Jonquil Among Contenders for the Inaugural Abu Dhabi Gold Cup

[Wandering Eyes]

Andrew Balding has issued a positive bulletin on Jonquil (Lope De Vega) as the Juddmonte homebred prepares to line up in the inaugural $1-million Abu Dhabi Gold Cup, powered by ADNOC.

Scheduled to take place at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club Racecourse on Saturday, the 1,600-metre contest has attracted entries from Europe, Japan and the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), with few more talented than the four-year-old Jonquil. The son of Lope De Vega showed high-class form in 2025 when winning the G2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood and G3 Greenham Stakes at Newbury, as well as finishing second behind Henri Matisse in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

“We've been very happy with him,” Balding said of Jonquil, who was last seen finishing ninth in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar. “He obviously had quite a busy season last year, culminating in a trip to California for the Breeders' Cup. He's had a short break after that, and we started preparations at Christmas time looking to get him ready for this race. We feel that his fitness levels are good, we're very happy with the way he seems at home, and I hope he travels well and can take his best form to Abu Dhabi.”

Jonquil is set to be joined on the journey from Europe by the likes of Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett), from the Donnacha O'Brien stable, and Witness Stand (Expert Eye), the winner of last year's G2 Lennox Stakes for Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole.

Perhaps the strongest hand belongs to owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, who could be double-handed with Maljoom (Caravaggio) and Quddwah (Kingman). Maljoom, who will be his having his first start for Dubai-based trainer Michael Costa, has been off the track since finishing third in last year's G1 Dubai Turf for William Haggas, while the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Quddwah faces a rematch with the horse who followed him home in last month's G2 Zabeel Mile, Aomori City (Oasis Dream).

“We've been very happy with him since his win in the Zabeel Mile at Meydan in early-January,” Ed Crisford said of Quddwah. “He's been training super well into this Abu Dhabi race. I think it's really great to be part of this new race with such great prize-money. It will be a high-quality field, but I think he deserves to be in the race, and he'll go in with every chance.”

The final field for the Abu Dhabi Gold Cup, the most valuable race ever held in Abu Dhabi, will be confirmed later in the week, with the Japanese raider Strauss (Maurice) and Dark Trooper (Dark Angel), trained in Qatar by Alban De Mieulle, featuring among the other potential runners at this stage.

The winner on Saturday will also be guaranteed a place in the $1-million GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic, which takes place on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2.

His Excellency Ali Al Shaiba, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Abu Dhabi Turf Club and President of the Organising Committee, said, “The Abu Dhabi Gold Cup powered by ADNOC is a testament to the emirate's evolution as a world-class sporting destination. By introducing a million-dollar Listed Thoroughbred race to our historic program, we are creating a global platform that merges our deep-rooted equestrian traditions with international excellence.

“This event offers an unparalleled experience where elite sport meets premium lifestyle, and we are proud to welcome the world to witness this new chapter in Abu Dhabi's racing legacy.”

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