vries, the George Scott-trained runner showcased both class and stamina, outpacing a competitive field and leaving fans buzzing about his future on the international stage.
It’s been a whirlwind season for Caballo De Mar, who entered Sunday’s contest with a record that already turned heads: four wins from six handicap starts, plus eye-catching runner-up finishes in the prestigious Chester Cup and the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot. Yet, after a less-than-stellar showing earlier this month in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock, some wondered if the magic might be fading. Well, those doubts were firmly put to rest at Dortmund, where Caballo De Mar delivered a performance that was all business and all heart.
The race itself was a tactical affair, with de Vries settling Caballo De Mar in a stalking second position, shadowing the early leader Waldnebel. The tension steadily mounted as the field rounded the final turn, but de Vries never panicked. With a cool head and perfect timing, he asked his mount for more in the home straight—and Caballo De Mar responded with a devastating turn of foot, sweeping past Waldnebel and powering clear to win by two and three-quarter lengths. The margin was decisive, the manner of victory emphatic, and the celebrations in the winner’s enclosure were nothing short of jubilant.
For trainer George Scott, the result was the culmination of months of careful planning and a testament to the horse’s resilience. “Adrie gave him the perfect ride, he felt the horse handled the ground well – we are so happy to have Adrie, what a legend of the sport,” Scott told race sponsor Wettstar after the race. He added, “Adrie said the horse was fine on the ground and it all went like clockwork. This is a very good, young horse, he knows how to win and he was second at Royal Ascot so he was entitled to run well.”
Scott’s praise for his jockey was matched only by his excitement for what lies ahead. The trainer revealed that international travel is very much on the horizon for Caballo De Mar, with a campaign in the Middle East firmly in the crosshairs. “We will take him home and see how he is but he will be prepared for a campaign in the Middle East. He could end up in Saudi for the Red Sea Handicap and then hopefully all roads lead to the Gold Cup on World Cup night in Dubai,” Scott explained. “He was bought by Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid (of Victorious Forever) to be campaigned in the Middle East, so that will be the plan.”
The backstory to Caballo De Mar’s rise is as compelling as his recent form. After a victory at Haydock in May, the horse was purchased by the Victorious Forever team, a racing operation led by Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid. Their vision was clear: to develop a horse capable of taking on the best in the Middle East’s richest and most competitive races. If Sunday’s triumph at Dortmund is any indication, that ambition is well within reach.
Caballo De Mar’s journey has not been without its challenges. The Old Borough Cup at Haydock earlier this month saw him finish down the field, a result that might have rattled a less seasoned team. But Scott and his connections remained steadfast in their belief. They pointed to the horse’s consistency throughout the season—four wins from six starts, plus those high-profile seconds at Chester and Royal Ascot—as a sign that he was ready to step up in class. Their faith was rewarded in spades at Dortmund.
For de Vries, the ride was a masterclass in patience and tactical nous. The veteran rider, widely respected across Europe for his cool demeanor and sharp race sense, judged the pace perfectly, never allowing Caballo De Mar to do too much too soon. His post-race assessment was as understated as it was telling: the horse, he said, “handled the ground well and it all went like clockwork.” Sometimes, in the high-octane world of flat racing, that’s all you need to hear.
What’s next for the Dortmund hero? The immediate plan is to bring Caballo De Mar home, assess his condition, and then map out a path to the Middle East’s marquee events. The Red Sea Handicap in Saudi Arabia looms as a likely target—a race that has quickly become a magnet for Europe’s top stayers, thanks to its lucrative purse and international prestige. And if all goes well, the ultimate prize awaits: the Gold Cup on World Cup night in Dubai, a test that separates the good from the truly great.
Of course, horse racing is a sport that never stands still, and the competition in the Middle East will be fierce. Yet, with a proven record in big handicaps, an ability to handle different ground conditions, and the backing of an ambitious ownership group, Caballo De Mar is shaping up as a genuine force on the global stage. The buzz among racing insiders is growing: could this be the horse to give George Scott and the Victorious Forever team their biggest international breakthrough yet?
Fans and pundits alike will be keeping a close eye on Caballo De Mar’s progress in the coming months. His ability to bounce back from adversity, adapt to new challenges, and deliver when it counts has already made him a favorite among punters and connections alike. With the Middle East campaign looming, the stakes are about to get even higher.
For now, though, the focus is on celebrating a job well done. The 141st Deutsches St Leger will go down as a career-defining moment for Caballo De Mar—a race where preparation, partnership, and a touch of brilliance combined to produce a performance for the ages. As the dust settles in Dortmund, one thing is clear: this story is far from over, and the best may be yet to come for George Scott’s rising star.
