Raging Torrent jumped right out front in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2) and, with Frankie Dettori controlling the pace, was never in trouble thereafter on his way to a 3 1/2-length victory April 5 at Meydan Racecourse.
Dettori scored his eighth win in the Godolphin Mile. Trainer Doug O'Neill notched his third, and second in a row, following Two Rivers Over in 2024.
For Raging Torrent, a 4-year-old son of Maximus Mischief , it was his second consecutive win. He had been on the sidelines since taking the Malibu Stakes (G1) on Santa Anita Park's opening day Dec. 26, also with Dettori aboard.
"He runs well fresh," Dettori said. "That was the plan, to put him away for this race. It went like clockwork. He's such a lovely horse."
The start was key as the Meydan Racecourse was dry on an unusually hot day even for the desert. Running at the front of the field not only kept Raging Torrent out of traffic but also out of the sandy kickback coming from the surface.
"He was quick away and I was able to dole out fractions because, in fairness, he was a sprinter in America," Dettori said.
O'Neill said a front-running effort was the generally understood plan but not formally discussed.
"Earlier in the day, you hear that speed just kind of sticks. We knew that was our strength," he said. But he said giving Dettori specific instructions was not part of the program.
"You don't," he said. "Just making small talk, I said, 'We'll probably bound out of there and make the lead.' He said, 'We'll see. Let's play it by ear.'
"Frankie reeks with so much confidence that you just go with him. And it worked out perfect."
The finish was a thoroughly international affair with France's King Gold putting in a late run to get second. Kazu Petrin was third for Japan. Steal Sunshine, exiting a second-place finish in the Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2), finished fourth for the American contingent.
Raging Torrent was bred in Kentucky by Rodney J. Winkler and Alfonso Mazzetti. Mark Davis landed him for what turned out to be a bargain $75,000 at the 2023 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, and campaigned him in partnership with Great Friends Stables through his Malibu win. The colt raced for owners Zhang Yuesheng of Yulong Investments and Great Friends Stables for the Godolphin Mile.
His dam, Violent Wave, is a daughter of Violence . She had one win from four starts in 2018. Third-crop sire Maximus Mischief, a 9-year-old grade 2 winner by Into Mischief , stands at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky for a fee of $15,000 in 2025.
Raging Torrent had one win from five starts as a 2-year-old but blossomed at age 3, winning three straight races, including the 2024 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar, before finishing seventh in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1).
Asked where he will go next, O'Neill quipped, "Probably the bar. But, seriously, we're just going to enjoy this night."
Dettori, reflecting on his long history of success in Dubai, said, "I guess you could say I grew up here."
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