Just moments after Curlin romped across the finish line in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), jockey Robby Albarado’s wife Kimber, who was brushing tears of joy from her eyes, gleefully remembered what the rider had promised he would do if he won the race.

Together, trainer Steve Asmussen, jockey Robby Albarado and owner Jess Jackson have won more than 8,000 races—but none even remotely like the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).