A total of 989 horses from 21 countries have been nominated to the Dubai
World Cup (Uae-G1) meeting, which will take place at Nadal Sheba on March 26.
Consisting of four Group 1 races and two Group 2 races for Thoroughbreds as well
as a Group 1 for Arabians, the meeting will be worth $15,250,000.
“We are all looking forward to the Dubai World Cup and are very excited by
the quality of horses from around the world that have been nominated for all of
the races on March 26th,” Saeed H. Al-Tayer, chairman of the Dubai Racing Club
said. “The Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, is the culmination of
the 2005 Dubai International Racing Carnival, which begins at Nad al Sheba
Racecourse on Thursday evening and will present 10 weeks of exciting
international competition in the build up to Dubai World Cup day. I would like
to thank all of our sponsors who help to make the Dubai World Cup such a
memorable night.”
Among the nominations for the $6-million Dubai World Cup, won last year by
Richard Mandella trainee Pleasantly Perfect, are U.S. standouts Rock Hard Ten
(Kris S.) and Roses in May (Devil His Due) as well as Lundy’s Liability (Brz),
winner of last year’s $2 million UAE Derby (Uae-G2). In addition to Rock Hard
Ten, Mandella has also nominated recent graded stakes winners Congrats (A.P.
Indy) and Minister Eric (Old Trieste).
Godolphin, four-time winners of the World Cup, have nominated 11 for this
year’s renewal, including Cherry Mix (Linamix) and Ruler’s Court (Doneraile
Court). The peripatetic Powerscourt (GB) (Sadler’s Wells), trained in Ireland by
Aidan O’Brien, holds entries in both the World Cup and the $2 million Sheema
Classic (Uae-G1).
Other European nominees for the meeting include Alexander Goldrun (Gold Away
[Ire]), a Group 1 winner in France and Hong Kong; Attraction (Efisio), a a
four-time Group 1 winner in 2004; Phoenix Reach (Ire) (Alhaarth), a Group 1
winner in Hong Kong and Canada; the German-based Epalo (Ger) (Lando [Ger]), a
Group 1 winner in Singapore; and Right Approach (Machiavellian), who dead-heated
for victory in last year’s $2 million Dubai Duty Free (Uae-G1). A number of
Japanese runners have been nominated, including 14 in the World Cup alone, led
by Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1) hero Time Paradox (Brian’s Time). From Australia hail
Dubai Duty Free nominees Alinghi (Encosta de Lago) and Elvstroem (Danehill) as
well as Sheema Classic hopeful Makybe Diva (Desert King).
A pair of winners from last year’s meeting are hoping to defend their titles.
The California-based Our New Recruit (Alphabet Soup) is preparing once again for
the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen. Godolphin colorbearer Firebreak (Charnwood
Forest [Ire]), trained by Saeed bin Suroor, will be looking for a hat trick of
wins in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (Uae-G2).
Trainer Mike de Kock, whose previous Nad al Sheba winners include Ipi Tombe (Zim)
and Victory Moon (SAf), has a pair of high profile entries. He has entered his
multiple South African Group 1 winner Grey’s Inn (Zabeel) in the Duty Free and
South African champion Candidato Roy (Roy) in the Derby.
A full listing of nominated horses is available at dubaiworldcup.com.