Connections
Trainer: Michael DeKock
Michael DeKock was born on February 14, 1964. He began his training career in South Africa in 1989 and Won his first Grade I race within months with a filly called Evening Mist. He Was champion trainer in South Africa for the first time in the 1998/99 season and again in 2005/06. DeCock trained South African Triple Crown winner Horse Chestnut and Won the Dubai Duty Free with Ipi Tombe in 2003 and Right Approach in 2004, the UAE 2000 Guineas and UAE Derby with Victory Moon in 2003 and Asiatic Boy in 2007. He Won the 2008 Dubai Sheema Classic with Sun Classique and the UAE Derby with Honour Devil, as well as saddling Asiatic Boy to finish second behind the Curlin in the Dubai World Cup.
Archipenko will be his first starter in the Arlington Million though he saddled Irridescence to a second-place finish in the 2007 Beverly D.
Jockey: Kevin Shea
Kevin Shea has enjoyed a phenomenal 2008 season, taking down the Dubai Sheema Classic with Sun Classique, and then winning at Royal Ascot aboard likely Arlington Million favorite Archipenko. The South African rider has recently aligned himself with the powerful International stable of Mike DeKock, and the two have shared quite a bit of success. Shea also dead-heated for the win in this year's Durban July, South Africa's most famous race.Owner: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum & Dr. Ashley Parker
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum is the first cousin of the current ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum and the head of the Dubai Land department, the land registrar of Emirate of Dubai, a position he has held since 1971. He was educated in England at Bell School of Language and trained and rode Arabian horses in events of up to 120 km. Dr. Ashley Parker and his mother Rose Parker are the owners of South Africa's Ascot Thoroughbred Stud. The Parkers started Ascot farm in 1968, and built it up to be amongst the leading breeders in South Africa over the past 25years. They currently stand the stallions Al Mufti and Lecture at the stud farm. Dr Ashley Parker qualified as a veterinarian in 1983.
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