Future Champions Day 2013 Results: Recapping the Big Winners from Newmarket

Saturday’s Dubai Future Champions Day featured some thrilling racing. It gave us a tantalizing look at some of the horses that might follow in the footsteps of Frankel and Rock of Gibraltar, both of whom flourished at this festival in years gone by.

So which horses were the big winners from Saturday's intriguing day of racing?

War Command and Aiden O’Brien

Trainer Aiden O’Brien picked up his third win in the day’s feature race, the Dewhurst Stakes, as favorite War Command sampled victory ahead of outsider Cable Bay.

A win is a win, but War Command didn't give an overly convincing performance. He looked labored in the latter stages and at one point likely to be overhauled by the 20-1 Cable Bay. But jockey Joseph O’Brien—the son of Aiden—toughed it out and saw him home.

The unconvincing nature of his performance meant odds drifted from 10-1 to 11-1 on the colt to pick up victory in next year's prestigious 2,000 Guineas Stakes. But O’Brien won’t be overly concerned, as he also has the second favorite for that race in his stable, Australia.

There is definitely more to come from this horse, despite the fact he showed little of the dazzling form that saw him romp six lengths clear at the Coventry Stakes in June. 

The soft ground didn’t suit War Command. Now, it remains to be seen whether or not O’Brien will pick him as his main contender for next year’s 2,000 Guineas showpiece.

Astaire, Hot Streak and Kevin Ryan

The North Yorkshire-based trainer bagged a wonderful one-two in Middle Park. Astaire took the victory, with Hot Streak not far behind in second place.

Hot Streak came on strong in the latter stages, but Neil Callanan rode Astaire brilliantly to see him over the line. 

Afterward, the victorious trainer Ryan was in a buoyant mood. He had this to say, via Sky Sports:

"

In fairness, it's a shame one had to get beat. I thought going into the Dip that Hot Streak might pick him up, but Hot Streak got a bit warm today and maybe he's had enough for this year.

"

In many respects, the runner-up gave a more impressive performance. The horse showed unbelievable durability, after racing five times in just seven weeks—especially when you consider the strong manner in which he finished this contest.

David Redvers, racing adviser to Hot Streak's owners, Qatar Racing Limited, paid tribute to the horse in the aftermath, according to Sky Sports:

"

Hot Streak has run five times in seven weeks and Jamie said even Giant's Causeway couldn't do that. He is unbelievably tough, consistent and improved every run.

He's loved the ground, although he wouldn't mind any ground. He has just come back a week too quick from Ascot. But he is the second best two-year-old sprinter in the country, if not in Europe.

"

It bodes well for Ryan, who looks to have two of the best young sprinters in the country in his ranks.