26th Dubai World Cup meeting attracts best in business

As many as 32 Group 1 winners figure among a star-studded list of equine athletes likely to line-up in this Saturday’s nine race Dubai World Cup card at Meydan Racecourse on March 26.

American superstar Life Is Good headlines a high quality field of 11 runners for the 26th running of the G1 $12 million Dubai World Cup (sponsored by Emirates Airline), the highlight of the evening.

A winner of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup on his last two starts, the Todd Pletcher-trained Life Is Good faces stiff opposition from three of his compatriots. They are Doug O’Neill’s Hot Rod Charlie, who has been based in Dubai since January and took the G2 Maktoum Challenge R2 last time, as well as Bob Baffert’s Country Grammer and the Steve Asmussen-trained Midnight Bourbon, second and third in the G1 Saudi Cup three weeks’ ago.

“We are delighted with the strength of the entries for the 26th Dubai World Cup meeting,” said Major General Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, General Manager of Dubai Racing Club. “We have strength and depth across all nine races and it’s wonderful to have so many different countries represented.

“We are also extremely happy to be able to welcome back a capacity crowd for the first time since 2019 and we hope that everyone will enjoy a superb evening of racing.”

An international line-up also sees participation from Uruguay, with G1 Premio Latinoamericano winner Aero Trem taking his chance for trainer Antonio Cintra, while last year’s second and third return; Chuwa Wizard for Japan and Magny Cours, trained in France by Andre Fabre.

There are three UAE-based runners; G2 Zabeel Mile winner Real World represents trainer Saeed Bin Surour, a nine-time winner of this race, while Hypothetical and Remorse, who finished first and second in the G1 Maktoum Challenge Round 3 last time out, go for Salem Bin Ghadayer and Bhupat Seemar. The sole UK raider is the William Haggas-trained Grocer Jack.