Continuous, the lone representative of Coolmore and Aidan O'Brien at Meydan, is set to take aim at the Dubai Gold Cup

The trainer and the stable aim to win the distance race at the World Cup meeting for the third consecutive season

Continuous, winner of the English St Leger, is set to compete for the Dubai Gold Cup / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario) – The last two editions of the Dubai Gold Cup (G2), the long-distance turf race at the Dubai World Cup (G1) meeting, were claimed by Aidan O’Brien, and this Saturday, the legendary Irish trainer will attempt to secure his third consecutive victory with Continuous, the heavy favorite for the race.

The Heart’s Cry colt is an experienced traveler, with an international campaign that includes a ninth-place finish in the Hong Kong Vase (G1) in December and a promising third-place finish in the Red Sea Turf Handicap (G3) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this February, behind the Japanese Byzantine Dream (Epiphaneia).

That performance over 2800 meters made it clear that a return to long-distance races would be ideal for the winner of the historic St Leger (G1) in 2023, and the conditions he will face this time seem to suit his needs perfectly.

During the morning workouts on Wednesday at Meydan, Continuous went out for a light trot on the dirt track, although this time without his usual training companion, Ghostwriter (Invincible Spirit).

“We’re very happy with him, he’s adapted well to the track and the environment,” said Pat Keating, head of the international travels for O’Brien’s team. “Everything is in order. He’s just been keeping in motion, as all the heavy work was done before traveling. Since Saudi Arabia, he’s been in great form.”

O’Brien’s recent record in the race is impeccable: he won it for the first time in 2023 with Broome (Australia), who still holds the circuit record, and repeated the success in 2024 with Tower of London (Galileo). This Saturday, with Continuous, he will attempt to seal an unprecedented three-peat.

It’s worth noting that Continuous will be O’Brien and Team Ballydoyle’s only entry at the Dubai World Cup meeting, in a season where they did not target the major races in the region.