Tuz and Mixto Carry Historic Calumet Farm’s Hopes on Dubai World Cup Night

The yellow and black colors of the American stable will aim to shine once again on the international stage with two horses from their breeding program

Tuz, the best sprinter in the United Arab Emirates / DRC

DUBAI, UAE – (Special for Turf Diario) (DWC Media Team) – When it comes to the legendary Calumet Farm, names like Citation (Bull Lea), Whirlaway (Blenheim), Tim Tam (Tom Fool), and the unforgettable Alydar (Raise a Native) immediately come to mind.

Today, under the guidance of businessman Brad Kelley, the iconic stable continues to leave its mark in both breeding and racing. This Saturday, Calumet will have two representatives on Dubai World Cup Night: one bred on their own pastures, and the other flying their black silks with gold trim in the day’s premier event.

Calumet is the breeder of Tuz, the defending champion in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), a son of Oxbow—a stallion purchased by Kelley and his team for $250,000 as a yearling at Keeneland in 2011 before going on to win the Preakness Stakes (G1) in 2013. Tuz, on the other hand, was bought for just $7,000 at Keeneland in 2018, an incredibly low price for a horse of his caliber.

"It’s always a great satisfaction to see a horse you’ve bred succeed on the track," said Eddie Kane, General Manager of Calumet Farm, who was responsible for purchasing Oxbow. "Breeding is why we’re in this game, and it’s even more special when it’s a son of a stallion we bought as a yearling. It’s always a pleasure to see that."

The horses bred by Calumet Farm surpassed $13 million in earnings during 2024, ranking second only to Godolphinamong North American breeders.

Calumet’s other hopeful in Meydan is Mixto, acquired for $140,000 at the Ocala breeze-up sales in April 2022. His sire, Good Magic, has already produced Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winners. Although Mixtodidn’t show his full potential on synthetic tracks during the auction, his purchase was backed by the recommendation of consignor Paul Sharp.

"Mr. Kelley likes the sons of Good Magic, and although Mixto didn’t have the best finish in the breeze, Paul Sharp, a great expert, told us, 'Eddie, I promise you he’s much better on the dirt,'" Kane recalled. "That helped us decide to buy him. From day one, Doug O’Neill [his trainer] has been thrilled with him."

Although it took Mixto seven attempts to secure his first victory, he was always treated as an elite horse and confirmed the team’s faith with a standout win in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, covering the same 1 1/4 miles as the Dubai World Cup (G1), and defeating Full Serrano (Full Mast), who would go on to win the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Kane is confident his charge can repeat a similar performance this weekend, with an added reason for optimism: he’ll be ridden by Frankie Dettori, a true expert on the Meydan dirt.

"Hopefully he’ll have a great race, and it’s reassuring to know Frankie will be riding him for us," said Kane.

The Italian jockey has won the Dubai World Cup four times, including his victory in 2022 with Country Grammer (Tonalist).