The Group 1 $1.5m 1200m Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News, boasts a multi-national field including the Doug O’Neill trained Wildman Jack (USA) winner of the 2020 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint and fellow US-based Group winner, Yaupon (USA) trained by Steve Asmussen who seeks redemption following his Breeder’s Cup Sprint tilt in November. The Americans will take on Capella Stakes victor, Justin (JPN) trained by Akira Murayama who renews his rivalry with Copano Kicking (USA) and Matera Sky (USA) the winner and runner up respectively in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint three weeks ago.
Elsewhere on the card Japan’s Pink Kamehameha (JPN), trained by Hideyuki Mori seeks victory in the Group 2 1900m $750,000 UAE Derby Sponsored by Emirates NBD having already landed the Saudi equivalent over a mile.
Stablemate France Go De Ina (USA) and the Yukihiro Kato trained Takeru Pegasus (JPN) complete a powerful Japanese Derby challenge while Dubai World Cup Carnival star, El Patriota(URU) prepared by Cintra represents Uruguay.
The Group 1 US$1m Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by AZIZI features Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby trained Space Blues(IRE), fresh from victory in The Saudi Cup’s 1351 Turf Sprint, Dubai World Cup Carnival star Equilateral (GB) trained by Charlie Hills and Cowan (USA) who was a fast-finishing second in the Saudi Derby and is another prepared by Asmussen.
Testing their staying power in the Group 2 $750,000 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors are the Group 1 Prix Royal Oak-winner Subjectivist, trained by Mark Johnston alongside Group 2 winners, Walderbe (GER), trained by Germany’s Ralf Rohne, the Andrew Balding trained Spanish Mission (USA) and Red Verdon (GB) trained by Ed Dunlop.
The Group 2 $750,000 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City – District One features 2020 Curlin Stakes winner, Parsimony (USA) trained by Doug O’Neill alongside Saudi raider Urban Icon, trained by Saud Saad M Alkahtani, Multiple UAE Champion Trainer, Doug Watson saddles the trio of Midnight Sands (USA), Premier Star (USA) and Golden Goal (IRE) while Satish Seemar’s Zabeel Stables also sends out three including Secret Ambition (GB), Roman Rosso (ARG) and Tuz (USA). The Salem Bin Ghadayer trained Blown By The Wind (GB) lines up alongside Japan’s Dieu Du Vin (JPN) and the Saeed Bin Suroor trained Dubai Mirage (IRE).
The Group 1 $750,000 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic Sponsored by Mubadala has attracted an impressive list of the world’s best Purebred Arabians including Group 1 winner Hajres (TUN) from the yard of French trainer, Elisabeth Bernard, Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 winner and track record holder, RB Frynchh Dude trained by the UAE’s Helal Alalawi and the Didier Guillemin trained Deryan, winner of the 2020 The President of the UAE Cup at Deauville.
Also lining up are the Mutlaq Bin Mushreef trained pair of Mubasher Al Khalediah (KSA) and Mutawakel Al Khalediah (KSA) winner and runner up respectively in the Obaiya Arabian Classic last month.
The Dubai World Cup is being held behind closed doors on Saturday March 27, 2021 and will see a modification to the purse structure meaning that prize money will be paid out to 8th place.
DUBAI WORLD CUP 2021 CURRENT INVITED FIELDS
Dubai Racing Club Press Release
Photos: Mystic Guide (Coglianese), and Chrono Genesis (JRA)
