Last year’s Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1) hero Shahryar captured his debut on the international stage in Saturday’s $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) at Meydan.

Three Group 1 races and a Group 2, with prizemoney ranging from $1 million to $6 million, highlight a strong turf card on Dubai World Cup Day.

Jockey Christophe Lemaire opened Saudi Cup Day with a triple aboard Japanese shippers in the turf races. Neom Turf Cup favorite Authority and Red Sea Turf H. outsider Stay Foolish benefited from enterprising frontrunning rides, while Songline rallied with a perfectly-timed move in the 1351 Turf Sprint.

The rich Saudi Cup program includes three turf stakes, all upgraded to international Group 3 status for Saturday. The 1351 Turf Sprint caters to the speed brigade, the Neom Turf Cup suits the middle-distance types, and the Red Sea Turf H. is a prize for stayers.

Japanese star Contrail had one last chance to bolster his legacy in Sunday’s $6.1 million Japan Cup (G1), and the 3-5 favorite seized it to conclude his racing career in a blaze of glory.

Fresh off a ground-breaking Breeders’ Cup double with Loves Only You and Marche Lorraine, trainer Yoshito Yahagi hopes to fill another lacuna on his resume in Sunday’s $6.1 million Japan Cup (G1).