Report: Aidan O'Brien horses to skip Dubai World Cup night
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien has decided not to take his contenders to Meydan for the lucrative March 28 Dubai World Cup night card.
Europe's Racing Post reported Thursday that O'Brien cited "concerns over international travel" amid the coronavirus pandemic.
O'Brien had a number of well-known contenders listed among likely contenders on the $35 million program:
• Magic Wand and Circus Maximus had spots in the $6 million Dubai Turf (G1).
• Anthony Van Dyck, Fleeting and Mount Everest were all probable for the $6 million Sheema Classic (G1).
• New World Tapestry was targeting the $2.5 million UAE Derby (G2).
• Sergei Prokofiev was set for the $2 million Al Quoz Sprint (G1).
• And O'Brien had Kew Gardens for the Dubai Gold Cup (G2).
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The Racing Post reported that Speak in Colours, the other Irish horse on the Meydan card trained by O'Brien's son, Joseph, also will not make the trip to Dubai.
While Irish horse racing will continue behind closed doors, the British Horseracing Authority has canceled races through at least April.
The Dubai World Cup card will be run with no paid spectators on site.
Probable fields are listed below: