Madison's Favorite Horse, Animal Kingdom, "A Shot In The Arm For U.S." Racing

Things weren't looking so good for U.S. horses during the recent World Cup races in Dubai. Whether it was the long international flights or the Tapeta artificial turf, which is controversial in some racing circles, the U.S. horses were posting one disappointing finish after another, reports Richard Gross in UPI Sports News. 

When it came time for the biggest race of the night, the winner-take-all $10 million final race, who would have thought Animal Kingdom might be the winner? Sure, Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby in 2011. But since then, he'd been troubled by a injuries that kept him from running in the World Cup last year.

According to Gross's article, Animal Kingdom was considered the least likely contender among the three U.S. entries in the race. 

And then Animal Kingdom burst from the gate and went to the outside. Check out the race in this video posted on YouTube. "Gates fly ... Animal Kingdom out wide," says the announcer calling the race. With 200 meters to go, Animal Kingdom stole the lead and ran away with the race.

From Richard Gross's report: 

"Remarkably, Animal Kingdom, running the entire race on the outside, powered by the U.S. mare Royal Delta to take a 3-length stretch lead, and then found another gear when challenged by British Champion Red Cadeaux to score an easy win in the night's biggest, and world's richest, race.The Dubai World Cup victory gave an American horse its first Dubai World Cup win since Meydan Racecourse opened with its Tapeta surface in 2010."

Tom and Julie Furey of Madison, CT, part owners of Animal Kingdom, were absolutely thrilled by the outcome of the race, reports their friend Ron Clark of Madison, who spoke with them that day.

Wednesday, Ron sent us this picture of the Fureys celebrating in the winner's circle, alongside jockey Joel Rosario and the other members of Team Valor, the consortium that owns Animal Kingdom. 

The picture tells us something else as well. Not only did the Fureys make a smart choice when it came to investing in Animal Kingdom, but Julie Furey looks absolutely fabulous, which is all part of winning the game at the Dubai World Cup. Dressed in a black dress with her hair pulled back, she's clearly on board with that classic advice, keep the hair and dress simple, and let the hat do the talking.