DWC Night Attracts Worldwide Entry
A total of 2,142 nominations have been received from no fewer than 19 nations for the nine races that comprise the Dubai World Cup program, to be held this year Mar. 28 at Meydan Racecourse.
Of the 20 highest-rated Thoroughbreds that remain in training in 2015, 13 of those have been nominated to at least one of the seven-figure tests–four each on the turf and the newly installed dirt surface.
The G1 Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race with purse money of $10 million, attracted a total of 296 horses, including two dozen from the United States. Despite the return to dirt, that number is down from the 30 horses entered in 2014, though American participation is all but guaranteed this time around. There were no U.S.-based horses in last year’s World Cup. The 10-furlong test has been mooted as a possible destination for the top seven horses home in last year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, including the victorious Bayern (Offlee Wild), Toast of New York (Thewayyouare)–winner of the G2 UAE Derby on the DWC undercard in 2014–and recently anointed U.S. Horse of the Year California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit). Other stateside runners possible for the World Cup include the aggrieved Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}) and GI Belmont S. winner Tonalist (Tapit). Godolphin has also nominated African Story (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) for a possible defense of his title, while other foreign participation could come–somewhat surprisingly–from G1 Japan Cup hero Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) and the now Saudi Arabian-based Ron the Greek (Full Mandate).
Epiphaneia could also opt for the $6-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and could be joined in that race by his compatriot Gold Ship (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), Harp Star (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Last Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) annexed last year’s Sheema Classic. Dual Eclipse Award winner Main Sequence (Aldebaran) is slated to take in the Sheema Classic, while the globetrotting Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) and last year’s top sophomore galloper The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) also feature prominently. One notable absentee from the first stage is former Sheema Classic winner and 2014 runner-up Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}).
Horses based in Hong Kong won two the two sprint races as last year’s DWC meeting, courtesy of Amber Sky (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint and Sterling City (Aus) (Nadeem {Aus}), who defeated fellow Hong Konger Rich Tapestry (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Though Amber Sky and Sterling City are off form and could miss their respective title defenses, Rich Tapestry is penciled in for a return trip to the Golden Shaheen, and could be joined in the gate by Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). That 4-year-old won the Centenary Sprint Cup up the Sha Tin straight this past weekend, but could try the dirt for the first time in the Shaheen.Bundle of Joy (Aus) (Magic Albert {Aus}), runner-up to Peniaphobia, is possible for the Al Quoz, but is not among the first-stage entrants.
Fresh off another tour-de-force in the G1 Stewards’ Cup at the weekend, Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) is possible for the G1 Dubai Turf S., as is Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}), the beaten favorite in last year’s World Cup. Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), most recently victorious in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, was not entered for the 1800-meter test, but holds an entry for the Sheema Classic.
“I believe this is the strongest group of entries we have had for the Dubai World Cup meeting in its 20-year history,” commented Martin Talty, the Dubai Racing Club’s international manager. “The strength of the USA challenge is evident, with the first seven over the line in the Breeders’ Cup Classic as well as Main Sequence. Match that with the best from Asia, a region that has shown to be among the leaders, [and it] proves how strong the depth is this year.”
Click here for the entire list of nominees.