With the DWC being next week, I wanted to feature a DWC winner. The question was, who would it be. It could have been the first DWC winner Cigar who is still beloved in the US, it could have been the ill fated Dubai Millennium or it could have been Victore Pisa who uplifted the nation of Japan just weeks after last year's devestrating earthquake and tsunami. Instead, I decided to go with a horse who was owned by one of my favorite Kentucky farms. He also happens to be my favorite DWC winner. Of course I'm talking about the final horse to win on convential dirt in Dubai, the Tiznow gelding Well Armed. Owned by WinStar Farm, he was sent to Dubai to run in UAE Derby to get ready for the European season. Unfortunately an injury at the beg. of the race cost him more then anyone had bargained for. That injury would turn out be life threatning, but with the help of co-owner Bill Casner and other employees, he was nursed back to health.
After a year of rehab, he was transferred to Eoin Harty in the US. Well Armed would go onto to finish second in the San Pasqual and win the San Antonio, before returning to Dubai to finish third behind Curlin. After some solid finishes including a runner up in the Pacific Classic, he would enter the BC Dirt Mile as the favorite. However, a poor ride by Aaron Gryder cost him the race, as he would lose to Albertus Maximus.
Still, Aaron was able to keep the mount on Well Armed. Together the next year they finished 4th and 2nd in the San Pasqual and the San Antonio. Still it was enough for a return trip to Dubai. This time there was no denying him as he lead gate to wire to win the final edition of the World Cup at Nad Al Sheba. In that race he was able defeat Gloria de Campio (who would win the DWC the next year), Asiatic Boy (who had had finished right in front of Well Armed the year before), Casino Drive (half brother to Jazil, the 2006 Belmont winner and 3/4 to Rags to Riches the 2007 Belmont winner) and more importantly turning the tables on Albertus Maximus.
Well Armed made one more start in his career, finishing last in the San Diego Handicap. Sadly injuries had caught up to him and he was retired. He currently lives on Bill Casner's farm in Texas. DRF did a wonderful article on Bill (who sold his portion of WinStar to Kenny Troutt who was the co-owner of the farm with him until 2010) last year and Well Armed is mentioned as the main horse in there.
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