Laurel River will miss chance for a Dubai World Cup repeat

Laurel River, winner of last year's Group 1 Dubai World Cup, will not seek a repeat victory this year.

In an X post by Dubai Racing Club, trainer Bhupat Seemar was quoted as saying the 7-year-old son of Into Mischief "is doing very good, but after his last gallop we realized that there will not be enough tie to get hi fit for a race of this calibre."

Seemar said owner-breeder Juddmonte "decided to give him the time and he can come back for the Saudi Cup (G1) and Dubai World Cup 2026."

Laurel River also missed this year's Saudi Cup because of a "small setback in training," Seemar said at the time.

Laurel River was trained by Bob Baffert from his only start as a 2-year-old through his 4-year-old campaign. He won four of seven starts, all in California, including the 2022 Pat O'Brien (G2).

He was moved to the barn of Dubai-based Seemar in 2023 and returned last year with a seventh-place finish in the Al Shindagha Sprint (G3) at Meydan. Then he won the Burj Nahaar (G3) before winning the $12 million Dubai World Cup by 8 1/2 lengths.

In his only start since, he returned in January to finish second by a head in the Firebreak (G3), also at Meydan.