Finally, after suffering through nearly 18 years of the embarrassingly funny Borat Sagdiyev, the fictional TV journalist from Kazakhstan perpetrated on innocent victims by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, the racing world gets a chance to appreciate the real thing.
In two feature films, Borat has tweaked the hypocrisy of western institutions and celebrity targets to hilariously offensive extremes, capping off his most outrageous exchanges with the catchphrases "High five!" or "Very nice!" At first, his act was condemned as offensive in Kazakhstan, until it was not, and today the promotional material for the nation's tourist attractions is capped by the kicker, "Very nice!" If you can't beat 'em ...
Now, in news notes emanating from Dubai, a person identified as a "TV host" in his native Kazakhstan happens to own the Thoroughbred racehorse Kabirkhan, a runner in the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) on the evening of March 30. Tlek Mukanbetkaliyev is the name of the owner, and his horse has been beaten only once in 11 starts.
Kabirkhan enters the 2,000-meter (1 1/4 miles) World Cup off consecutive victories in two local Dubai races. The Equibase odds line finds Kabirkhan listed as the 7-2 second choice behind defending champ Ushba Tesoro and more fancied than either Saudi Cup (G1) winner Senor Buscador or Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Newgate.
Go figure.
Without a doubt, much of Kabirkhan's pre-race appeal has stemmed from his exotic journey from a Keeneland yearling sale to the racing worlds of Kazakhstan, Russia, and now the Middle East. It also helps that the 4-year-old colt is in good form and has in his corner the local leading trainer Doug Watson and veteran stable jock Pat Dobbs.
Then again, the hunch players will be out in force, convinced that lightning will strike twice and Kabirkhan—no matter his backstory—will be able to emulate his sire, 2016 Dubai World Cup winner California Chrome .
This will be the 28th running of the World Cup. The only World Cup winner sired by a World Cup winner has been Moon Ballad, in 2003, who was from the first crop of 1997 World Cup winner Singspiel.
But California Chrome was not just any World Cup winner. Chrome was a superstar Thoroughbred at home, where his modest roots as a product of California's Central Valley flew in the face of Kentucky bluebloods. With victories in the 2014 Santa Anita Derby (G1), Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness Stakes (G1), and Hollywood Derby (G1T), he was an all-American Horse of the Year. He raced on until the beginning of 2017, amassing $14.7 million in prize money along the way from 16 wins in 27 starts and a second North American Horse of the Year title in 2016.
California Chrome's journey as a stallion has been no less adventurous than Kabirkhan's racing career. It began in Kentucky, shuttled to Chile, then landed in Japan, where he served his first season of mares at Arrow Stud in 2020. His first crop there are now 3-year-olds.
"It was the Japanese who made me aware of the colt in Dubai," said Perry Martin, who was the co-breeder of California Chrome and has been a principal part of all ownership combines since. "It's amazing he's getting the chance he's been given, especially where he comes from. I know what it costs to take a horse to Dubai. From his form over there, I think he's got a good shot."
California Chrome finished second in the 2015 Dubai World Cup to local longshot Prince Bishop, an unaccomplished gelding who never raced again. Trainer Art Sherman sent his horse early to Dubai the following year for a winning prep race, then aced the World Cup under Victor Espinoza's cool-headed ride, during which his saddle slipped dangerously rearward until it was noticeable even from the viewing stands.
"I was nervous, so I got away from everybody and watched the race from the top of the stretch," Martin said. "As he was coming around the turn I could only think, 'What the heck is going on here?' By that time he was all lathered up underneath. I didn't tighten the girth myself, but I did watch Art do it."
To that point, Espinoza was occupied more with keeping as still as possible to prevent the saddle from slipping further, while the free-running California Chrome raced just off the lead. Then came the moment of truth, and Espinoza had to signal with stick, hands, and legs that it was go time. Chrome responded with a burst that carried him on to victory, complete with his badly displaced girth that held on long enough for Espinoza to dismount after pulling up and reset the saddle.
Of course, that's how California Chrome rolled, nothing but drama. Kabirkhan comes from his final Kentucky crop, foaled in 2020, and went for just $12,000 in the waning hours of the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. In the growing number of interviews given by Mukanbetkaliyev, the owner insists the colt caught his eye because he is a diehard California Chrome fan—a Kazakh Chromie—and Kabirkhan sports the vibrant chestnut coat, wide blaze, and white stockings of his sire. He has three, Chrome has four.
For his $12,000 (by current exchange rates 5.3 million Kazakhstani tenge), Mukanbetkaliyev also got just enough female pedigree to push back against Kabirkahn as a genetic fluke. The dam, Little Emily, is by Castledale, who gives Kabirkahn Santa Anita Derby winners top and bottom. Little Emily managed to win a stakes race in 2012 at Fairplex Park before racing at the L.A. County fair went belly up, and her line traces cleanly to Deceit, winner of the 1971 Acorn Stakes and Mother Goose Stakes.
About the safest Borat film quote printable on a family website is, "My country send me to United States to make movie-film. Please, come and see my film. If it not success, I will be execute."
Now Kabirkhan has been sent to Dubai by his country to make racing history. If he is not a success, he still will be welcomed home as a hero. But if he wins, there will be shouted from the Kazakh rooftops the only possible reaction:
"Very nice!"
