First Classs

Highest-Earning U.S.-Bred Arabian Racehorse

Quick Facts

Earnings

$4.80 million

Record

41 starts, 10-8-6

Retired

2026

The Dubai World Cup • Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, UAE
Photo by Debbie Burt

Bred and owned by Deborah Mihaloff of Cre Run Farm in Doswell, Virginia, First Classs (Dahess—Toppoftheclass, by Genuine Monarch) becomes the first Arabian racehorse to reside in the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions.

Sired by Dahess out of Toppoftheclass, First Classs established himself early during his 3-year-old season in the United States, earning his first graded stakes win at Lone Star Park and taking home the Darley Award from the Arabian Racing Cup.

He soon expanded his campaign overseas, competing at the highest levels across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Proving his versatility on both dirt and turf at distances from 2,000 to 2,200 meters (10 to 11 furlongs), First Classs compiled a series of major international victories. While racing under a lease agreement with a Qatari owner in partnership with Mihaloff in 2022, he won the Group 1 Jewel Crown at Abu Dhabi Turf Club, the Group 2 Al Mneefah Cup in Saudi Arabia, and the Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic in Dubai.

Trained by Doug Watson and partnered with jockey Connor Beasley in his final seasons, First Classs continued to dominate at the Group 1 level. He secured a second victory in the Dubai Kahayla Classic, won the Abu Dhabi Gold Cup, and was named 2025 UAE Arabian Horse of the Year.

First Classs capped his career on Saudi Cup Day in 2026 with a victory in the $2 million Group 1 Obaiyah Arabian Classic. He retired to the Kentucky Horse Park as the highest-earning U.S.-bred Arabian racehorse in history, with $4,796,515 in career earnings and a record of 10 wins, 8 seconds, and 6 thirds from 41 starts.