Tag: Ryan Moore

Star-Studded Fields Announced For Dubai World Cup Meeting

Five returning champions and one previous champion highlight the prospective fields for the Dubai World Cup meeting to be held at sprawling Meydan Racecourse in Dubai Saturday, Mar. 30. The connections of 106 horses from no fewer than 12 racing jurisdictions have accepted invitations to the eight Thoroughbred races on a $30.5-million program that begins with the $1-million Dubai Kahayla Classic for the Purebred Arabians and concludes with the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup.

The main event has attracted a field of 15 that is led by its defending champion Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), one of 24 runners set to ship in from Japan for the meeting. Looking to become the first 7-year-old World Cup winner since Gloria de Campeao (Brz) back in 2010 and just the third overall, the recent G1 Saudi Cup runner-up is joined by three compatriots, including last year's G2 UAE Derby hero Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits). The American challenge numbers five and is topped by Saudi Cup upsetter Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) and GI Santa Anita H. hero Newgate (Into Mischief) for four-time World Cup winner Bob Baffert, while the exciting Kabirkhan (California Chrome) has been the talking horse of the Dubai International Racing Carnival and the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge victor will have his supporters to become a first World Cup winner for perennial leading trainer Doug Watson. Laurel River (Into Mischief) won the G3 Burj Nahaar over a mile on Super Saturday Mar. 2, but opts for the World Cup over the Godolphin Mile for trainer Bhupat Seemar.

The $6-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, won in imperious fashion by Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) last March, was the second highest-rated race in the world in 2023, and if the field assembled for this renewal is any indication, it could go one better. A likely field of 12 has been revealed, fully 10 of which have succeeded at Group 1 level, and features a mouth-watering clash between G1 Betfred Derby, G1 Irish Derby and GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Japanese Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Japan is also represented by 2022 Sheema Classic victor Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is set to make her first appearance beyond the borders of the UK and is one of four on the evening for John and Thady Gosden. Godolphin sends out Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), impressive in taking out the Listed HH The Amir Trophy in Qatar last month.

Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) also represents the Clarehaven operation as he goes in search of an unprecedented fourth victory in a row in the G1 Dubai Turf, where he squares off with G1 Arima Kinen hero Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), the would-be 2023 favourite who was scratched leading up to the race. Also in the field is Lord North's hard-knocking stable companion Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}); Godolphin's progressive G1 Jebel Hatta winner Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}); treble elite-level scorer Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) for Aidan O'Brien; and Hong Kong's Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), victorious in this year's G1 Stewards Cup at Sha Tin.

Godolphin's Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) will look to avenge a tough defeat in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, where he'll surely face a stiff challenge from recent G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. winner Tower of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and runner-up Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}); G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup conqueror Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}); and G2 Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {GB}).

Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) proved a somewhat unlikely winner of the 2023 G1 Al Quoz Sprint for local trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri and will have to dig deep if he is to defend against the Jamie Osborne-trained veteran Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal), a recent winner in Qatar; the nails-tough US raider Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed); Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), so game up the rail to scoop the G2 1351 Turf Sprint Feb. 24; Hong Kong's G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup winner California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); and the 3-year-old fillies Star of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and Frost At Dawn (Frosted).

America's Sibelius (Not This Time) will have Ryan Moore back in the saddle as he defends his title in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen against the likes of G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint winner Remake (Jpn) (Lani) and the locally trained Tuz (Oxbow), while Isolate (Mark Valeski) is certain to face a strong challenge from Saudi Cup close third-placegetter Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), who drops back in trip for the G2 Godolphin Mile.

The G2 UAE Derby features a budding star in the form of the Yoshito Yahagi-conditioned Forever Young (Jpn), a son of 2016 Dubai Turf hero Real Steel (Jpn), whose undefeated run includes a razor-thin victory in the 1600-metre G3 Saudi Derby Feb. 24. G3 UAE 2000 Guineas winner Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn) and Listed Al Bastakiya S. scorer Killer Collect (Collected) front the local challenge, while Ballydoyle is set to be represented by G3 Tyros S. winner Henry Adams (Ire) (No Nay Never). The Derby offers 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Click here for the full fields.

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Sibelius Preps For Golden Shaheen Defense At Palm Meadows

Jun Park and Delia Nash's Sibelius (Not This Time) breezed a half-mile in an easy :49 flat at Palm Meadows the morning of Mar. 5 as he builds up to a defense of his title in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse Mar. 30.

Trainer Jeremiah O'Dwyer was in the irons for the move aboard the 6-year-old, who–like last year–enters the Golden Shaheen after winning the GIII Mr. Prospector S. at Gulfstream Dec. 23 and the Feb. 10 Pelican S. at Tampa Bay Downs.

“He went very well and he did everything we were looking for,” the conditioner said. “He did a nice half in :49 with a nice gallop out. The track was in good condition after getting some rain the day before. He breezed very nicely and we're very pleased.”

After just outbattling 2022 Golden Shaheen hero Switzerland (Speightstown) and Gunite (Gun Runner) last March, Sibelius failed to shine in three subsequent appearances before bouncing back to his best form this winter.

“It might be this time of year, it might be that the trip over there took a little bit more out of him than we anticipated,” O'Dwyer offered when asked about the gelding's turnaround. “There are so many variables and factors, it's really hard to pinpoint it.”

Tyler Gaffalione rode Sibelius to his neck success in the Pelican, but O'Dwyer has once again enlisted the services of Ryan Moore for this year's Golden Shaheen.

“Ryan brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table,” O'Dwyer said. “He leaves no stone unturned, he knows every horse he rides inside and out. He can relate to the trainer and the horse very well. As a friend of mine told me once, I don't think there's a horse that hasn't been born yet that Ryan Moore doesn't suit.”

And how does the 2024 version of Sibelius compare with the one of 12 months back?

“I think he's very similar, I think he's equally as good to how he was this time last year,” O'Dwyer said. “Even Junior Alvarado, he breezed him before he went to Tampa and that's exactly what he said. He said, 'I don't know that he's better than he was last year, but he's just as good.'

“That gives us some confidence. I ride the horse a fair bit myself and I know he's doing great. He's a 6-year-old, he's good and strong. We're in a very good place with him and looking forward to going out to Dubai again. He really seemed to thrive out there, so hopefully he can run his race again this year.”

O'Dwyer has penciled in one more half-mile breeze 'in eight or nine days' time.' Sibelius ships to the desert Mar. 19 and his trainer departs three days later.

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HH Sheikh Mohammed Racing Excellency Award Winners Revealed

 The winners of the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Racing Excellence Awards, with Japanese superstar Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) named the Best Horse Award winner, were announced during the Super Saturday card at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday.

The award winners are selected on criteria designated by the Dubai Racing Club (DRC), overseen by the Trustee's Committee. The public selects the People's Choice Award. The full list of winners are as follows:

  • Best Horse: Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn})
  • Best Jockey: Ryan Moore
  • Best Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
  • Best Owner: Silk Racing
  • People's Choice: Hamdan Sultan Al Sabusi
  • Lifetime Achievement: Colonel Ali Khamis Al Jafleh & Sheikh Abdulla Al Qasemi
  • Excellence Award: Saeed bin Suroor

“We are honoured to receive a prestigious award such as this one,” said Masashi Yonemoto, representing Silk Racing. “Equinox's win here in Dubai was very special and we enjoyed watching the horses who finished behind him go on to win several big races around the world.”

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Galileo’s Tower Of London Pips Enemy In The Final Jump Of Red Sea Turf

TOWER OF LONDON (IRE) (c, 4, Galileo {Ire}-Dialafara {Fr}, by Anabaa) gave the Coolmore partners a dramatic, last stride victory under a quality Ryan Moore ride in the 3000-metre $2.5-million G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday. It was Moore's 18th ride and first win at the fledgling meeting, and trainer Aidan O'Brien's third runner and first winner, as well. Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), who finished second in the 2023 edition, filled that spot again, a head off of the winner.

The listed winner blew the break, and Moore steered him over to the fence, where they loitered for the majority of the race as Libyan Glass (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) blitzed up to the head of affairs while pressed by Iron Barows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Echt (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) perched in third.

The strung-out field began to bunch midway on the last of three turns. Right about the time Iron Barows tackled his countrymate in earnest 500 metres from home, Moore and Tower Of London began to inch around and in between runners with their bid, at times in desperate need of gaps. Luckily, the pair found racing room and, after moving out for clear sailing in the lane, were flying into the final furlong with a full head of steam and dead aim on Enemy closer to the rail, who had capitalised once the Japanese pacesetters threw in the towel.

G2 Yorkshire Cup S. hero Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) was also coming with a strong run and he rushed up to Enemy's throat latch. That duo seemed to have the race at their mercy for a second or two, before Tower Of London, responding gallantly to Moore's efforts, unleashed a determined rally. In the final metres of the race, it was too close to call if Tower Of London would get there, but Moore was able to eke out that extra bit of effort from his mount, who pipped Enemy by a head on the line. Giavellotto was a game third. Of the Japanese, the best finish was by Echt in fifth.

“He's a lightly raced horse,” said Moore afterwards. “He's from a very good family, a brother to Capri and the family have done well for the yard. He'd been working well, they always held him in high regard. We had to be patient and a few horses were dropping back. We eventually got out and he got there at the end. Today was the first time he was able to run on a flat track on quick ground and Aidan has had a lot of faith.”

“In fairness to Aidan, he was quite confident coming out here and Ryan said he was going to take his time,” said MV Magnier. “He's pretty cool, relaxed and nothing fazes him. I haven't spoken to Aidan yet but I'd say the chances are he could go for [G2] Dubai Gold Cup but it'll be up to Aidan and the lads. I've been here for the past few days, it's remarkable the welcome we've got and the people have been brilliant.”

A maiden winner at first asking at two, the full-brother to staying star and G1 St Leger hero Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won a pair of handicaps at three, and was also second in the G3 Bahrain Trophy S. later in the season. Only fourth in the St Leger at Doncaster in September, he was a distant ninth in the Irish Cesarewitch H. at the end of a the season. Saturday's race was his 4-year-old bow.

Pedigree Notes

Coolmore's much missed Galileo is now the sire of 252 group/graded winners (373 stakes winners) internationally with the victory of Tower Of London. A dozen of Galileo's stakes winners are out of Anabaa mares, the best of them including the previously mentioned Capri, as well as three-time Group 1 winner Lush Lashes (GB), GI Belmont Derby/GI Sword Dancer S. winner Bolshoi Ballet (Ire), and Stone Age (Ire), who has been placed thrice at Group 1/I level.

Mated exclusively with Galileo for her first nine foals, the winning Dialafara foaled seven winners in that bunch, with G3 Loughbrown S. winner Cypress Creek (Ire) and G3 Stanerra S. heroine Passion (Ire) joining Capri and Tower Of London as group winners. Passion was also third in the G1 Irish Oaks and the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Dialafara's latest produce is a colt by Camelot (GB), who was born in 2022.

Second dam Diamilina (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) won two group races in France, and was also second in the G1 Prix Vermeille. She is a half-sister to the sire Diamond Green (Fr) (Green Desert), a winner of the G3 Prix La Rochette, and second in the G1 French 2000 Guineas among three Group 1 podiums. G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer (Ire) (Halling) is also kin to Tower Of London.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
LONGINES RED SEA TURF H.-G3, $2,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-24, NH4yo/up, SH3yo/up, 3000mT, 3:04.43, gd.
1–TOWER OF LONDON (IRE), 131, c, 4, by Galileo (Ire)
                1st Dam: Dialafara (Fr), by Anabaa
                2nd Dam: Diamilina (Fr), by Linamix (Fr)
                3rd Dam: Diamonaka (Fr), by Akarad (Fr)
1ST GROUP WIN. O-D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor &
Westerberg; B-Lynch Bages, Ltd. (Ire) & Camas Park Stud;
T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore; $1,500,000. Lifetime Record:
SW-Ire, GSP-Eng, 9-4-1-0, $1,708,396. *Full to Capri (Ire)
(Galileo {Ire}), Hwt. 3yo-Euro at 14f+, Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 11-14f &
14f+, Hwt. Older Horse-Ire at 11-14f, Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 14f+,
G1SW-Ire & Eng, G1SP-Fr, $2,067,692; Cypress Creek (Ire)
(Galileo {Ire}), GSW-Ire & GSP-Eng, $102,373; and Passion (Ire)
(Galileo {Ire}), GSW & G1SP-Ire, G1SP-Eng, $200,604. Werk
   Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree
   or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Enemy (GB), 131, g, 7, Muhaarar (GB)–Prudenzia (Ire), by
Dansili (GB). (€420,000 Ylg '18 ARQAUG; €92,000 HRA '21
ARQNOV). O-Tracey Bell & Caroline Lyons; B-Ecurie des
Monceaux & Skymarc Farm, Inc. (GB); T-Ian Williams; J-Richard
Kingscote; $500,000.
3–Giavellotto (Ire), 136, h, 5, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Gerika (Fr),
by Galileo (Ire). O/B-Societa la Tesa, Ltd. (Ire); T-M. Botti;
J-Oisin Murphy; $250,000.
Margins: HD, 3/4, 4 1/4.
Also Ran: Al Nayyir (GB), Echt (Jpn), First Minister (Ire), Big Call, Pin Your Hopes (Ire), Breakup (Jpn), Libyan Glass (Jpn), Diva Donna (Fr), Iron Barows (Jpn), Roberto Escobarr (Ire), Skazino (Fr). Click for the JCSA chart (R8) and video.

 

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