Group One Prix de la Salamandre at Longchamp. He started 6/4 favourite and Dettori sent the colt into the lead from the start. In the straight he held off a strong challenge from the future European Champion Sprinter Stravinsky to win by half a length in what one correspondent described as a "pulsating showdown". Stravinsky was subsequently disqualified for causing interference. After the race Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager, explained that the colt would be unlikely to run again that year as they did not want to over-race him. The bookmakers offered him at 7/1 for the following year's 2000 Guineas. 1999: three-year-old season By January 1999 Aljabr had shortened to 4/1 favourite for the Guineas, but after performing particularly well on the sand track in Dubai the decision was taken to send him to the United States for the Kentucky Derby. He arrived safely at Churchill Downs but was withdrawn two days before the race after bruising a hoof and sustaining a muscle injury in training. Aljabr did not reappear until June, when he was sent to Royal Ascot for the St James's Palace Stakes. Aljabr raced prominently and led the field into the straight. In the final furlong he was caught and passed by the French-trained Sendawar but stayed on to hold second place. In July Aljabr was made favourite for the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. As usual, he was sent to the front from the start and when pressed in the straight by Docksider he quickened again as "only a brilliant horse can" to pull ahead and win by a length. His winning time of 1:35.66 was a course record. Dettori expressed the view that Aljabr had been "a race short" (below peak fitness) at Ascot and looked forward to taking on Sendawar again. The rematch with Sendawar came in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp in September. Aljabr challenged for the lead in the straight, but weakened in the closing stages to finish a well-beaten fourth. It was subsequently revealed that Aljabr had fractured a bone in his knee, and the colt was off the course for the next eight months. 2000: four-year-old season Aljabr made a successful start to his four-year-old season by winning the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Predictably, he led from the start and was driven out to win by two lengths from Trans Island. This was to be his last