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Owners and trainers worldwide have embraced international horse racing’s iconic new venue; Meydan Racecourse, with Dubai Racing Club announcing record entries for the 2010 Dubai World Cup to be held on March 27.
At the closure of the free entry stage on January 13, a total of 1,951 entries have been received from 23 countries for the revamped eight race programme, highlighted by the 15th running of the US$10 million Dubai World Cup, the first to be held at Meydan Racecourse.
The Dubai World Cup, run for the first time on an all weather surface, Tapeta, attracted the highest number of nominations in its history, dual Eclipse Award winner GIO PONTI and Japanese champion VODKA prominent among the 288 entries received. The latter leads a powerful contingent from Japan which also includes the dual Classic winner and champion three-year-old filly BUENA VISTA, Japan Cup Dirt winner ESPOIR CITY and SUCCESS BROCKEN.
GLORIA DE CAMPEAO also returns for a third Dubai campaign hoping to go one better than his second placing to Well Armed last year while Godolphin’s REGAL RANSOM is among 34 entries from the stable and aiming to become the first horse to win the Dubai World Cup 12 months after a UAE Derby success. Hong Kong Cup first and second VISION D’ETAT and COLLECTION are also among the early entries.
The Dubai World Cup’s 288 entries come from 82 trainers and 15 countries, Saeed bin Suroor (34 entries) with the most number of nominations and one of seven trainers having tasted Dubai World Cup success previously, the others being Kiaran McLaughlin (four entries), Bill Mott (two), Steve Asmussen (one), Bob Baffert (seven), Eoin Harty (one), Sir Michael Stoute (two).
Among this year’s entries for the US$5 million Group 1 Dubai Duty Free are the first three-over-the-line from the 2009 renewal; GLADIATORUS, PRESVIS and ALEXANDROS. The three, along with the highly rated COURAGEOUS CAT are among a massive 400 entries from 19 countries.
The Dubai Duty Free and the US$5 million Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic traditionally attract a strong level of international entries and this year proves no different. Like the Dubai Duty Free, those prominent in the 2009 Dubai Sheema Classic are again among the entries for this year’s renewal which has attracted 242 nominations from 17 countries. The first seven home in 2009 are all aimed at the race in 2010 as are PRESIOUS PASSION from the USA and Europe’s outstanding filly DAR RE MI.
The Dubai Golden Shaheen has long been the domain of horses from the USA since 2000 including Breeders Cup Sprint winner DANCING IN SILKS. The race has proven popular with the 205 entries coming from 16 countries. Japan’s LAUREL GUERRIERO and Australia’s unbeaten filly BLACK CAVIAR will be attempting to halt American dominance of this race. Richard Mandella, trainer of the 2004 Dubai World Cup winner Pleasantly Perfect also has his eye on this race, with his charge CROWN OF THORNS entered here. For the first time this year, the Dubai Golden Shaheen will be run around a bend.
The addition to the programme of the Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint is proving to be extremely popular, with the race receiving 202 entries from 16 countries. ALL SILENT, BLACK CAVIAR, TURFFONTEIN and GOLD TRAIL are among a powerful group of 15 from Australia while Singapore’s star ROCKET MAN and Hong Kong champion SACRED KINGDOM are also entered. Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner CALIFORNIA FLAG, the globetrotting CANNONBALL, Prix de l’Abbaye winner TOTAL GALLERY and the outstanding South African OUR GIANT are also included.
Bob Baffert and owner Mike Pegram have tasted Dubai World Cup success with Captain Steve and their LOOKIN’ AT LUCKY, winner of the Eclipse Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Male of 2009 heads the 173 entries for the US$2 million Group 2 UAE Derby. Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor and South Africa’s Mike de Kock remain the only trainers to have prepared winners of the UAE Derby and unsurprisingly, both are well represented again. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner VALE OF YORK heads Godolphin’s 18 strong entry whilst South Africa’s Champion Two-Year-Old of last season, MUSIR is one of six entries from De Kock.
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner FURTHEST LAND heads a 61-strong USA entry for the US$1 million Group 2 Godolphin Mile, those entries among a total of 370 received from 16 countries. GAYEGO, second in the race last year, and stablemate MIDSHIPMAN are prominent among powerful entries from the UAE.
The US$250,000 Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for the Purebred Arabians has attracted a total of 71 entries, among them the winners of the two previous runnings in MIZZNA and FRYVOLOUS.

The first ever race at Meydan, the Group 1 Maktoum Challenge for Purebred Arabians was win in great style by No Risk Al Maury, owned by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum who also sponsored the race.
The winner was trained by Gill Duffield, while the same owner was also responsible for the runner-up Santhal, as well as the fourth Kandar Du Falgas. The owner’s retained jockey, Richard Hills, was aboard the winner and, coincidentally, partnering his 450th UAE winner in the process.
He was delighted: “Of course it is great to ride the first winner here and extra special now you have told me it was my 450th. This is a nice horse though and one we thought would love this new track.”
The Thoroughbred equivalent was won by Dubai International Racing Carnival regular Gloria De Campeao who battled bravely to land the spoils in the 1600m feature. Never far off the pace, he had to fight off several challenges, and was actually headed turning for home, but fought back to regain the advantage inside the final 100m.
His trainer Pascal Bary said: “This horse loves Dubai and never runs a bad race. We will be aiming him for the World Cup in which he was an excellent second last year.”
The first two Thoroughbred races went the way of the Mike De Kock/Christophe Soumillon/Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum combination with Raihana winning the 1400m UAE 1000 Guineas Trial, before Lizard’s Desire landed the 1950m handicap, from stable companion King of Rome.
De Kock said: “We thought they would all run well and it is obviously a great start to the Carnival. Raihana will go for the Guineas and we will decide what to do with Lizard’s Desire after the handicapper has had a look.”
Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon then combined with Drunken Sailor who won the 2200m handicap in good style to the delight of the trainer who said: “We were hopeful but nothing more. That is his first start for us.”
Another UK winner followed with Ted Durcan in the saddle on Sir Gerry, trained by John Best. Last turning for home, Durcan’s mount ran on strongly to lead close home and the jockey said: “He has done that nicely and clearly loves the surface.”
A third for the UK was registered in the last, a 1400m handicap, by Ryan Moore on the Jeremy Noseda-trained Leahurst.
Godolphin joined in the party in the 2000m handicap in which Frankie Dettori made all on Whispering Gallery to score a comprehensive success. A delighted jockey said: “This place is fantastic and going to be awesome. It is a big relief to get that first winner on the board.”
The Tapeta track was generally well received and winners on the night came from both high and low draws from off the pace and from those who raced prominently suggesting a fair chance for all.

Dubai, UAE, 20 January 2010 – Meydan yesterday held a trial race night at the world’s largest integrated racing facility; the Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in attendance. The successful and well-received trial is a precursor to the Dubai International Racing Carnival (DIRC), beginning on January 28. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was on hand to tour the facilities which included the racecourse and associated facilities, including the paddock, grandstand and jockey’s changing rooms.
Consisting of four races commencing at 6 pm, the trial saw 44 horses with a total of 16 jockeys racing over distances between 1200m and 2000m.
Chairman of the Board and CEO of Meydan Mr. Saeed Humaid Al-Tayer said: “We’ve seen some of the world’s finest talents in horseracing take to the tracks this evening, and we’re excited at the responses we’ve had to the conditions and facilities we’ve built. Feedback and suggestions from our partners in the industry is something we’ve always heeded and Meydan is a result of this collaborative effort. We are indeed excited to showcase it to the world when the races begin.”
Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Racing Club Frank G. Gabriel, Jr added, “We’re geared up for the start of the Dubai International Racing Carnival and want to thank all horsemen, staff, and everyone who’s been a partner to us for their support of Meydan and these trial races. We look forward to the opening of the tracks and racing facilities for the first meeting on the 28th of January.”
Champion jockey Frankie Dettori, Ted Durcan, Richard Hills, Pat Smullen, Kevin Shea and Kieren Fallon were amongst the first to ride at Meydan.
Frankie Dettori spoke of his experience between the races: “I’m gob smacked after what I’ve seen, and I just can’t find the words to describe the amazing experience of racing at the Meydan Racecourse, it’s just out of this world. The tracks are great and very even, and the lights are beautiful. I absolutely loved it.”
Kieren Fallon shared his sentiments: “Meydan Racecourse has a beautiful surface which is very well covered even as you’re coming round the bends, and I can’t wait to get on the grass! It was really a joy to ride on this track and I really loved it. Santa Anita has one of my favourite tracks in the world, and this track is probably every bit just as good, if not better. It couldn’t be better. To just get out there on the turf now would be really exciting.”
Ted Durcan added: “The layout of the track is super and the rides all went great. I think it’ll suit all horses and you have to be really enthusiastic about everything, I’m really impressed”.
Thrilled with his experience and looking forward to the start of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival, Richard Hills said: “I think the track rode very well and the saddling area looks in good condition. Full marks on everything!”
World-renowned trainer Mike De Kock also concurred that the trial race night was a resounding success.
De Kock said: “We’ve received really positive feedback from the jockeys that the surface is fantastic. It was very good to have the trials as it was a good experience, especially to get a feel of the long walk from the barns and through the tunnels.”
Champion UAE trainer Doug Watson added: “Everyone was really positive about their experience at the trials. I haven’t been a big synthetic fan but have received very good feedback from the jockeys. All our horses ran and finished nicely, so now we’re just ready to race for the money.”