The end of March always brings an exciting night of racing in Dubai, with some of the best horses around the world traveling to Meydan Racecourse for one of the richest racecards in the world headlined by the $12 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline. One hundred and sixteen horses are currently slated to run in the eight Thoroughbred races, with 16 U.S.-trained horses taking on a card where every race is worth at least $1 million.
Tag: Racing
Breeders’ Cup Winner Yibir Headlines International Cast For Dubai Sheema Classic
The Group 1 Longines Sheema Classic is often billed as one of the best races in the world and the 2022 edition is no exception. Won in 2021 by Saudi Cup hero Mishriff, the 1 1/2-mile contest has attracted seven Group or Grade 1 winners for this Saturday's edition.
Japan went close in this race last year with second and third home, subsequent Group 1 winners Chrono Genesis and Loves Only You, and this time they have a third of the field with five of the 15 runners.
Chief among them is G1 Japanese Derby winner Shahryar, who was last seen finishing third in the Japan Cup in Toyko in November. The land of the rising sun also pitches in Authority, winner of the G3 Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia last time out in which he conquered the re-opposing Kaspar and Pyledriver.
Authority is trained by Tetsuya Kimura, who is hopeful of another good result, saying: “In Riyadh, the horse took control at the beginning and it was a great ride by Christophe (Lemaire).
“This is tough compared to Saudi Arabia but I am honored to compete against so many trainers that I admire.”
Dual Hong Kong Vase winner Glory Vase thrives on international travel and represents a first Dubai runner for trainer Tomohito Ozeki, while the Japanese challenge is completed by Group 2 winner Stella Veloce, trained by Naosuke Sugai, and top-flight victor Uberleben, who will mark a maiden runner in Dubai for trainer Takahisa Tezuka.
The biggest opposition to the Japanese is likely to come from the Charlie Appleby-trained Yibir, a dominant winner of the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf when last seen in November. A quirky son of Dubawi, Appleby admits he is not easy to handle.
“The biggest danger to Yibir is himself,” said the British champion trainer. “He could pull like a train and do everything the wrong away round, or he could do what he did in America, when he pulled but they went a good gallop and he still won. It's credit to the horse and to William (Buick) that they won the race.”
British trainer William Haggas carries European hopes with his talented pair of Group 2 winners: Alenquer and Dubai Honour.
“It's a strong race but he's a nice horse,” the trainer said of Alenquer. “He surprised me in the Classic Trial at Sandown when defeating a very strong field, but he's gone on to win easily at Royal Ascot and finish second in the International Stakes at York.”
The improving Dubai Honour has a career record of four from 10 and was most recently fourth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup over 1 1/4 miles at Sha Tin. This will be his first try over a mile and a half, something Haggas feels may suit.
“He's gone from strength to strength, winning two Group 2 races in France and finishing second in the Champion Stakes,” he said. “It's his first time over a mile and a half and I'm not sure about the ground for him. He needs cut in the ground, but he did run a very solid race in December at Sha Tin. He was fourth and finished good in a strong race so we'll see.”
The other British contender in the field is the William Muir-trained Pyledriver, winner of the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom in 2021, who aims to bounce back from a disappointing run behind Authority in Riyadh last time.
The Longines Dubai Sheema Classic takes place as race eight with a scheduled jump of 7:55pm local time.
The post Breeders’ Cup Winner Yibir Headlines International Cast For Dubai Sheema Classic appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
‘Stamina-Building Breezes’ Have Prepared Life Is Good For Dubai World Cup Distance Challenge
There's no doubt that Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup winner Life Is Good is the standout, but he's just one of a galaxy of stars lining up in the 26th running of the Group 1 Dubai World Cup (sponsored by Emirates Airline) this Saturday.
Six Group or Grade 1 winners are set for the $12 million contest, representing six different countries. With a five-from-six career record, Life Is Good possesses a fearsome profile, but is yet to tackle this 1 1/4-mile distance, something trainer Todd Pletcher has been working on.
“I'm very happy with him, his weight looks good, I think he handled the ship in perfectly,” said the Kentucky Derby-winning trainer. “The Pegasus was his first time at a mile and an eighth and he handled that well, so we've focused on just some good, stamina-building breezes and strong gallop outs. He does everything so willingly; he likes doing it, enjoys his job, and all his work has been super good.”
Drawn in one, Life Is Good and jockey Irad Ortiz will likely make the others try to chase him down. One who has no concerns about the distance is Hot Rod Charlie, who warmed up for this assignment with a comfortable win over 1 3/16 miles in G2 Maktoum Challenge Round 2 last month.
“He's ready,” said Leandro Mora, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill, who has been overseeing the colt's preparation in Dubai for the past two months. “This horse, I really think he can run all day; he never seems to get tired. Life Is Good is a good horse, but we're here and we know he likes the track.”
The US challenge in the race is further bolstered by Bob Baffert's Country Grammer, an excellent second, returning from a break, in the Saudi Cup last time, and Steve Asmussen's Midnight Bourbon, who was third in Riyadh.
Just behind those two, in fifth, was Aero Trem, who will represent Uruguay-based Brazilian trainer Antonio Cintra. The winner of South America's biggest race, the G1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano, in October, his trainer is confident that he has him spot-on for Saturday.
“He's ready,” he said. “His run in Saudi was amazing, to finish fifth, with a strong finish – it felt like we won! We just breezed him once since then and we hope he will run another big race.”
Adding further international flair to the line-up are last year's second and third, Chuwa Wizard, from Japan for trainer Ryuji Okubo, and Magny Cours, trained in France by Andre Fabre. Three represent home nation the UAE, including Real World, who will aim to win trainer Saeed Bin Suroor a remarkable tenth World Cup, Hypothetical, for trainer Salem Bin Ghadayer, and Remorse, for Bhupat Seemar.
Hypothetical, winner of the main local prep, G1 Maktoum Challenge Round 3, has drawn wide in 10, which his trainer feels is far from ideal.
“We would rather have drawn inside, but what can you do? That's racing,” said the Emirati. “I'm so happy with Hypothetical. He's always been a good horse for us, he was fourth in the race last year and I know he will run a good race.”
Multiple Group 1-winning trainer William Haggas, second in the 2014 World Cup with Mukhadram, completes the line-up with Grocer Jack, a Group 3 winner in Germany who will race on dirt for the first time here.
The Dubai World Cup is the final race on the card, with a scheduled post time of 8:30pm UAE.
There's no doubt that Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup winner Life Is Good is the standout, but he's just one of a galaxy of stars lining up in the 26th running of the Dubai World Cup (sponsored by Emirates Airline).
Six Group or Grade 1 winners line up in the $12 million contest, representing six different countries. With a five-from-six career record, Life Is Good possesses a fearsome profile, but is yet to tackle this 2000-metre distance, something trainer Todd Pletcher has been working on.
“I'm very happy with him, his weight looks good, I think he handled the ship in perfectly,” said the Kentucky Derby-winning trainer. “The Pegasus was his first time at a mile and an eighth and he handled that well, so we've focused on just some good, stamina-building breezes and strong gallop outs. He does everything so willingly; he likes doing it, enjoys his job, and all his work has been super good.”
Drawn in one, Life Is Good and jockey Irad Ortiz will likely make the others try to chase him down. One who has no concerns about the distance is Hot Rod Charlie, who warmed up for this assignment with a comfortable win over 1900 metres in G2 Maktoum Challenge Round 2 last month.
“He's ready,” said Leandro Mora, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill, who has been overseeing the colt's preparation in Dubai for the past two months. “This horse, I really think he can run all day; he never seems to get tired. Life Is Good is a good horse, but we're here and we know he likes the track.”
The US challenge in the race is further bolstered by Bob Baffert's Country Grammer, an excellent second, returning from a break, in the Saudi Cup last time, and Steve Asmussen's Midnight Bourbon, who was third in Riyadh.
Just behind those two, in fifth, was Aero Trem, who will represent Uruguay-based Brazilian trainer Antonio Cintra. The winner of South America's biggest race, the G1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano, in October, his trainer is confident that he has him spot-on for Saturday.
“He's ready,” he said. “His run in Saudi was amazing, to finish fifth, with a strong finish – it felt like we won! We just breezed him once since then and we hope he will run another big race.”
Adding further international flair to the line-up are last year's second and third, Chuwa Wizard, from Japan for trainer Ryuji Okubo, and Magny Cours, trained in France by Andre Fabre. Three represent home nation the UAE, including Real World, who will aim to win trainer Saeed Bin Suroor a remarkable tenth World Cup, Hypothetical, for trainer Salem Bin Ghadayer, and Remorse, for Bhupat Seemar.
Hypothetical, winner of the main local prep, G1 Maktoum Challenge Round 3, has drawn wide in 10, which his trainer feels is far from ideal.
“We would rather have drawn inside, but what can you do? That's racing,” said the Emirati. “I'm so happy with Hypothetical. He's always been a good horse for us, he was fourth in the race last year and I know he will run a good race.”
Multiple Group 1-winning trainer William Haggas, second in the 2014 World Cup with Mukhadram, completes the line-up with Grocer Jack, a Group 3 winner in Germany who will race on dirt for the first time here.
The Dubai World Cup is the final race on the card, with a scheduled post time of 8:30pm UAE.
There's no doubt that Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup winner Life Is Good is the standout, but he's just one of a galaxy of stars lining up in the 26th running of the Dubai World Cup (sponsored by Emirates Airline).
Six Group or Grade 1 winners line up in the $12 million contest, representing six different countries. With a five-from-six career record, Life Is Good possesses a fearsome profile, but is yet to tackle this 2000-metre distance, something trainer Todd Pletcher has been working on.
“I'm very happy with him, his weight looks good, I think he handled the ship in perfectly,” said the Kentucky Derby-winning trainer. “The Pegasus was his first time at a mile and an eighth and he handled that well, so we've focused on just some good, stamina-building breezes and strong gallop outs. He does everything so willingly; he likes doing it, enjoys his job, and all his work has been super good.”
Drawn in one, Life Is Good and jockey Irad Ortiz will likely make the others try to chase him down. One who has no concerns about the distance is Hot Rod Charlie, who warmed up for this assignment with a comfortable win over 1900 metres in G2 Maktoum Challenge Round 2 last month.
“He's ready,” said Leandro Mora, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill, who has been overseeing the colt's preparation in Dubai for the past two months. “This horse, I really think he can run all day; he never seems to get tired. Life Is Good is a good horse, but we're here and we know he likes the track.”
The US challenge in the race is further bolstered by Bob Baffert's Country Grammer, an excellent second, returning from a break, in the Saudi Cup last time, and Steve Asmussen's Midnight Bourbon, who was third in Riyadh.
Just behind those two, in fifth, was Aero Trem, who will represent Uruguay-based Brazilian trainer Antonio Cintra. The winner of South America's biggest race, the G1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano, in October, his trainer is confident that he has him spot-on for Saturday.
“He's ready,” he said. “His run in Saudi was amazing, to finish fifth, with a strong finish – it felt like we won! We just breezed him once since then and we hope he will run another big race.”
Adding further international flair to the line-up are last year's second and third, Chuwa Wizard, from Japan for trainer Ryuji Okubo, and Magny Cours, trained in France by Andre Fabre. Three represent home nation the UAE, including Real World, who will aim to win trainer Saeed Bin Suroor a remarkable tenth World Cup, Hypothetical, for trainer Salem Bin Ghadayer, and Remorse, for Bhupat Seemar.
Hypothetical, winner of the main local prep, G1 Maktoum Challenge Round 3, has drawn wide in 10, which his trainer feels is far from ideal.
“We would rather have drawn inside, but what can you do? That's racing,” said the Emirati. “I'm so happy with Hypothetical. He's always been a good horse for us, he was fourth in the race last year and I know he will run a good race.”
Multiple Group 1-winning trainer William Haggas, second in the 2014 World Cup with Mukhadram, completes the line-up with Grocer Jack, a Group 3 winner in Germany who will race on dirt for the first time here.
The Dubai World Cup is the final race on the card, with a scheduled post time of 8:30pm UAE.
The post ‘Stamina-Building Breezes’ Have Prepared Life Is Good For Dubai World Cup Distance Challenge appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
2022 Sunland Park Derby at a Glance
Though the Sunland Park Derby is contested in the midst of the 170-point Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifiers, Sunday’s stakes – which will be held at Sunland Park for the first time since 2019 – offers only 85 points to the top four finishers.
