March 30 (UPI) -- Right up to the end, Dubai World Cup night seemed to be a coronation of the world's best horses -- until Magnitude took the lead in the $12 million Group 1 Cup and held off the world's top-rated horse, Forever Young, for the upset win.
For owner Ron Winchell, the victory was redemption. Winchell also sent out Gun Runner for the 2017 World Cup, only to see him finish second to Arrogate's incredible last-to-first tour de force effort.
Winchell and trainer Steve Asmussen, who won the 2008 Cup with Curlin, gave Magnitude the same prep schedule as Gun Runner -- victories in the Grade II Clark Stakes in November at Churchill Downs and the Grade III Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park in late February.
Forever Young entered off back-to-back wins in the Breeders' Cup Classic and the Saudi Cup.
"What an incredible win," Asmussen said from the United States, where his horses had a full weekend including Kentucky Derby preps. "We just wanted to let him to run his race from point A to point B. The horse is running with a lot of confidence and that gave us confidence. It unfolded just how we wanted it to."
