DUBAI WORLD CUP MEET LIKELY TO BE VOID OF STARS
This year’s Dubai World Cup night is looking more and more likely to be an event void of the usual star-studded cast. Due to the ongoing instability in the middle-east my guess is that most people connected to nominated horses would choose not to travel to the region.
Some wishful thinking types might be thinking if the bombs and drones stop flying overhead soon enough, the show will go ahead as usual. However, time is running short for things to cool down, as horses and connections usually arrive a couple of weeks before the event. And don’t forget that outside of owners, trainers and jockeys, there are the strappers/grooms and track-work riders that aren’t on the big bucks, but would be needed from the moment the horse hits the ground in Dubai. If you put yourself in their position, is it worth risking your safety for a wage that allows you to just scrape by? Additionally, if they do take a chance and travel to Dubai, only for the missiles to start being launched again around the time they’re due for departure . . . you would doubt the stable-hand is going to be on a priority flight out of the country.
At this moment, Wednesday, 4th March there have been no new press releases from Dubai Racing Club or Emirates Racing. Meanwhile on X (Twitter) the Dubai Racing Club is posting content giving the impression that it’s situation normal.
As much as I hope I’m wrong, I can’t see any additional horses arriving in Dubai for World Cup night. That means, the likes of Rebel’s Romance, Fort George may have the Dubai Sheema Classic in their grasp with most of Japan’s best not arriving yet.
Below is a sample of horses who’ve raced in the middle-east this year that maybe serious contenders for a Dubai Sheema Classic or Dubai Gold Cup. Bear in mind that’s not a guarantee that the horses haven’t already returned home:
Giavellotto - raced HH Amir Trophy (Qatar Feb 14)
Goliath - raced HH Amir Trophy (Qatar Feb 14)
Deep Monster - raced HH Amir Trophy (Qatar Feb 14)
Byzantine Dream - raced HH Amir Trophy (Qatar Feb 14)
El Cordobes - raced HH Amir Trophy (Qatar Feb 14)
Rebel’s Romance - raced Dubai City of Gold (UAE Feb 28)
Fort George - raced Dubai City of Gold (UAE Feb 28)
Burdett Road - raced Dubai City of Gold (UAE Feb 28)
Al Nayyir - raced Nad Al Sheba (UAE Feb 20)
Sunway - raced Nad Al Sheba (UAE Feb 20)
By The Book - raced Nad Al Sheba (UAE Feb 20)
Sons And Lover - raced Red Sea Turf (Saudi Feb 14)
Tabletalk - raced Red Sea Turf (Saudi Feb 14)
Tarriance - raced Red Sea Turf (Saudi Feb 14)
Presage Nocturne - raced Red Sea Turf (Saudi Feb 14)
Epic Poet - raced Red Sea Turf (Saudi Feb 14)
