The Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas (sponsored by Longines) awarded Kentucky Derby qualifying points for the first time, with Six Speed securing 20 points after a commanding victory for trainer Bhupat Seamer and jockey Michael Barzalona. This Not This Time colt was recently acquired by American owners Brunetti Dugan Stables, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Steve Adkisson Stables, and Swinbank Stables, who now have high hopes for the Kentucky Derby, especially after Six Speed’s impressive five-length win over Devon Island.
Seamer shared that while they were unsure if Six Speed could handle the 1,600-meter distance, the horse’s combination of speed and stamina proved exceptional. “He breaks well and maintains a strong pace, making him a trainer and jockey’s dream,” Seamer said. He added that the new U.S.-based owners likely purchased Six Speed with the Kentucky Derby in mind, which makes their confidence in the team especially rewarding.
Six Speed has now won three out of his four starts, including a dominant win in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial over seven furlongs on January 2 by more than three lengths. Looking ahead, the Dubai Road to Kentucky Derby Stakes (previously known as Al Bastakiya), a 1 3/16-mile race held on February 20 at Meydan, will serve as a key stepping stone, awarding 20 Derby points to the winner. The Euro/Middle East Kentucky Derby trail culminates with the $1 million G2 UAE Derby on March 28, run over the same distance during Dubai World Cup night, offering 100 points to the champion.
Bred by Katie Rich Farm in Kentucky, Six Speed was sold as a yearling to Margaret O’Toole for $50,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Sale, then reappeared at the 2025 Tattersall’s Craven Breeze Up Sale where Seamer purchased him for $304,680. This dark bay or brown colt is out of Browse, a Phipps-bred mare and half-sister to the G1 winner Billionaire Imagination.
Seamer and Barzalona previously worked together with Summer Is Tomorrow, the UAE Derby runner-up who competed in the 2022 Kentucky Derby, showing promising early pace before fading late.
This article originally appeared in the Paulick Report on January 23, 2026.
Fan Take: This news highlights the growing significance of the international routes to the Kentucky Derby, bringing fresh talent from the Middle East into the spotlight. For horse racing fans, it promises thrilling global competition and raises anticipation for a more diverse and exciting Derby field in the years ahead.
