More than 1,600 entries, including 892 individual horses from 21 different countries, have been received for the 2023 Dubai World Cup meeting, to take place on Saturday, March 25. One of the most spectacular days of racing on the global calendar, this will be the 27th running of the meeting, which offers $30.5million in prize money across nine races.
The feature event is the Group 1 Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, which has attracted 171 entries, including 24 individual Group or Grade One winners. Among them is Country Grammer, who could attempt to become just the second horse to win two Dubai World Cups if he takes his chance for trainer Bob Baffert and owner Zedan Racing, who have also nominated thrice Grade One winner Taiba.
Joining them on the trip from America could be Rich Strike, who shocked the world when a longshot winner of the Kentucky Derby. Japan’s Panthalassa dead-heated in the Dubai Turf last year but holds a Dubai World Cup nomination this time, while upset 2022 Saudi Cup winner Emblem Road could make his UAE debut.
The Longines Dubai Sheema Classic carries a purse of $6million and has attracted a superb bunch of entries, including 2022 winner Shahryar as well as Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Arima Kinen winner Equinox, the highest rated 3yo in the world in 2022. Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby has won this race twice and he has entered Rebel’s Romance, winner of the 2021 UAE Derby and the 2022 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf. Nominated from the UK is the John and Thady Gosden-trained Emily Upjohn, winner of the Group 1 Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot.
GRADE ONE WINNERS GALORE
The Dubai Turf (Sponsored by DP World), worth $5million, has attracted 21 individual Group or Grade One winners, including Lord North, winner of the race in 2021 and joint winner in 2022. Potentially joining him from Newmarket is 2022 fourth Saffron Beach, while Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile second Shirl’s Speight could take his chance for Canada-based trainer Roger Attfield.
One of the more intriguing entries is Golden Sixty, seven times a Group One winner in Hong Kong, who could make his international debut here. The Dubai Golden Shaheen, run over 1200m on the dirt, has been a good race for the Americans down the years and they have nominated 14, including the Steve Asmussentrained Gunite.
Leading the home challenge is RRR Racing’s defending champion Switzerland, while dual runner up Red Le Zele and Saudi Sprint winner Dancing Prince are among the strong Japanese entries. Contested over the straight 1200m turf track, the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Azizi Developments, is always a spectacle and it could see the well travelled Artorius make the journey from Australia for trainer Anthony Freedman, while Appleby has nominated his Group One winner Creative Force.
Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien has won the UAE Derby on three occasions and he has nominated Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Victoria Road for the 1900m dirt contest, one of three Group Twos on the card. Potential rivals include Baffert’s Mr Fisk, Newgate and Speed Boat Beach, while Brad Cox has nominated 13, including Grade Two winner Instant Coffee.
The longest race of the day is the 3200 Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, which could see the return of popular 2021 winner Subjectivist. An exciting Irish challenge includes O’Brien’s Group One winner Broome and Sonnyboyliston, winner of last year’s prestigious Ebor Handicap and the Irish St Leger for Johnny Murtagh.
The first of the Group Twos is the Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Nakheel, in which defending champion Bathrat Leon is entered, along with Japanese compatriots Lauda Sion, Derma Louvre and Soliste Thunder, who was fourth last year. From the US, Todd Pletcher, successful in this race with Coal Front in 2019, has nominated Pioneer Of Medina, while Saffie Joseph Jnr could be represented by his Grade One winner White Abarrio and Richard Mandella by Royal Ship.
DELIGHT FOR ORGANISERS
The traditional opener to Dubai World Cup day is the $1million Dubai Kahayla Classic, for Purebred Arabians. The 78 entries include 17 Group One winners, among them the last two winners of the race, Deryan and First Classs, and multiple Group One heroine Lady Princess, arguably the best Arabian in the world.
"We are delighted by the strength and depth of entries for this year’s Dubai World Cup meeting,” said Stephanie Cooley, International Manager for Dubai Racing Club. “It is especially gratifying to have so many horses and trainers returning to the meeting, with our 2022 winners of the Dubai World Cup, Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, Dubai Turf, Golden Shaheen, Godolphin Mile and Kahayla Classic all in line to defend their titles.” Invitations for the meeting are set to go out during February.
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