Probable fields are set for Dubai World Cup card
Thirty-three Thoroughbred Group 1 winners are among horses from 13 countries expected to run at the $30.5 million Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan Racecourse on March 30.
Defending champion Ushba Tesoro, Saudi Cup (G1) winner Señor Buscador and Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Derma Sotogake are among a projected lineup of 13 for the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1). The locally trained contingent is led by Kazakhstan-owned sensation Kabirkhan, winner of the Maktoum Challenge (G1).
2024 Dubai World Cup G1
The $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) has a projected field of 12, with 2022 winner Shahryar aiming to become the first horse to win it twice. He is part of a formidable Japanese team that includes top fillies Liberty Island and Stars On Earth. Taking them on from Europe is Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin and Coronation Cup (G1) winner Emily Upjohn, and the Godolphin challenge relies on 2021 UAE Derby (G2) winner Rebel’s Romance.
Lord North goes for an unprecedented fourth win in the $5 million Dubai Turf (G1). The John and Thady Gosden-trained gelding faces a potential 14 rivals, including Arima Kinen winner Do Deuce and Lord’s North stablemate, the multiple Group 1-winning mare Nashwa.
There are two valuable sprints on the card, including the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1). Defending champion Sibelius faces last year’s fourth Hopkins, while the Japanese challenge is headed by impressive Riyadh Dirt Sprint winner Remake.
The $1.5 million Al Quoz Sprint (G1) has an international look, with multiple Grade 1 winner Casa Creed traveling from America, Jasper Krone from Japan and several British runners, including Group 1 winners Regional and Emaraaty Ana. California Spangle, winner of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (G1) last weekend, journeys from Hong Kong.
The card is bolstered by three Group 2 races, beginning with the Godolphin Mile. The strong lineup features 2023 winner Isolate and Saudi Crown, third in the Saudi Cup last time out.
Devastating Saudi Derby winner Forever Young is the star attraction in the UAE Derby (G2), in which he is likely to be joined by U.S. raider Pandagate, as well as UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) winner Mendelssohn Bay and Henry Adams and Navy Seal, both trained by Aidan O’Brien.
O’Brien runs Tower Of London in the Dubai Gold Cup (G2), in which his likely opponents include Irish St Leger (G1) winner Eldar Eldarov, Yorkshire Cup (G2) winner Giavellotto and Lonsdale Cup (G2) winner Coltrane.
The traditional curtain raiser to the day is the $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic (G1) for purebred Arabians in which a likely field of 13 includes 2022 winner First Classs and the unbeaten Saudi star Asfan Al Khalediah.