Animal Kingdom, the winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, made a winning return at Gulfstream Park as he prepares for next month's Dubai World Cup.

The four-year-old had not raced since last June, but outclassed the field at the weekend as he charged up the finishing stretch to win by three lengths.

Animal Kingdom's win has seen him installed as joint second favourite with most bookies for the Dubai World Cup, behind 7/2 So You Think and alongside 6/1 Smart Falcon.

Trainer Graham Motion was delighted with the horse's win, admitting that he feels added pressure having a Kentucky Derby winner in his care.

"I think when you have a Derby winner everybody owns a little piece of him," Motion said.

"It may sound a little corny, but when you have a Derby winner, he's a little bit the people's horse and you have a responsibility. I think the reception he got was neat, and I'm glad we got to run him here."

Eurosport