Dubai World Cup night draws 762 nominations from 19 countries

Thoroughbred racing’s top stars have been nominated for the highly anticipated 25th running of the Dubai World Cup, which is scheduled for March 27 at Meydan Racecourse. Among the global stars highlighting the nominations are Knicks Go, Charlatan, Bivouac, Chrono Genesis, Addeybb and Mogul. A total of 1,511 nominations were accepted from 762 horses trained in 19 countries.

The Group 1 $12 million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline saw a total of 176 nominations led by a strong USA representation including Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner Knicks Go, and Bob Baffert-trained Malibu Stakes (G1) winner Charlatan.

Other major contenders include multiple G1 winner Code Of Honor, Godolphin’s undefeated Brendan Walsh trainee Maxfield, G2 winners Sleepy Eyes Todd and Tax, with the latter trained by Danny Gargan, one of the new trainers to have nominated this year.

Tacitus, who finished fourth in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic, returns, after having nominated last year as well. John Gosden’s Dubai Warrior, who is expected to make a Dubai debut in the Al Maktoum Challenge Rd 2, also joins the list. Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s Military Law is expected to shine among the UAE contenders, as are Capezzano, Matterhorn and Kimbear. Contested over 2,000 meters on dirt, it has been won by horses trained in France, Japan, UAE, the United Kingdom and U.S. in its first 24 runnings.

The $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) promises to be a star-studded affair, with Addeybb, ranked third Best Racehorse in the Longines World Racing Awards, topping the nominations. With an impressive rating of 125, the 7-year-old is trained by William Haggas, and he is the highest rated horse among those nominated for this race.

The Japanese representation is led by multiple G1-winning mare Chrono Genesis, who most recently won the G1 Arima Kinen at the end of 2020. The returning G1 and multiple G2 winner Glory Vase adds greater depth.

Other G1 winners in competition include Bill Mott’s Channel Maker, David Smaga’s Nao Da Mais, and Aidan O’Brien’s Mogul. Trainers Saeed bin Suroor, John Gosden and Charlie Appleby are the most successful saddlers in this race, with two wins apiece, while Great Britain has had the most success with seven wins so far.

The $4 million Dubai Turf (G1) has an impressive lineup of nominations with contestants looking to fill the rather large shoes of 2019 winner and the now retired Japanese Superstar Almond Eye. The heavy hitters include John Gosden’s Lord North, winner of the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes, Bahrain International Trophy winner Simsir from the stables of Fawzi Nass, Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1) Champion Colonel Liam and Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G2) winner Largent, both under the care of USA trainer Todd Pletcher.

European representation comes through G1 Queen Anne Stakes winner and Singspiel Stakes (G2) victor Lord Glitters, trained by David O’Meara. John Gosden also saddles Global Giant who finished second in the Bahrain International Trophy.

American winners account for 13 of 24 editions of the G1 $1.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News over 1,200 meters. This year a robust offering comes from the USA, including Peter Miller’s G1 winner and Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up C Z Rocket, Steve Asmussen’s G2 winner Yaupon, Doug O’Neill’s multiple G3 winner Wildman Jack, and Bob Baffert’s Ax Man.

2019 Dubai Golden Shaheen runner-up Matera Sky from the stables of Hideyuki Mori, and Yoshito Yahagi’s Justin highlight the Japanese contingent. Local favorite Gladiator King adds value to the line-up.

The $1 million Al Quoz Sprint (G2) over 1,200 meters on turf has attracted nominations from across the globe. By far the best accomplished entrant is Australian star sprinter and multiple G1 winner Bivouac, trained by James Cummings for Godolphin, most recent winner of the G1 VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington in November. Other G1 winners in the field include Oleksandra, who made her debut in Australia before moving to the stables of American trainer Neil Drysdale, UK conditioner Roger Teal’s Oxted, who won the July Cup Stakes (G1), and South African trainer Corne Spies’ trainee Van Halen. Amongst the UAE brigade, G3 winners Down On Da Bayou and Lazuli are among the local luminaries nominated.

The three Group 2 events on the day, the $750,000 UAE Derby sponsored by Emirates NBD, $750,000 Godolphin Mile and $750,000 Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, have attracted strong global interest.

The UAE Derby, contested over 1,900 meters, draws in plenty of interest form the USA, with Steve Asmussen’s Jackie’s Warrior winner of the Hopeful Stakes (G1) and Champagne Stakes (G1), leading the charge. Other notable entries include Doug O’Neill-trained Hot Rod Charlie — second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile — and Bob Baffert’s well regarded G2 winner and G1-placed Spielberg and Medina Spirit.

UAE in-form company include Zhou Storm, winner in two of three starts, Mnasek and Soft Whisper. The UAE remains the most successful country in this race, with Saeed bin Suroor garnering all eight wins, his most recent with two-time Dubai World Cup-winner Thunder Snow in 2017.

Nominations for the 1,600-meter, Group 2, $750,000 Godolphin Mile are highlighted by Hong Kong star Elusive State, multiple G2 winning Mr Freeze, the Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland in October his most recent victory, under the watch of American conditioner Dale Romans. Fawzi Nass’ Port Lions, who finished fourth in the Bahrain International Trophy, is another international winner to watch out for. With 16 wins, the UAE remains the dominating force in this race. Frankie Dettori’s seven wins is a record in the Mile.

The Dubai Gold Cup, contested over a challenging 3,200 meters on turf and won in 2019 by 2018 Melbourne Cup Champion Cross Counter, sees nominations from multiple Melbourne Cup-placed Prince of Arran, the returning Jamie Osborne-trainee Mekong, French G1 winner Call the Wind, most recently third in the Qatar Prix du Cadron (G1) at Longchamp, Mark Johnston’s G1 Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp winner Subjectivist and Andrew Balding’s G2 winner-Spanish Mission, whose most recent victory came in the Doncaster Cup Stakes (G2).

The first supplementary stage for all races on Dubai World Cup day will close on Wednesday, Feb. 10, when connections can nominate their horse for 0.1 percent of the prize money of their chosen race. The second supplementary stage is on Monday, March 8, when horses can be supplemented for 1 percent of the prize money. The third and final supplementary stage takes place on Sunday, March 21, when horses can be supplemented into the race for 10 percent of the prize money. Entry/declaration takes place Monday, March 22.

For further details regarding nominations, Dubai Racing Club’s International Racing Liaison Officer Stephanie Cooley can be contacted at: Stephanie.cooley@dubairacingclub.com All races are being contested and regulated in a standard fashion and results are being recorded in an official capacity. In line with the UAE Government regulations, Dubai Racing Club is following strict health and safety measures, including full sanitization, thermal screening of attendees and social distancing.