Golden Vekoma shines in UAE 2000 Guineas Trial

The white-hot start to 2025 for Vekoma continued on Thursday at Meydan Racecourse in the UAE when Golden Vekoma rolled to a 2 ½-length victory in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial sponsored by the Kentucky Derby.

The 3-year-old colt won the 1,400-meter race with a decisive move coming into the stretch. After breaking from the outside post in the field of 12, Golden Vekoma was well-positioned throughout and looked every bit the winner at the top of the lane.

Golden Vekoma was making just his second lifetime start and will now likely be pointed to the major 3-year-old races at the same track.

“He’s got everything–the class the looks,” said jockey Connor Beasley. “I was delighted when I was drawn wide [12] as 1,400 metres is sharp enough for him. The key to him is that he was in a rhythm all the way tonight and going the mile or even further will be no problem.”

Owned by Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi, Golden Vekoma sold for $145,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling sale, where he was consigned by his breeder Woods Edge Farm LLC.

The bay colt is out of the stakes winner Sticks Wondergirl and is from the same family as graded stakes winners Goliad and Ice Dancing.

Vekoma, who was the champion First-Crop sire of 2024, scored a pair of stakes winners on Jan. 1 with Mi Bago in the Dania Beach S. and Five G in the Cash Run S., both at Gulfstream Park.