Top European Connections Say Decision On Dubai World Cup Participation To Be Left Late

[Wandering Eyes]

Connections of some of the leading European-trained Dubai World Cup entries are said to be taking a watching brief on the conflict in the Middle East before firming up running plans for the fixture that boasts over $30 million in prize-money on Saturday, March 28.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Shadai Race Horse Company's Masquerade Ball and Jantar Mantar would not travel from Japan to Meydan for their intended starts in the Dubai Sheema Classic and Dubai Turf.

However, leading Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien and the Aga Khan Stud's Racing Manager, Nemone Routh, have said a decision on their respective participation at the meeting will be made much closer to the time. Tower Of London, Al Riffa and Sons And Lovers, successful in the Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap at the Saudi Cup meeting when last seen, are all in contention to represent O'Brien in the Gulf later this month.

Meanwhile, the Francis Graffard-trained Calandagan could bid to go one better for the Aga Khan Studs in the Dubai Sheema Classic. 

Routh said, “We currently have two horses and a number of staff based in Dubai. Rayevka, who is trained by Francis Graffard, and Alakazi, trained by Johnny Murtagh, are both in Dubai. And then we have the prospect of running Calandagan. If he does go, he doesn't ship until the 21st of this month so we are waiting to see what happens and will see how we feel about the whole situation close to the time. We're going ahead with all of the protocols so that gives us the option if we do decide to go. We will discuss with Princess Zahra to see what she would like to do closer to the time. We will know a little bit more about what is happening in the Middle East by then.”

O'Brien, who has rightly earned himself a reputation for being a master campaigner of horses on a global stage, is taking a similar approach to the Aga Khan Studs.

Joseph O'Brien: has some big entries at the Dubai World Cup meeting | Sarah Andrew

He said, “We plan to have three or four runners at the Dubai World Cup. We had Aeronautic, who was out there with Shane Crosse, in Dubai recently. He ran there last week but both he and Shane flew home within the past couple of days. We are just monitoring the situation between now and World Cup night because things could relax or escalate. We are in communication with the Dubai Racing Club and the horses are not due for shipping until later this month so we can make a decision closer to the time.”

Racing took place at Meydan on Friday, where European trainers like Charlie Appleby, Ian Williams and Jamie Osborne were all represented. 

Japan's highest-profile challenger for the meeting, the Breeders' Cup Classic and dual Saudi Cup winner Forever Young, is already in situ along with his stable-mate American Stage having travelled to Dubai from Riyadh several weeks ago, but it is looking increasingly unlikely that others will follow from Japan.

The Japanese government has now raised its threat level for travel to six countries including the UAE. The Level 3 advisory urges people not to travel and, like other nations, the Japanese government is arranging charter flights to evacuate its citizens from the region.

The Japan Racing Association (JRA), which usually arranges simulcasts for overseas races which include a Japanese runner, announced on Friday that it has cancelled its plan to show four races from Meydan: the Dubai World Cup, Sheema Classic, Turf and the Golden Shaheen.

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