Forever Young and Romantic Warrior shine in another spectacular Dubai World Cup meeting

The Japanese and Hong Kong stars are set to contest the main event and the Dubai Turf (G1), respectively, on a night filled with stars at a magnificent and magical venue

Forever Young, the top contender for the Dubai World Cup / DRC

By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special correspondent for Turf Diario in Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (From a special correspondent).- The Dubai World Cup (G1-2000 m, dirt, US$ 12,000,000) meeting is undoubtedly one of the greatest events in the world. This incredible and magnificent city provides a unique backdrop, but when the gates open, the real magic happens.

Meydan must be the best racetrack in the world, and while there may be some objections, no one can deny that it is the most spectacular. There, on its two remarkable tracks, champions battle for millions and glory, while the atmosphere in the stands is like no other. If you’re a horse racing enthusiast and have the chance, you should experience it live at least once; you’ll return home as if you’ve been to Disney.

This Saturday, the curtain will rise again on the desert celebration, marking the end of the major season in this part of the world, which solidifies each year with the important detail of offering an opportunity for countries that may not always be in the spotlight.

With Meydan at the forefront and the Saudi Cup (G1) now a classic of the European winter, Bahrain and Qatar also contribute to ensure that the Middle East is on a growth spiral in the turf world.

A new Dubai World Cup will be run, the race that the unforgettable Cigar (Palace Music) won in its inaugural edition and that twelve months ago saw Laurel River (Into Mischief) take the title. The latter will not be able to defend the crown due to an injury, and in his place, the role of favorite goes to the Japanese Forever Young.

Pure class, the son of Real Steel returns to the track where twelve months ago he beat the Argentine Auto Bahn(Asiatic Boy) in the UAE Derby (G1), having triumphed over Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in the aforementioned Saudi Cup, and now solidified as one of the top three dirt horses in the world, if not the best.

Can the credit of the likable and talkative Yoshito Yahagi lose? Honestly, unless something unusual happens, no. But as always, races are races, and they must be run. This gives hope to the Americans Rattle N Show (Connect), Katonah(Klimt), and Mixto (Good Magic), the locals Walk of Stars (Dubawi) and Imperial Emperor (Dubawi), and the indefatigable Ushba Tesoro (Orvebre), the 2023 winner who, at 8 years old, is still fighting.

In the midst of all these great horses, two South Americans will compete in the Godolphin Mile (G2): the Argentine Oasis Boy (Asiatic Boy) and the Chilean Mufasa (Practical Joke), whose chances are separately discussed in this edition.

The marquee of the DWC will be shared by Forever Young and Romantic Warrior, the Hong Kong star who finished just behind him in the Saudi Cup and is now returning to the turf, his preferred surface, to claim the Dubai Turf (G1-1800 m, US$ 5,000,000).

The Dubai Sheema Classic (G1-2410 m, turf, US$ 6,000,000) also won’t be left behind in terms of stars, as Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi), Godolphin’s champion, holder of the latest Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), will aim to be the first to win this race in consecutive editions.

The speed of the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1-1200 m, dirt, US$ 2,000,000) will pit local idol Tuz (Oxbow) against Straight No Chaser (Speightster), the number one sprinter from the United States, while in the UAE Derby (G2-1800 m, dirt, US$ 1,000,000), the American Flood Zone (Frosted) will face the Emiratis and the Japanese.

In the Al Quoz Sprint (G1-1200 m, turf, US$ 1,500,000), the Gosden duo traveled from Newmarket with the G1 winners Audience (Iffraaj) and Marbaan (Oasis Dream), the latter coming back to shorter distances after an outstanding season at Meydan.

The Dubai Gold Cup (G2-3200 m, US$ 1,000,000) will open the festival of classics with a strong field of veteran stayers, and just before, the Arab Tilal Al Khalediah (Laith Al Khalediah) will also try to defend his title in the Dubai Kahayla Classic (G1-2000 m, dirt, US$ 1,000,000), with the reputation of being the Frankel of the Arabian breed.