G1 Dubai Sheema Classic

Back in competitive action for the first time since being crowned Longines World's Best Racehorses for 2025, Calandagan (Gleaneagles) signalled that he won't be giving up his crown without a fight when reeling in longshot West Wind Blows (Teofilo) to avenge last year's defeat in the $6-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Saturday. Runner-up to Danon Decile (Epiphaneia) 12 months ago, Calandagan was a warm order to go one place better in this six-strong field and register a fifth consecutive Group 1 success for Francis-Henri Graffard and...

Saturday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 8.45 p.m., DUBAI WORLD CUP SPONSORED BY EMIRATES AIRLINE-G1, $12,000,000, NH4yo/up, SH3yo, 2000m Field: Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steal {Jpn}), Magnitude (Not This Time), Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Imperial Emperor (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), Walk Of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Heart Of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), Tap Leader (Tapiture). TDN Analysis: A disappointing third to Hit Show last spring, Forever Young has another chance to become the first horse to complete the Saudi Cup/Dubai World Cup double,...

Saturday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 8.45 p.m., DUBAI WORLD CUP SPONSORED BY EMIRATES AIRLINE-G1, $12,000,000, NH4yo/up, SH3yo, 2000m Field: Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steal {Jpn}), Magnitude (Not This Time), Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Imperial Emperor (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), Walk Of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Heart Of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), Tap Leader (Tapiture). TDN Analysis: A disappointing third to Hit Show last spring, Forever Young has another chance to become the first horse to complete the Saudi Cup/Dubai World Cup double,...

Saturday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 8.45 p.m., DUBAI WORLD CUP SPONSORED BY EMIRATES AIRLINE-G1, $12,000,000, NH4yo/up, SH3yo, 2000m Field: Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steal {Jpn}), Magnitude (Not This Time), Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Imperial Emperor (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), Walk Of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Heart Of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), Tap Leader (Tapiture). TDN Analysis: A disappointing third to Hit Show last spring, Forever Young has another chance to become the first horse to complete the Saudi Cup/Dubai World Cup double,...

Hong Kong Vase hero Giavellotto is pleasing his connections in advance of a fourth-straight appearance on Dubai World Cup night on Saturday. Affectionately known as Chicken around the Marco Botti yard, the seven-year-old son of Mastercraftsman ran second in the Vase in 2025. After running ninth and fifth in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, he ran fifth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic last term. In this year's edition, he will lock horns with the Longines World's Best Racehorse, G1 Japan Cup star Calandagan...

The Aga Khan Studs' Calandagan (Gleneagles) has been cleared to travel to the UAE and contest the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan next week. Rated the Longines World's Best Racehorse of 2025, the gelding won the G1 Japan Cup, among other triumphs closer to home last term. The familiar green and red silks will also be carried by Rayevka (Blue Point), who is already based in Dubai ahead of the G1 Al Quoz Sprint. Nemone Routh, racing manager for the family, said, "We've been very happy with Calandagan. "This...

American and Japanese champion Forever Young (Real Steel) and the Longines World's Best Racehorse Calandagan (Gleneagles) lead the nominations for the Dubai World Cup night on March 28. Japan's dirt superstar is nominated for the G1 Dubai World Cup alongside 2024 winner Laurel River (Into Mischief) and 2025 winner Hit Show (Candy Ride), among others. In the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic is Calandagan, alongside 2024 Sheema Classic winner Rebel's Romance (Dubawi), GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Ethical Diamond (Awtaad), and 2025 winner Danon Decile (Epiphaneia). Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black),...

Previews by Alan Carasso, Brian Sheerin, Adam Houghton & Heather Anderson DUBAI, UAE -- After Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) overcame a torrid trip to take out the G2 UAE Derby some 373 days ago, big-spending Japanese owner Susumu Fujita boldly commented: "Looking forward, I would like to underline that I would like to win the Dubai World Cup." If ante-post markets are to be believed, those dreams are likely to become reality under the Saturday evening lights at Meydan Racecourse, as Forever Young is expected to jump a...

Multiple group winner Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) pleased his connections with a strong gallop at Saint-Cloud on Thursday, according to trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. The Aga Khan runner is pointing toward the $6-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Apr. 5. "All winter we decided he was a horse for the Sheema Classic," the trainer told Dubai Racing Club. "Unfortunately we have trial races at Chantilly on the polytrack and the difference between the two races was too big and I would have had to rush him coming out of...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a son of a G1 Sheema Classic heroine. 15.05 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 3yo, c/g, 10fT Francis Graffard trainee DOLNIMOUR (FR) (Frankel {GB}) is a son of G1 Dubai Sheema Classic heroine Dolniya (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}) and thus kin to three black-type performers headed by G1...

Nominations for Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on Apr. 5 were released this week. Headlining the nine-race card is the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline. A total of 173 horses have been entered, led by 20 Group/Grade 1 winners. The winners from 2023 and 2024, Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Laurel River (Into Mischief), respectively, have signed on, as did the world's highest-earning horse, Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who drubbed a good field in the G1 Jebel...

Scuderia la Tesa and Vaibhav Shah's Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is targeting the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night, Apr. 5. Said trainer Marco Botti of his new G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase hero, "I think we'll skip Saudi for sure and head to Dubai. After the other day we'll think about the Sheema Classic, that will be his next target all being well. "He is definitely a horse who enjoys travelling. He enjoys being away from the yard and it gives us chance to target those...