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World Attention Focuses on Grass Races in Dubai

The $20 million Dubai World Cup (G1) and the UAE Derby (G2) often take the lion’s share of the attention on the big night at Meydan Racecourse but, for much of the rest of the world, it’s the turf racing in the spotlight.

No wonder, either, as the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T) and $5 million Dubai Turf (G1T) annually attract the best talent from racing jurisdictions where grass is all-important.

The March 30 renewals of those races are no exception. And Coolmore’s decision to bring 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) winner Auguste Rodin  back for the Sheema Classic as the start of an ambitious international, multisurface campaign only adds luster.

Last year’s English and Irish Derby (both G1) winner is by the late Japanese stallion Deep Impact, out of star Coolmore mare Rhododendron , herself a daughter of the late Galileo. Trainer Aidan O’Brien marveled at how well Auguste Rodin got over the Santa Anita Park dirt while training for the Breeders’ Cup last autumn and speculation centers on him targeting the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar.

Success on American dirt, piled on his turf prowess, would make Auguste Rodin a tempting stallion prospect in either hemisphere on both sides of the equator.

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“The horse did all his own talking on the track last year,” O’Brien said from his Ballydoyle base in Ireland. “But we really do think that he is a very important horse for the Thoroughbred breed. It is a huge thrill to have him back and we can’t wait to see him race.” 

The 4-year-old must start, though, by handling a tremendous field on the turf in the Sheema Classic.

There’s a dynamite group from Japan including 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf third Shahryar ; filly Triple Crown winner Liberty Island, who was second to Equinox  in the Japan Cup (G1); Japan Cup third Stars on Earth; and Justin Palace, second to Equinox in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) in October.

Trainers John and Thady Gosden have the 2023 Coronation Cup (G1) winner and Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) runner-up Emily Upjohn  on a European squad that also includes trainer Richard Fahey’s Spirit Dancer , last seen winning the Neom Turf Cup (G2T) in Saudi Arabia Feb. 24.

Junko , a group 1 winner in Germany and Hong Kong in 2023, represents France and trainer Andre Fabre, and 2021 German Derby (G1) winner Sisfahan  carries German colors.

The Arabian Peninsula is far from out of things as Charlie Appleby has entered 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance  for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin, and Simca Mille , winner of the 2023 Grosser Preis von Berlin (G1), comes from Qatar with trainer Alban de Mieulle.

Lord North Seeks Fourth Dubai Turf Win

The Dubai Turf field, if anything, is more competitive and just as talented.

Lord North  is looking for an unprecedented fourth straight win in the race. Trained by the father-and-son Gosden duo, Lord North lives for the Dubai Turf. It was his only start during all of 2021 and he won by three lengths. In 2022 he survived a photo to win in a dead heat with Panthalassa . Last year, he rallied for a three-quarter-length win.

Lord North and Frankie Dettori walk back to the quarantine barns after exercising on the tapeta training track at Meydan on Wednesday morning<br>
Dubai 27.3.24 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post

Lord North and Frankie Dettori will aim for their fourth Dubai Turf win at Meydan Racecourse

The 8-year-old warmed up for the Dubai Turf with a runner-up showing on the British all-weather in the Feb. 24 Winter Derby (G3).

“He’s old now,” Thady Gosden said at Meydan March 27. “You have to treat him with a bit of respect. You can’t run him every week.”

Lord North faces another top Japanese squad featuring 2023 Arima Kinen (G1) winner Do Deuce, 2023 Dubai Turf runner-up Danon Beluga , and two others.

Aidan O’Brien throws into the mix Luxembourg , a multiple group 1 winner who finished second to Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup (G1) in December, and the ever-promising Cairo .

Hong Kong visitors Voyage Bubble and Straight Arron will try to continue that jurisdiction’s recent international success.

Measured Time  represents Godolphin and Appleby.

The only American horse in either race, Catnip , appears in this field. The Michael Stidham trainee, a 5-year-old by Kitten’s Joy, was a grade 3 winner in 2023 at Monmouth Park and most recently finished a close third behind Warm Heart  and the progressive I’m Very Busy  in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) at Gulfstream Park. A repeat of that performance could make him a factor for at least a minor award.

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