Under Maxime Guyon, who won this race in 2015 with Solow (Singspiel {Ire}), Facteur Cheval bided his time far back, midfield but in the clear, as Feb. 25 G2 Nakayama Kinen winner Matenro Sky (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) went to the early lead with three-time Group 1 heroine Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) a close second. The field was cluttered up early with Japanese hope and multiple Group 1 scorer Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) unlucky and in receipt of a rough trip.

Facteur Cheval tipped out into the lane, hooking up with diminutive Japanese Group 1 heroine Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), who commenced an even-wider run from even further back than the eventual winner. The two finished so close a photo was required to determine the gold medallist, who got there by a short head. Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), runner-up in this event last year, finished third. The final time for the 1800 metres was 1:45.91.

“It's just amazing, I have no words,” said trainer Jerome Reynier, a graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start program. “I see a horse here that has been prepared the best way possible by [work rider] Gregory [Davignon] and it's just amazing, I can't believe it.

“I said to Maxime I've never seen this horse go backwards at the finish, he is always going forward and giving his best. I had no doubts about the distance and Maxime has given him a perfect ride; he had Lord North to follow and he switched off during the race.

“He switched him to the outside and then waited long enough to save something for the end and that's just amazing. I am so happy for all my team.”

Reynier also said Facteur Cheval would likely stay in Dubai, where he has reportedly thrived, and would possibly train up to the Apr. 28 G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin in Hong Hong.

The Dubai Turf winner won the first four starts of his career in France in 2022 before finishing that year with his first group score in the G3 Prix Perth at Saint-Cloud. Although he failed to visit the winner's circle in 2023, he was never worse than third and placed in four consecutive Group 1 events. He was last seen finishing second in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot Oct. 21. The Dubai Turf victory marked the kickoff of his 2024 campaign.

With a fourth Dubai Turf not in the cards, Lord North appeared to exit his eighth-place finish well.

“He had a great spot, great cover,” said regular Dubai partner Frankie Dettori. “He travelled great into the straight, but he just didn't have the gears that he had in the past. We are all getting older, right?”

Pedigree Notes

Facteur Cheval is the first Group 1 winner for France's Ribchester, a resident of Darley's Haras du Logis, and one of nine black-type winners for the son of Iffraaj (GB) worldwide, which include two group winners in Australia. A four-time Group 1 winner himself between England and France, Ribchester also was third in the 2017 Dubai Turf. Facteur Cheval, one of 102 stakes winners out of a daughter of the late Shamardal, is a member of his sire's first crop.

The unraced Jawlaat, a Shadwell-consigned 18,000gns purchase in 2016 at Tattersalls February by McCracken Farms–breeder of Facteur Cheval–has a yearling colt by Sottsass (Fr). She is a half-sister to multiple group winner Tantheem (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) and hails from the same family as Shadwell's multiple Group 1 winner Tamayuz (GB) (Nayef).

Jawlaat was a third-generation Shadwell-bred whose fifth dam, Allegretta (GB) (Lombard {Ger}), produced both 2000 G1 2000 winner King's Best (Kingmambo) and the immortal Urban Sea (Miswaki). The latter–herself winner of the 1993 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe–is responsible for a breed-shaping dynasty, not least through her sons Galileo (Ire) and Sea The Stars (Ire).

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
DUBAI TURF SPONSORED BY DP WORLD-G1, AED5,000,000, Meydan, 3-30, 3yo/up, 9fT, 1:45.91, gd.
1–FACTEUR CHEVAL (IRE), 126, g, 5, by Ribchester (Ire)
                1st Dam: Jawlaat (Ire), by Shamardal
                2nd Dam: Riqa (GB), by Dubawi (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Thamarat (GB), by Anabaa
1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (145,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA;
€120,000 Ylg '20 ARDEAY). O-Team Valor International & Gary
Barber; B-McCracken Farms (IRE); T-Jerome Reynier; J-Maxime
Guyon. $2,900,000. Lifetime Record: GSW & MG1SP-Fr, G1SP-
Eng, 14-6-4-3, $3,748,163. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick
   Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Namur (Jpn), 121, m, 5, Harbinger (GB)–Sambre Et Meuse
(Jpn), by Daiwa Major (Jpn). O-Carrot Farm Co Ltd; B-Northern
Farm (JPN); T-Tomokazo Takano. $1,000,000.
3–Danon Beluga (Jpn), 126, h, 5, Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Coasted, by
Tizway. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (¥160,000,000 Wlg '19
JRHAJUL). O-Danox Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm (JPN); T-Noriyuki
Hori. $500,000.
Margins: SHD, 3/4, HF.
Also Ran: Measured Time (GB), Do Deuce (Jpn), Straight Arron, Calif (Ger), Lord North (Ire), Nashwa (GB), San Donato (Ire), Real World (Ire), Cairo (Ire), Voyage Bubble (Aus), Luxembourg (Ire), Matenro Sky (Jpn). Also Ran (DNF): Catnip.
Click for the ERA chart & video.

O-Team Valor International LLC and Gary Barber; B-McCracken Farms (Ire); T-Jerome Reynier.

Facteur Cheval just denies Namur in the Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World.

A French winner for Jerome Reynier and Maxime Guyon. pic.twitter.com/dC3Nw7VZSt

— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 30, 2024

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Meydan Racecourse is the centre of the racing universe Saturday, as it stages the 28th renewal of the G1 Dubai World Cup. The dozen horses that have been entered represent ownership interests from Japan, America, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and even Libya, putting the 'World' in World Cup.

Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) is back to defend the title he grabbed in 2023 and will attempt to join Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) as two-time World Cup winners. The 7-year-old has made a tremendous impression as one of the first horses to grace the Meydan dirt track each morning, his bright yellow tack announcing his arrival. The only difference between this year and last is that he is a known commodity this time around.

He was mugged on the wire by Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) in last month's G1 Saudi Cup, but Saturday's two-turn configuration in addition to the added distance could tip the scales in his favour. He will sit a trip worse than midfield and will come after them late beneath Yuga Kawada.

“The gate doesn't matter for him as he will race from behind anyway,” said trainer Noboru Takagi. “He has recovered well from the Saudi Cup and is in good form.”

Senor Buscador is the main American chance as he tries to become the first to complete the Saudi Cup/World Cup double. A hard-charging second in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational in January prior to his Saudi Cup surprise, the 6-year-old will also save his best for last and hope there is ample pace up ahead. Senor Buscador breaks from gate 10 with Junior Alvarado back in the saddle.

“Very happy,” said owner Joe Peacock Jnr after Wednesday's barrier draw. “We wanted outside and we got outside.”

Kazakh-owned Kabirkhan is the spitting image of his sire California Chrome, who won this in 2016, and has been the story in world horse racing in 2024. Eight for nine at home and subsequently in Russia, the $12,000 Keeneland September yearling dominated his rivals in two starts at the Carnival, including the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Jan. 26.

“He's got to step it up, but we think he can,” said trainer Doug Watson. “He has shown that he likes the track. He stays the trip, but he has the pace to keep him competitive in the race early and hopefully he can finish it off.”

Last year's G2 UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake (Jpn), a son of dual G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen hero Mind Your Biscuits, was runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic off a five-month absence, but got a World Cup tightener when a sound fifth in the Saudi Cup. Look for him to be positively ridden by Christophe Lemaire and in position to get the first crack at them when push comes to shove.

Two sons of the mighty Into Mischief line up for the World Cup. GI Santa Anita H. winner Newgate can give both trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Frankie Dettori their fifth World Cups, while towering last-out G3 Burj Nahaar (1600m) winner Laurel River will see how far he can carry his speed from gate 12 in this first go at the 2000 metres. –Alan Carasso

Stars Align For Dubai Sheema Classic

The $6-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic was undoubtedly one of the strongest races run on the international stage in 2023. Not only did it produce an outstanding winner in Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn})–later named the Longines World's Best Racehorse–but those who chased the Japanese champion home were a decorated bunch in their own right, including Juddmonte's G1 Irish Derby winner Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Shadwell's Mostahdaf (GB) (Frankel), who later won the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. and G1 Juddmonte International back on home soil.

Among those finished down the field were the 2022 hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Godolphin's 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), both of whom are back for more on Saturday. However, if their connections were hoping for a soft touch this year, then they're likely to be disappointed as the Dubai Sheema Classic has once again brought together a collection of the finest thoroughbreds on the planet, featuring no fewer than 10 individual top-level winners.

Hideaki Fujiwara's Shahryar is one of four Japanese-trained runners in the field, with the others including last year's Triple Tiara heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who was last seen filling the runner-up spot behind Equinox in the G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo in November. Like Shahryar, Liberty Island sports the familiar colours of Sunday Racing Co. Ltd., the ownership group which memorably won this race with Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact) in 2014.

Japanese champion jockey Yuga Kawada, who takes the mount on Liberty Island, said of Mitsumasa Nakauchida's filly, “This is her first time travelling internationally and all has gone well so far. It is an honour to represent Japan with a filly like her and I hope she can show fans all over the world just how good she is.”

Stars On Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) complete the Japanese contingent as they return after finishing second and fourth, respectively, behind G1 Dubai Turf contender Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama in December. Stars On Earth had previously won the first two legs of the Triple Tiara in 2022 and finished just a length behind Liberty Island when third in the latest running of the Japan Cup, while Justin Palace gained the sole Group 1 success of his career thus far when winning the Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto last April.

“We believe that the flat track at Meydan will suit him,” said Justin Palace's trainer Haruki Sugiyama. “Hopefully, this might be the first step on a journey around the world this year.”

Rebel's Romance is as well travelled as any horse in the field and he had three runners from the Far East immediately behind him when winning last month's $2.5-million G3 H.H. The Amir Trophy in Qatar.

However, perhaps the biggest threat to the Japanese team in this contest is the horse who claimed Rebel's Romance's Breeders' Cup Turf crown at Santa Anita in November, namely Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the blue-blooded colt from Ballydoyle who also won the G1 Derby, G1 Irish Derby and G1 Irish Champion S. in an exceptional three-year-old campaign. Incidentally, this will be the first time that two winners of the Breeders' Cup Turf have clashed since Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Talismanic (GB) (Medaglia d'Oro) both ran in the G1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in 2017.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said of Auguste Rodin, “We feel he has matured well from three to four and it goes without saying that we are very excited to get him going again. The horse did all his own talking on the track last year, but we really do think that he is a very important horse for the thoroughbred breed. It is a huge thrill to have him back and we can't wait to see him race.”

Andre Fabre's Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}) won the latest edition of the Hong Kong Vase in December and is better judged on that form having been beaten at short odds in a conditions event on the all-weather at Chantilly last time, while British raiders Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) both merit consideration, too.

G2 Bahrain International Trophy and G2 Neom Turf Cup winner Spirit Dancer has race fitness on his side following a productive winter in the Middle East for Richard Fahey and owner/breeder Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager. Emily Upjohn, on the other hand, has an eight-month absence to contend with, but she's in good hands with John and Thady Gosden and her class isn't in question if she returns in the same sort of form she was in when winning last year's G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom.

The first two from the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten last August, Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and Sisfahan (Fr) (Isfahan {Ger}), complete the field together with Auguste Rodin's stablemate Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Former Stephane Wattel trainee Simca Mille is now based in Qatar with Alban de Mieulle and was last seen finishing sixth in the H.H. The Amir Trophy where Point Lonsdale was last of the 11 runners. –Adam Houghton

Shahryar | Horsephotos

Lord North Goes for Historic Four-Peat, but Plenty of Obstacles in His Path

Remarkably, the three-time defending winner of the $5-million G1 Dubai Turf–the venerable Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})–is not the sole story going in to the 1800-metre event this year. In a testament to the quality attracted by this race and Dubai's World Cup card overall, the John and Thady Gosden trainee is one of several who will fetch the attention of punters the world over in the Turf. The 8-year-old bay gelding has annually made the trip to Dubai, enjoyed the spoils of the desert, and returned to England with mixed results back home. Between his 2021 and 2022 Turf wins, Lord North had only one start–a runner-up finish in the G3 Winter Derby over Lingfield's all-weather surface, a pattern he has repeated to the letter coming in to Saturday's race: a 2023 Dubai Turf win and a second in the Feb. 24 Winter Derby, this time at Southwell. A win in any race four years running is nearly unheard of; if Lord North is able to do it in this storied Group 1 event, he will surely go down in racing's annuls as a legend. His usual Meydan partner Frankie Dettori will be aboard.

“After his win in the race last year we decided to give him a proper break, so he went to Godolphin and had a lovely time in a paddock,” said John Gosden. “He's training well and we're confident he'll put up a very bold show.”

However, Lord North does not have an easy task, starting with his own barn. Three-time Group 1 winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) has given her own gender all they could handle and has switched to facing the boys, where she held her own against the likes of superstar Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), in her last three starts to close out 2023. She gets a five-pound break in the weights here.

Japanese horses, so often in starring roles internationally over the last few years, will be tough here, led by last-out G1 Arima Kinen Grand Prix victor Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi thinks enough of his charge–who defeated the aforementioned Equinox in the G1 Japanese Derby two years back–that they tackled the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2022 only to run into soft ground, a handicap that won't be a risk in Dubai.

Charlie Appleby sends five-for-six Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a half-brother to Breeders' Cup winner Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who has been part of his Meydan string over the winter and flourished with wins over this surface including the G1 Jebel Hatta Jan. 26, while American conditioner Michael Stidham has shipped over last-out GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational third Catnip (Kitten's Joy), a longshot here who has caught the eye during morning training. Hong Kong is also well represented with two-back G1 Stewards' Cup winner Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), a Sha Tin specialist who has honed his talent against the best in that locality. –Jill Williams

Sibelius Follows Tried And True Path To Shaheen

Jun Park and Delia Nash's Sibelius (Not This Time) has looked very much at home at Meydan this week, and the popular chestnut has charted the identical course into the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen as he did when sneaking through at the fence to score in 2023.

The chestnut went off form after returning home last summer, but it appears that it is at this time of the year that he comes good. Like last year, Sibelius won the GIII Mr. Prospector S. at Gulfstream Park in December and followed that up with a hard-fought and wide-trip victory in the Feb. 10 Pelican S. at Tampa Bay Downs. Ryan Moore has the call once again.

“If anything, I'm more confident coming in this year as we know he handles things here,” said trainer Jerry O'Dwyer. “We've tried to keep things like last year as much as possible.”

Remake (Jpn) is another of Saturday's entrants produced by a World Cup night-winning stallion, in this case the 2016 G2 UAE Derby scorer Lani. A homebred for the Maeda family's North Hills Farm, the chestnut was a slow-starting, but fast-finishing fifth in this last year and bounced back from a defeat at the hooves of Igniter (Jpn) (Espoir City {Jpn}) in the Listed JBC Sprint in November to take out last month's G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint with a fair bit of authority. Successful though they have been at this meeting and in Saudi, Japan has never gone home with the Golden Shaheen hardware.

American-based sprinters number five in this year's Golden Shaheen, and Run Classic (Runhappy) is in with longshot claims. A three-time winner from 11 starts for trainer Bret Calhoun, the $475,000 OBS March breezer was first-up for over nine months in the Feb. 24 Gulfstream Park Sprint and he produced a terrific late kick down the centre of the track to win in his first run for trainer Jose D'Angelo. Also representing the U.S. are Hopkins (Quality Road), a pacesetting fourth last year; and Nakatomi (Firing Line), third in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint before finishing a troubled third in the Pelican.

The local challenge includes G3 Al Shindagha Sprint romper Mouheeb (Flatter) and Leading Spirit (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who beat Freedom Fighter (Violence) in the G3 Mahab al Shimaal on Super Saturday. —Alan Carasso

Hong Kong's Spangle To Add Al Quoz To Haul?

Versatile sprinters are not a rare commodity in Hong Kong, and California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) is aiming to become the first winner of the $1.5-million 1200-metre G1 Al Quoz Sprint from that locality since Amber Sky (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) set a still-standing record of :56.21 when the Al Quoz Sprint was held over the minimum trip back in 2014.

Trained by Tony Cruz, the gelding proved triumphant in the G1 Hong Kong Mile back in 2022, and doubled his top-level tally with a one-length win in the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin earlier this month.

“I believe this horse is a sprinter-miler, I believe he can run the 1200 metres,” said Cruz of California Spangle, who will break from stall five. “We've been lucky at a mile many times, because that's where the big races are in Hong Kong, but I think with a strong pace he can do the 1200 metres here.”

American Hall of Famer Bill Mott will saddle four-time Grade I winner Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed), who is also cutting back in trip after a third in the 2024 GI Breeders' Cup Mile. A two-time winner of the GI Jaipur S. over this trip, the 7-year-old entire will be ridden by Luis Saez and leave from gate six in the 12-horse field.

No horse has ever won the Al Quoz twice, regardless of the distance, and the 2023 victor, Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), shocked the field at 33-1, with Sight Success (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) fourth. Now seven, the Shadwell gelding has been specially prepared with this race in mind and enters off a third-place finish in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort over 1400 metres on Jan. 26.

“This has been the aim all season and we have brought him on slowly with this in mind,” trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri said. “He surprised everyone last season and I think he has a good chance of repeating last year's success.”

A pair of 3-year-old fillies take on males and receive a 13-pound pull in the weights in Abdulla Al Mansoori's Frost At Dawn (Frosted), successful with a record-breaking effort in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint over 1000 metres on Super Saturday, and her Turf Sprint runner-up, Godolphin's Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}). The latter, who was second in the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. last July, won the G2 Blue Point Sprint, defeating Czechoslovakian Horse of the Year Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}), for trainer Charlie Appleby in January.

William Knight, who trains Frost At Dawn, said, “To go into a Group 1 with a real chance is quite exciting. Her win on Super Saturday was no fluke and that she broke the track record gives me a bit of confidence. Mickael [Barzalona] is going to ride her, which is great, as they obviously get on well.” –Heather Anderson

California Spangle | HKJC

Japan's Forever Young the Horse to Beat in UAE Derby

The lone GI Kentucky Derby prep race off U.S. shores worth 100 points to the winner–essentially guaranteeing a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May–the G2 UAE Derby has an overwhelming favorite this year in Susumu Fujita's Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}). All eyes will be on the undefeated Yoshito Yahagi trainee, who blew through three Japanese dirt starts by open daylight last fall before bursting onto the world stage with a dramatic last-stride head win over Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) in the G3 Saudi Derby on Feb. 24 in his sophomore debut. Yahagi indicated after the Saudi Derby that the Kentucky Derby was very much on the 2022 JRHA yearling sale graduate's dance card. On a race day loaded with top Japanese threats, Forever Young–on paper, anyway–looks to have the easiest assignment of his countrymen.

Forever Young will have to get by America's Pandagate (Arrogate), who shipped to Dubai after a blowout win against New York-breds Feb. 25 in Aqueduct's Gander S. The grey has turned heads this week as the spitting image of his sire, whose own performance in Dubai in 2017 remains the stuff of legends. Christophe Clement aims to become only the second U.S-based trainer to use a Meydan win for an American horse's launching pad to Kentucky following Brendan Walsh's victory with Plus Que Parfait (Point of Entry) in 2019.

Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn) from the Bhupat Seemar barn has to rank as the top local hope with a keen win in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas over this surface Jan. 26, while his stablemate Guns And Glory (Gun Runner) may not yet be as accomplished, but is in sharp form with a geared-down 12-length blowout Mar. 8 over this surface.

Earlier this week, Seemar called Guns And Glory “a bit of a playboy, [but] he is a very-high class horse.” He also said the two months since Mendelssohn Bay's last start has benefitted that runner.

“I think it was a very good decision to miss Super Saturday and come directly to the Derby. He has filled out and he looks different with a nice coat on him. He has got plenty of stamina in his pedigree. We don't know how good he is but we'll find out on Saturday.”

Aidan O'Brien looks to win the UAE Derby for the fourth time since 2012 and brings Irish Group 3 winner Henry Adams (Ire) (No Nay Never), who will be making his first start since October and will have his first go on the dirt.

“Henry Adams is a lovely, big, uncomplicated horse,” said O'Brien. “He's a No Nay Never horse so he could be interesting on the dirt. We will be guided by how he goes there in Dubai as to what he does afterwards.”

O'Brien will also saddle Navy Seal (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). –Jill Williams

Saudi Crown Clashes with Isolate in Godolphin Mile

A pair of 2024 G1 Saudi Cup runners will lock horns once again in the $1-million G2 Godolphin Mile to kickstart the Thoroughbred action at Meydan on Saturday. FMQ Stables' Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), just got caught in the final few jumps when third after setting the pace in that February affair over 1800 metres in Riyadh, and will be cutting back to the metric mile for the first time since running second in the GIII Dwyer S. in July of 2023. He leaves from stall nine and Florent Geroux is at the controls.

“He's doing very well, he arrived on Feb. 26, settled in, and he's had three works over the track,” said trainer Brad Cox of the grey. “He ran well [in Saudi], but I love the way he's bounced out of it and he continues to improve.”

Defending champion and G2 Al Maktoum Mile winner Isolate (Mark Valeski) is one of five 2023 winners returning to attempt and retain their DWC crowns, and UAE multiple champion trainer Doug Watson has the 6-year-old primed for this assignment. Sixth in the Saudi Cup to G1 Dubai World Cup entrant Senor Buscador (Mineshaft), he is paired with Luis Saez and they will leave from gate 11.

“He came off the track on his hind legs this morning, so we were all excited about that,” said Watson. “The draw isn't great but Saudi Crown is stall nine and they're the true speed in the race. The others might try to go but I think from out there it will be those two vying for the lead. He's in great form and he loves this track.”

Rabbah Racing's Swing Vote (GB) (Shamardal), who landed the G3 Jebel Ali Mile on Feb. 10, is booked in gate five. The gelding turned in a strong piece of work on Tuesday, and was last seen running fifth to Laurel River (Into Mischief) and Qareeb (Speightstown) in the G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday.

“He's doing well. He looked great on the track and Ross [Atkinson, work rider] was very happy with him,” said co-trainer Ed Crisford. “That should put him spot on for Saturday.”

–Heather Anderson

Saudi Crown | Dubai Racing Club/Liesl King

Riyadh Rematch In Dubai Gold Cup

The $1-million G2 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors is the first of four races run on the turf track on World Cup night and it features a rematch between the three horses who dominated last month's G3 Red Sea Turf H. in Riyadh.

Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was the narrow victor on that occasion, staying on strongly under a never-say-die ride from Ryan Moore to beat Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) by a head, with Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire})–who was conceding weight to that pair–not far behind in third. The British-based trainers of the placed horses, Ian Williams and Marco Botti, respectively, will be optimistic of reversing the form with the winner, though the four-year-old Tower Of London remains relatively unexposed at the 3200-metre distance and could have more to offer for Aidan O'Brien.

Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}), who took the scalp of O'Brien's star stayer Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when winning the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October, is another leading contender from Britain for John and Thady Gosden. He carries the first colours of Godolphin, with the white cap being sported by Charlie Appleby's Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), last year's runner-up who won the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy for the second year in succession on his most recent outing.

The Andrew Balding-trained Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) finished down the field behind Trawlerman when making his final start of last season in the Long Distance Cup, but he'd been a model of consistency prior to that with wins in the G3 Sagaro S. and G2 Lonsdale Cup–plus a runner-up finish in the G1 Gold Cup–to show for his efforts. A below-par seventh in the Gold Cup was Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), but he bounced back later in the campaign when landing the G1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh, his second Classic success having also won the English equivalent in 2022.

Further international interest is provided by three runners from France and two from Japan. Multiple Group 2 winner Sober (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) leads a two-pronged attack for Andre Fabre, while Japanese raider Libyan Glass (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) represents the Yoshito Yahagi stable that won this race with Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in 2022. –Adam Houghton

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Successful in the G3 Killavullan S. in 2022 for the Coolmore partners and trainer Aidan O'Brien, the bay was second in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas to Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) last May. He kick-started his 4-year-old campaign in his 10th lifetime start with a close runner-up effort in the $500,000 Listed Irish Marketing Cup in Doha, Qatar, in February. The son of listed winner Cuff (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and great grandson of blue hen producer Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}) is pointing to the 1800-metre G1 Dubai Turf on Mar. 30.

“Cairo ran very well on his first start of 2024 in Doha last month and it's intended that he represent his new owner Mr Refai Alghuraban and his family in the Dubai Turf at Meydan on World Cup night,” McStay said. “Cairo is an extremely well-bred horse who has some excellent form, particularly his run behind Paddington (GB) in the Irish 2000 Guineas last season. As always, it's a very strong renewal of the Dubai Turf, but we're very hopeful for a big run in his new owner's colours. Mr Alghuraban is a leading owner in the gulf region.”

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“We think he is where he was this time last year before the Winter Derby–working slightly better than the year before, when he was second to Alenquer,” Havlin said. “Lord North is an eight-year-old now and takes a bit of getting fit, but he seems to be bright in himself. From a fitness perspective, he will improve as he always needs this first run to get all the lights switched on, but he is the class act and we are expecting a big run.”

“He is quite an uncomplicated horse, as he relaxes into a race and it is up to you when to press the button. His optimum trip is probably nine furlongs given his record in the Dubai Turf, but he has run well over a mile and a half at the Breeders' Cup.”

While Godolphin's Listed Lingfield Derby Trial winner Military Order (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) failed to go on after that promising performance last May, the now-gelded full-brother to Adayar (Ire) showed form strong enough to be a major player here when second in the course-and-distance Winter Derby Trial Conditions S. in January. Possibly more attuned to the greater stamina test than Lord North, he represents a worthy rival alongside Prince Faisal's long-absent Eydon (Ire) (Olden Times {GB}) who is seen for the first time since finishing fourth in the 2022 G1 2000 Guineas.

“Military Order has definitely come forward since his last start,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “He ticks a couple of boxes in that he has run well already this year over the track and trip. He should be a big player based on the pick of his three-year-old form and what he achieved in the trial.”

Ted Voute, racing manager to Prince Faisal, said of Eydon, “Andrew [Balding] has been pleased with him and was pleased with his gallop at Kempton. It's a pretty even field and they are all rated around the same figures apart from Lord North and we will see.”

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“She ran a huge race in the Oaks when just beaten there and had a nice swansong (at Ascot) at the end of last year,” Thady Gosden told Racing TV's Luck On Sunday. “She was heading towards Dubai but with the cold weather in the spring, it didn't quite work out. Obviously she would have been taking on Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) which would have been an interesting one. The Coronation Cup would be a nice early one to start with if she's ready in time, but we'll see how she is and she'll tell us.”

Another star filly from the Gosden string staying in training as a 4-year-old is G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois winner Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who could head to Newbury on May 20 for the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S., with all the top mile races on her radar this term.

“She's wintered well and is in good order, enjoying her training and looks great,” continued Gosden. “She is obviously a top-class miler and all these mile races will be the ones for her. She is certainly an independently minded filly. She has plenty of character but is exceptionally talented.”

A return to Royal Ascot could be on the cards for three-time G1 Dubai Turf winner Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The 7-year-old could bid to repeat his G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes success of 2020 when running on home soil this summer.

“He had a slightly curtailed one last year and it was fantastic to get him back for the Dubai Turf–it was a good team effort there,” Gosden said. “He won the Prince of Wales's Stakes two years ago and he is a horse you could look towards that with.”

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When the G1 Dubai World Cup was introduced at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse back in 1996, its $4 million in prize-money equaled that on offer for that year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic and an American clean sweep of the top three placings–won by the legendary Cigar after an unforgettable final-furlong battle with compatriot Soul of the Matter–really and truly put the race on the map.

The locally owned Halling, one of four in the race for a trainer named Saeed bin Suroor and ridden by a certain Lanfranco Dettori, was meant to play the role of spoiler, this time on his home 'turf' after being beaten comprehensively–despite the stogie-crushing theatrics on American television of the late John McCririck–in the Classic at Belmont Park some five months prior.

Perhaps since forgotten is the fact that Japan was among the nations represented in that first World Cup by a horse called Lively Mount (Jpn), a paternal grandson of Lyphard and a three-time stakes winner on the dirt at home, including the 1995 February S. He finished a distant sixth that Wednesday evening in the desert and was never the same.

It isn't that Japan does not already own a World Cup trophy. Mirco Demuro had lots to do with that when putting arguably the greatest steer in World Cup history on Victoire Pisa (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) over the old Tapeta track at Meydan in 2011, accounting for countrymate Transcend (Jpn) (Wild Rush) just 20 days after a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami caused unimaginable death and destruction. Still, the nation craves a victory in this race perhaps more than any other not named the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the table appears set for such a celebration this weekend.

As the wondrous and sprawling Meydan Racecourse gets set to host its 13th World Cup–the 27th renewal overall owing to the 11th-hour COVID cancellation in 2020–yes, some things are a bit different. The World Cup prize-money has now trebled from its inaugural running, American horses are outnumbered by a count of eight-to-one by their Japanese counterparts this weekend and bin Suroor–by a desert the winningest trainer in the history of the World Cup with nine–hasn't a single entrant in the big race.

Diabolical Draws For Chief Protagonists

Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is one of a remarkable seven returning winners from last year's World Cup programme, having dead-heated with Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Turf. But he tries the grand prize this time around for the always-enterprising Yoshito Yahagi and earned his World Cup ticket with a front-running defeat of the reopposing Country Grammer (Tonalist) not far from here at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh four weeks ago.

It was never going to be a straight-forward task to begin with, but things got dicier when he drew 15 of 15 Wednesday. The strategy is clear–jump and run, pedal to the metal, you choose–but the margin for error is razor thin.

“Even if he misses the break, we have one tactic and that is to roll forward,” said Yahagi. “We considered going towards the Dubai Turf again but, given his win in Saudi Arabia, we thought why not have a go at the Dubai World Cup. He deserves his chance.”

With wins literally all over the world, some against all odds, it would be folly to doubt a guy as masterful as Yahagi has been, but that isn't stopping 14 others from trying. Country Grammer looked off the bridle in the Saudi Cup, similar to the way he did in this race last year before grinding it out, and he was gaining on Panthalassa last time, but the wire came a few strides too soon.

The 6-year-old is the final World Cup ride for Dettori, whose win last year was his record-equaling fourth, but first since Electrocutionist (Red Ransom) in 2006. He is taking nothing for granted, but neither would he change places with anyone.

“One thing for sure with Country Grammer is that he's all about leaving everything on the track. You know he's going to run until the end so I couldn't ask for a better companion,” the Italian said. “It's not going to be easy and stall 14 is not ideal. I spoke to [part-owner] Amr Zedan last night and just said that it is what it is. We can't change it now so let's get on with it and see how the race unfolds.”

Back for a second crack at World Cup night glory is 2022 G2 UAE Derby hero Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), who once again has the services of Damian Lane, but others of the Japanese contingent are already proven at the Group 1 level. Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah), a very good third in Saudi, is a two-time winner of the February S., while between them, T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) and  Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) have won the last two runnings of the Champions Cup. Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn}), slashing winner of the G1 Japan Cup, and Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong), last year's G1 Satsuki Sho victor and fourth in the Saudi Cup when trying the dirt for the first time, earned their stripes on the turf and can't be discounted.

Given the domination he displayed in the first two rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge series, Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) is a serious contender for Simon and Ed Crisford, even if he is also drawn awkwardly in barrier 13.

“The horse has transformed for racing on this surface,” said the elder Crisford, a longtime advisor to Sheikh Mohammed and his team before branching out. “He was a rock-solid horse on turf but since he's been running on the Meydan dirt, which really plays to his strengths, he's stepped up to another level. He's the best local horse in the race and if he can run the same sort of race as he's done in the lead-ups, he'll be right in the mix.”

Crisford was also part of a quasi-steering committee that led to the creation of the World Cup and the 2023 iteration embodies his comments.

“The winners of this race have been the best horses in the world and I think what the race set out to achieve has been achieved in absolute international spades,” he said.

Country Grammer | Dubai Racing Club

Appleby Puts Faith In Romance

Charlie Appleby has nominated $6-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic hope Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) as the horse he is most looking forward to running on Dubai World Cup Night.

Japanese Horse of the Year Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) may be a short-priced favourite for the race but Appleby, who runs six horses in total on World Cup Night at Meydan, holds no fears with Rebel's Romance.

He said of the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf victor, “Rebel's Romance is the one I am most looking forward to. He is unbeaten in five starts over a mile and a half on turf, three of those at Group 1 level, including a Breeders' Cup. You can't really ask for much more than that.”

The Dubawi gelding already has a victory at this meeting on his record–successful in the UAE Derby in 2021–and hopes are clearly high for another with the trainer undeterred by Rebel's Romance missing his intended start on Super Saturday owing to a minor inflammation.

“Ideally, he would have had a race start leading into the big night, but he did a racecourse gallop 10 days ago and we were delighted with that,” he said.

“It's a race of real strength in depth with formlines all over the world coming together, but he's a terrific horse who has done nothing but improve as he has got older.”

Fellow Godolphin standardbearer Botanik (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) offers some international form lines, as the gelding was only 1 1/2 lengths second to Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in Sha Tin's G1 Hong Kong Vase over this trip in December for trainer Andre Fabre. He exits a third-place run in a Chantilly synthetic affair on Mar. 4 and is likely to improve.

The Sheema Classic also sees last year's victor Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) defend his title for Sunday Racing and Hideaki Fujiwara from stall seven under Cristian Demuro. Although winless in three starts since his desert triumph, he has faced both Ascot and the intense crucible of the JRA circuit, and was second to Dubai World Cup entrant Vela Azul in the G1 Japan Cup in November. No horse has yet managed to claim more than one Sheema in the history of the race.

Juddmonte's G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) makes his 4-year-old bow for Ralph Beckett after finishing midfield in the Arc from gate one and Ryan Moore has the call. Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), one of the most visually impressive winners on the Saudi Cup card when romping by seven lengths in the G3 Neom Turf Cup in February, exits post eight for Shadwell and the Gosdens and Jim Crowley is at the controls.

Rebel's Romance | Coady Photography

Can Lord North Make Further History?

In dead-heating with Panthalassa in last year's G1 Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World, Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) became the first horse to clinch back-to-back runnings of the race.

John and Thady Gosden's charge will bid for a record-extending third win in the 1800-metre $5-million race on Saturday and the gelding is reported to be in rude health ahead of the assignment.

“The horses seem happy and well and the humidity has dropped, which is very important,” said the elder Gosden. “When I arrived at the airport at midnight it was steaming like a sauna, but the humidity has dropped off which is great. They've had a nice routine canter on this excellent training track and all three of our horses seem happy.”

A trio of Godolphin runners will do their best to derail the Gosdens and Frankie Dettori, who is seeking to extend his record for the most wins in the race from three to four, his first coming with Tamayaz (Gone West) back in 1997. In the vanguard is Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a three-time group winner, who was second in both the G1 Lockinge S. and G1 Queen Anne S. last term. He was only 10th to Shadwell's Alfareeq (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday.

G1 Racing Company's Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) could spoil Lord North's party, after taking the G2 Fuji S. and G1 Mile Championship in successive starts in the autumn.

Strength In Numbers For US In Golden Shaheen

American-based horses have a better-than 50% strike rate (14-26) in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored By Nakheel and field five of Saturday's 14 runners.

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Gunite (Gun Runner), whose sire was responsible for the topper at Tuesday's Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale, is the most accomplished of the group, having landed the GI Hopeful S. as a 2-year-old in 2021 before adding last term's age-restricted GII Amsterdam S. Fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in November, he resumed with a sharp success in the Listed King Cotton S. and exits a runner-up effort to US champion sprinter Elite Power (Curlin) in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Saudi Cup day.

“He's doing really well since arriving from Saudi Arabia,” said Amanda Olds, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. “He's quieted down and the track plays a little faster than Saudi Arabia which he seems to really enjoy.”

Switzerland (Speightstown) made history as the oldest winner of this event at eight last year and looks to become the third horse to put them back-to-back, joining Caller One and Mind Your Biscuits. A Grade III winner in the States after transferring from Chad Brown to Asmussen in 2018, he has won his only 9-year-old start, the G3 Dubawi S. on opening night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival Jan. 6. for trainer Bhupat Seemar. His is one of two former Brown inmates in the Shaheen, alongside recent G3 Mahab al Shimaal winner Sound Money (Flatter).

“He's moving like a gazelle out there,” said his top local jockey Tadhg O'Shea. “He is coming into this race equally as good as he went into last year.”

The pace looks very much on Saturday, and providing that a leaders' bias does not materialize, that could help set things up for a stormer. Japan has four chances to win the Golden Shaheen for the first time, the sneakiest of which may be Remake (Jpn), whose enigmatic sire Lani won the UAE Derby here in 2016. The Maeda family homebred was an eyecatching winner of Nakayama's G3 Capella S. on Dec. 11, producing a final 600-metre clocking of an exceptionally strong and race-fastest :35.1. He was third last time in the Riyadh Sprint, two lengths in back of Gunite, over a surface that may not have completely suited his style on the day. Red le Zele (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is no stranger to this race, having finished second the last two years and he was last seen closing off nicely to fill the same spot behind Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) in the G1 February S. over a mile Feb. 19. The latter fits on figures, but Saturday's trip is acknowledged to be a legitimate question mark, even by his own connections. The Golden Shaheen is the only World Cup night event yet to be won by the hosts.

All Hail The King In The Al Quoz?

The 1200-metre $1.5-million G1 Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by AZIZI Developments looms one of the most wide-open races of the nine-race card on Saturday, and Godolphin's Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is top of the heap on ratings.

Although the Charlie Appleby charge ran third in the 1800-metre G1 Jebel Hatta back in 2021, he has yet to take a top-level race outright. In his favour is his penchant for the Meydan sod, and, leaving from stall two under William Buick, he is sitting pretty after back-to-back wins in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort on Jan. 6 and in a conditions race on Super Saturday. The only question mark is the distance, as, although he has won at seven furlongs and a mile, he has yet to grace the winner's circle at six furlongs.

As chronicled here in Friday's TDN, trainer George Boughey is looking for a big run out of his 3-year-old Al Dasim (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}), who enters the race riding a five-race winning streak. His latest win was a 2 1/4-length drubbing of Miqyaas (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint on Mar. 4. The only 3-year-old signed on, Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah's chestnut will be ridden by Mickael Barzalona from stall eight.

“He has obviously adapted very well here throughout the winter,” Boughey said. “It was nice to get a good draw with the pace seemingly on the right side so he's in great shape.”

Practically every major racing nation is represented in the Al Quoz, and the McMurray Family's Happy Romance (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) is aiming to improve from a fourth in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint in the wake of G2 Godolphin Mile starter Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in Riyadh on Saudi Cup Day and take her first Group 1 sprint. Second fiddle to A Case Of You (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}) in the 2022 edition, the 5-year-old mare drew the dreaded one post.

North America's GII Nearctic S. hero and 'TDN Rising Star' Cazadero (Street Sense), who races for Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel, Fergus Galvin and Bary Clohessy, is aiming to bounce back after trailing in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in November and leaves from stall three. Australian lone World Cup night challenger The Astrologist (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) is booked for gate six and will attempt to become the second top-flight winner for his sire in the Northern Hemisphere. He took the G3 Gold Rush S. sprinting over seven furlongs down under in December and was sixth two starts later in the G1 Newmarket H. on Mar. 11. Damian Lane retains the ride for trainer Troy Corstens.

Fresh Water At A Premium In UAE Derby

Typical of almost every Thoroughbred race on Dubai World Cup night, the Japanese have a strong presence in the 1900-metre $1.5-million G2 UAE Derby Sponsored By Atlantis The Royal on Saturday with five entered. The best of Japan will test their mettle against rivals who have already proved themselves over the Meydan dirt, and new shooters from farther afield. The race is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, with a points breakdown of 100-40-30-20-10 to the top five finishers.

Yuji Hasegawa's Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) has won three of his four starts for trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa, including the Listed Hyacinth S. at Tokyo, a GI Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 30 points to the winner. His only blip was a third to Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) in a fellow points race in Japan–the Listed Zennippon Nisai Yushun (20-8-6-4-2), held in mid-December. Hiroyuki Asanuma owns the latter, who earned a group placing in the G3 Saudi Derby going a mile on the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup undercard at the end of February.

“The horse is in extremely good condition,” said Derma Sotogake's pilot Christophe Lemaire who rode him on Wednesday morning. “He ran very well in third last time. He will be competitive.”

A third Japanese starter, the Lion Race Horse Co., Ltd.-owned Continuar (Jpn) (Drefong) could become his sire's second Classic winner after Geoglyph (Jpn)'s tally in the 2022 G1 Japanese 2000 Guineas. He, too, claimed a points contest, making his mark in the first qualifier of the year, the Cattleya S. (10-4-3-2-1) at Tokyo on Nov. 26. G1 Hopeful S. hero Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) represents Three H Racing Co. Ltd., but he's been off since that top-tier score in late December.

Perriere, Derma Sotogake and Continuar aren't the only horses already sporting qualifying points for the Run for the Roses, as the Coolmore partners' Cairo (Quality Road) triumphed in the Listed Patton S. (20-8-6-4-2) over the Dundalk all-weather on Mar. 3. The G3 Killavullan S. went his way at Leopardstown in October, and his trainer Aidan O'Brien has already saddled three winners of the event, the latest being Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) in 2018. Ryan Moore again as the call, and the Englishman will be aiming for a hat trick from stall five in the 13-horse field.

Speaking of that Coolmore sire, Mendelssohn's Ah Jeez ran away and hid from his foes in a conditions stakes over seven furlongs here in late February for Doug O'Neill, who is also responsible for Calumet Farm's G3 UAE 2000 Guineas hero Tall Boy (Lookin At Lucky). The duo will leave from gates four and 10, respectively. While fellow American Bob Baffert sends out the Avengers' GIII Robert B. Lewis S. third Worcester (Empire Maker).

Victorious's Go Soldier Go (Tapiture) sports a victory over Mr Raj (Bolt d'Oro) when branding his name on the Listed Al Bastakiya honour roll over this course and distance on Super Saturday for Fawzi Nass.

Perriere | Horsephotos

Bathrat Leon Back To Dirt In Godolphin Mile

Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) is one of the aforementioned seven winners from last year, having caused a front-running surprise over Desert Wisdom (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Godolphin Mile Sponsored By One Zaabeel, and looks to repeat the dose here for Ryusei Sakai and Yahagi.

A pacesetting fourth, beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Sussex S. and subsequently unplaced in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, he was a close third–one spot behind future G1 February S. winner and G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen entrant Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid)–in the G3 Musashino S. over 1400 metres at Tokyo in November. A competitive fourth in the G3 Hanshin Cup back on the turf the following month, he made all the running last time to win the G3 1351 Turf Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard last time.

“We saw last year how much he enjoyed the Meydan dirt and he has enjoyed it again since coming back,” Yahagi said. “I don't think the turf straight would suit as much as the turn on dirt, so that's why we are going for the Godolphin Mile again.

One of three entrants for Seemar, Discovery Island (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) has form through top World Cup chance Algiers, having finished closest to that rival in the G3 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 over the course and distance on Jan. 6. Slowly away in the G3 Firebreak S. three weeks hence over a rare rain-affected track, he never looked happy after a sluggish dispatch and was only sixth to Prince Eiji (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but atoned in no uncertain terms with a smart defeat of Raaeb (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and stablemate Royal Mews (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G3 Burj Nahaar S. on Super Saturday Mar. 4.

“Discovery Island is doing really well and he won impressively on Super Saturday,” said the reigning UAE Champion Trainer. “We just need him to get a good break. James Doyle knows him well and keeps the ride.”

The performance here of Isolate (Mark Valeski) could bring the Golden Shaheen into some focus, as the 5-year-old was second to Tuz (Oxbow) in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint Feb. 3 and behind Sound Money (Flatter) in the G3 Mahab al Shimaal on Super Saturday. He tries a mile for just the second time in his career. Leading US rider Tyler Gafflione gets a leg up from perennial leading trainer Doug Watson.

Subjectivist Going for Gold Again

Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) last came to Meydan when sandwiching his G2 Dubai Gold Cup win between Group 1 strikes in the Prix Royal-Oak and Ascot Gold Cup. But that was two years ago and, following Royal Ascot, he wasn't seen on the track again for 618 days, when pulling hard and finishing down the field in the G3 Red Sea Turf H. in Riyadh on Feb. 25. He is clearly the best in the field on ratings, and if returning to anywhere near the level of form of his 2021 season he would be hard to beat.

Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Ardakan (GB) (Reliable Man {GB}) and Al Nayyir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) took the top three spots in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy and offer solid recent form, while Global Storm (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) posted a highly impressive victory on his Super Saturday comeback in the G2 Dubai City of Gold.

While the Marco Botti-trained Ardakan has been in Dubai all winter under the care of the trainer's wife Lucie, a recent arrival in Dubai from their Newmarket stable is Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), a young stayer with an interesting profile, who was third in the G1 St Leger and narrowly beaten over that same trip when last seen in listed company at Ascot. He looks tailor-made to step up again in distance.

Giavellotto's conqueror at Ascot, Al Habeeb (Ire) (Al Rifai {Ire}), is another to keep an eye on in the Cup races this season.

Also of note is Enemy (Fr) (Muhaarar {GB}), for expert dual-purpose trainer Ian Williams. He was a good second in Riyadh after winning a 12-furlong race at Meydan in early January.

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“He's going,” Fernando said of the 2022 GI Maker's Mark Mile hero. “He's doing well with Roger Attfield down in Florida.”

The February S. is one of only two Group 1 races alongside the Champions Cup conducted on dirt by the Japanese Racing Association (JRA), but the competition is no less fierce, as illustrated by last year's Japanese Champion Dirt Horse, Café Pharoah (American Pharoah, who earned his year-end accolade partially by setting a new stakes record of 1:33.80 in the 2022 edition, his second consecutive victory in the event.

“It's a very complex thing to get to this race, because unlike other races that are usually international races that are invitational races, this is not an invitational,” he said. “We had to nominate, get accepted, etc. Then, Mr. Fipke's got to pay for everything to go there. It's a pretty expensive proposition too.”

The magnitude of the Fipke team's February S. attempt is not lost on Fernando, who said of Fipke's vision, “[It's] really two things–he's one of the few North American owners who are actually licensed to race in Japan. That's number one. Number two, he also breeds a few mares in Japan every year. He's got a good relationship with Northern Farm and Katsumi Yoshida. He's got a runner in Japan, as well, who last year won a couple of races–Kana Tape (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and he's an adventurer. He's a guy that is very interested in the international game. He's raced in South Africa before and bred in South Africa. He's a guy that's got horses in Australia, won races last year in Australia, races in Dubai. His entire career was built on a bunch of adventuring and discovering diamond mines. This all fits his sensibilities.

“And, on top of all of that, he'd like to also try to win a Grade 1 race on dirt with Shirl's Speight. With his Japanese contacts and everything, it's showcasing that horse over there as a potential stallion prospect, not that he plans on selling the horse or anything. For Japanese breeders, it's exposure.”

A versatile campaigner, the son of GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare shocker Perfect Shirl (Perfect Soul {Ire}) has not graced the racetrack since running a good second to likely Eclipse Champion Turf Male Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland in November. Shirl's Speight is already a graded winner on two surfaces, having won the GIII Marine S. over the Woodbine all-weather as a juvenile. The GIII Tampa Bay S. on turf went his way at four to go with his Maker's Mark heroics, and, most encouragingly, the 5-year-old did run third in the GIII Salvator Mile S. over the Monmouth main track last June.

A major feather in the Fipke camp's cap is their rider selection for the 2023 February S. None other than legendary Brazilian jockey Joao “Magic Man” Moreira, a four-time champion rider in Hong Kong, has signed on to ride the 5-year-old. Moreira booted home 76 winners from 217 starters in 2018, the year he rode predominantly in Japan.

Added Fernando, “We've booked the Magic Man, Joao Moreira to ride. He's got a [job] to ride in Australia two weeks before he goes to Japan with [Australian Champion Trainer Chris] Waller.”

Shirl's Speight's international engagements will not end in Japan either, as Fernando revealed that the 1800-metre G1 Dubai Turf on grass at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Mar. 25 would be next on the entire's dance card.

“The bigger plan, is that he's going to go there, then he's going to fly to Dubai for the 1800-metre Group 1 race on turf in Dubai on Dubai World Cup day,” said Fernando.

“It's a very complex logistical thing with quarantine, flights, etc.,” said Fernando. “I have to give a shout out to [Fipke's] administrative assistant Fawn Seminoff, who has really done an incredible job organizing all of the moving parts.”

Targets Set For Budding Stars

Fipke also has multiple opportunities to enjoy international action in 2023, besides his stable star. He enjoyed a winner over the Dundalk synthetic as recently as Wednesday evening when homebred Stormy Entry (Point Of Entry), a son of Fipke's GI Natalma S. bridesmaid Stormy Perfection (Tale of the Cat), won the seven-furlong nightcap. In addition, Irish listed heroine Spirit Gal (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who took Fipke to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland, will be prepared for a run in the G1 French 1000 Guineas in May.

“He's got horses in Europe–he just won a race last night in fact, at Dundalk, a Point Of Entry colt,” said Fernando. “And he's got a stakes-winning filly by Invincible Spirit (Ire), Spirit Gal (Fr), that's with Andre Fabre and is being prepared for the G1 French 1000 Guineas.”

Back in 2017, Fipke homebred, eventual GI Metropolitan H. victor and sire Bee Jersey (Jersey Town) ran second to subsequent dual G1 Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas. Fast forward to Dec. 23, 2022 and Bee Jersey colt Shirl's Bee graduated at first asking at Meydan. Trained by American ex-pat Doug Watson, the chestnut is aiming to go one better for his sire on Feb. 10.

Said Fernando, “He's got Shirl's Bee who won his debut really impressively there and is going next in the [G3] UAE 2000 Guineas.

For Fipke, 2023 will be a year dedicated to exploring the next frontier in the Thoroughbred world beginning with an exclusive visit to Japan.

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Yahagi told Tospo-Keiba, “He is rated 121, and a one-turn left-handed 1800 meters is the best condition for Panthalassa. I think it will be an interesting challenge.”

Since his Meydan victory, he was unplaced in June's G1 Takarazuka Kinen, but ran second in both the Aug. 21 G2 Sapporo Kinen and the Oct. 30 G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn). In his most recent start, Panthalassa was 10 in the G1 Hong Kong cup.

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WinStar is the co-owner of both horses.

Colonel Liam (Liam's Map), who finished ninth in the GI Dubai Turf, is also being sent to WinStar.

The heavy favorite in the wagering, Life Is Good, who is also owned by the China Horse Club, suffered just the second defeat in his career. He led for most of the way but weakened in the final sixteenth of a mile, which suggests that the mile-and-a-quarter distance was not to his liking. He finished fourth, beaten 2 1/4 lengths.

“I thought he ran well,” Walden said. “We were obviously disappointed that he didn't win, but it's not like he laid down and threw in the towel. He ran hard. I think the track was not quite to his liking. They ran a mile-and-a-quarter in 2:04.97. In the Shaheen sprint they went in 1:11 and change. Those horses should have gone in 1:09. The mile-and-a-quarter on this type of track was a big factor.”

Before the Dubai World Cup, the GI Metropolitan S. had been mentioned as a possible starting spot for Life Is Good, but Walden said it was too early to make any plans so far as his future racing schedule.

Closing relentlessly in the final furlong, Country Grammer, also owned by Zedan Racing, drew clear to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow). He is trained by Bob Baffert, the former trainer of Life Is Good.

“Country Grammer ran super,” Walden said. “We felt like that if Life is Good stubbed his toe he could be a horse that could win and that's what happened.”

Walden said that no races had been picked out as of yet for Country Grammer but listed the GI Pacific Classic as a possibility.

As for Hot Rod Charlie, trainer Doug O'Neill said some time off at a farm is also a possibility for the four-year-old.

“He came back in good shape and I can tell you that we have no idea where we are going with him,” O'Neill said. “He'll come back to my barn and then we will go over him and talk with the owners. He may get a couple weeks at a local farm to graze and get some sun on his back. He's earned it. I was elated with how well he ran. We were so optimistic going into the gate and then mid-race it looked like it wasn't going to be his day. Then turning for him, he came running down the inside and I got to the point where I thought he might win. It was a whirlwind of emotions.”

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Sparkling trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who was savoring his third win on the card, exclaimed, “We've had a lot of good luck today so we didn't think we'd lose! I've never known a wait like that in a photo finish.”

Then, the fast-finishing Vin De Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was declared a hard luck third despite being well in front just past the wire. His disappointed jockey Mickael Barzalona said, “My horse ran a very good race. We were unlucky.”

As the the eventual winning pair circled the walking ring with their connections anxiously awaiting the judge's decision, racing pundits marveled over whether they had ever witnessed a more exciting race in World Cup night history.

Under jockey Yutaka Yoshida, Panthalassa, a Group 2-winning entire in his native Japan who had never ventured outside of his homeland, bagged the early lead, set demanding fractions and gave his all while racing closest to the far side rail.

A pleased Yoshida said, “It was a very good run from my horse and he did all that I asked of him and only just managed to hold on at the end.”

Flanked on both sides by his Japanese-trained revivals, Lord North, a 6-year-old gelding who had broken the Meydan course record in last year's renewal when beating Vin De Garde by three lengths, benefited from regular rider Frankie Dettori's patience and a well-timed bid.

Awaiting the verdict, Dettori said, “I thought I was beaten on the line so I will settle for a dead-heat if it's available. He had half the year off, he almost died last year so to get him back performing at this level, it is a credit to the team.”

The winners stopped the timer in 1:45.77 besting Lord North's mark of 1:46.46 for the 1800-metre distance.

A poised John Gosden, co-trainer with his son Thady of defending champion Lord North, said, “That's a very fair result as we got ourselves in a bit of a Japanese sandwich there and those horses are so tough. They've been buying horses for the last 30 years or so and their investment is paying dividends, they've come here and knocked us for six–they've gone and won four races now.”

He continued, “I'm thrilled with our boy. He's been off for a year with a very nasty throat infection and we've managed to get him back in time.”

The 4-year-old Newmarket-based filly Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), ridden by Hollie Doyle, finished best of the rest, 3 1/2 lengths behind the winners. Her satisfied trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said, “She ran a great race. I'm really delighted. she's so tough and we'll have a lot of fun with her this year.”

If the race had a disappointment, it was the highly-regarded Japanese colt Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}), who crossed the line in eighth. His jockey Christophe Lemaire said, “He had a good trip in the middle. He didn't finish like I expected. He is better than that.”

The William Haggas-trained Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) cost himself his chance when sluggish to begin. He ended up 10th in the field of 14.

The 2004 renewal of the race, then known as the Dubai Duty Free and contested at Nad Al Sheba, finished in a dead-heat between Paolini (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) and Right Approach (GB) (Machiavellian).

Pedigree Notes

The five-year-old horse Panthalassa was sired by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), a world-class sprinter who won 13 of his 19 races and is best known as the sire of G1 Hong Kong Sprint winner Danon Smash (Jpn) and the redoubtable champion Almond Eye (Jpn), a multiple Group 1 winner in Japan and Dubai. His dam is Miss Pemberley (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who raced six times in Japan without winning. Five of her eight foals have won in Japan with Dimension (Jpn) and Etendard (Jpn), a pair of Deep Impact fillies, joining Panthalassa as Japanese black-type performers.

Lord North, a gelded son of Champion sire Dubawi, was bred by Godolphin in Ireland. Raced by HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing, his dam is Najoum (Giant's Causeway), a Kentucky-born Godolphin homebred, who won two of her four lifetime starts and showed promise as a 2-year-old winning a seven-furlong race on turf and an eight-furlong race on Polytrack. Najoum is a half-sister to GI Blue Grass S. winner and former Kentucky-based stallion Bandini (Fusaichi Pegasus). In addition to Lord North, Najoum has produced three other foals with the horse Chronicles (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), winner of a 10-furlong Irish maiden race as a 3-year-old, being her only other winner.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
DUBAI TURF SPONSORED BY DP WORLD-G1, $5,000,000, Meydan, 3-26, 3yo/up, 9fT, 1:45.77, gd.
(DH)-1–LORD NORTH (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Dubawi (Ire)
                1st Dam: Najoum, by Giant's Causeway
                2nd Dam: Divine Dixie, by Dixieland Band
                3rd Dam: Hail Atlantis, by Seattle Slew
O-HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing; B-Godolphin (IRE);
T-John Gosden; J-Frankie Dettori. $1,175,000. Lifetime Record:
G1SW-Eng,  15-8-4-1, $4,209,593. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
(DH)-1–PANTHALASSA  (JPN), 126, h, 5, by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Miss Pemberley (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Stitching (Ire), by High Estate (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Itching (Ire), by Thatching (Ire)
O-Hiroo Race Co Ltd; B-Pangloss Y K, Toshihiro Hirosaki et al
(JPN); T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Yutaka Yoshida. $1,175,000. Lifetime
Record: GSW-Jpn, 20-6-4-0, $2,888,474. *1/2 to Etendard
(Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), GSP-Jpn, $770,677; and Dimension
(Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), MGSP-Jpn, $1,030,766. Werk Nick
Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
3–Vin de Garde (Jpn), 126, h, 6, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Skia (Fr), by
Motivator (GB). O-Shadai Race Horse Co Ltd; B-Shadai Farm
(JPN); T-Hideaki Fujiwara. $500,000.
Margins: DHT, NO, 3HF.
Also Ran: Saffron Beach (Ire), Sir Busker (Ire), My Oberon (Ire), Alfareeq (Ire), Schnell Meister (Ger), Colonel Liam, Mohaafeth (Ire), Ursa Minor (Ire), Haqeeqy (Ire), Desert Fire (Ire), Harrovian (GB). Scratched: Finest Sound (Ire), Lord Glitters (Fr).
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree of Lord North or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree of Panthalassa.

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