G1 Dubai Turf

Cairo Purchased By Kuwait's Refai Alghuraban Ahead Of Dubai Turf Bid

Group 3 winner Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road) has been purchased by Refai Alghuraban, a leading owner in Kuwait. The deal was brokered by Avenue Bloodstock's Mark McStay. Successful in the G3 Killavullan S. in 2022 for the Coolmore partners and trainer Aidan O'Brien, the bay was second in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas to Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) last May. He kick-started his 4-year-old campaign in his 10th lifetime start with a close runner-up effort in the $500,000 Listed Irish Marketing Cup in Doha, Qatar, in February. The son of...

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Lord North Treads A Familiar Path

It is the G3 Winter Derby, so it must be time for the return from hibernation of the Clarehaven stalwart and late-winter specialist Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Gearing up for his attempt at a fourth consecutive G1 Dubai Turf, the 8-year-old will be reunited with Robert Havlin who has partnered him in the last two editions of this prize formerly staged over 10 furlongs at Lingfield. Now at Southwell with an extra furlong added on, it will represent a different test for the high-class veteran whose probable limit is...

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Coronation Cup Eyed for Emily Upjohn Comeback

John and Thady Gosden's Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will possibly return in Epsom's G1 Coronation Cup June 2 as her first start since capturing the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Oct. 15. She was initially set to return in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan but missed the opportunity having not come to hand as quickly as liked and returns to Epsom after being narrowly denied when sent off the 6-4 favourite for the Oaks at the Surrey venue last year. "She ran a...

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Will Eight Be Enough For Japan In Dubai World Cup?

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -- My, oh my, how times have changed. When the G1 Dubai World Cup was introduced at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse back in 1996, its $4 million in prize-money equaled that on offer for that year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic and an American clean sweep of the top three placings--won by the legendary Cigar after an unforgettable final-furlong battle with compatriot Soul of the Matter--really and truly put the race on the map. The locally owned Halling, one of four in the race for a trainer...

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In Historic First, Fipke's Shirl's Speight To Run In February S. In Japan

Charles Fipke's Grade I winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Shirl's Speight (Speightstown) will become the first foreign horse to ever run in Japan's G1 February S., Fipke's advisor Sid Fernando confirmed to the TDN Thursday afternoon. Set for Feb. 19, the race is over a mile on the dirt, and trainer Roger Attfield and Fipke are both set to travel to the Tokyo showpiece. "He's going," Fernando said of the 2022 GI Maker's Mark Mile hero. "He's doing well with Roger Attfield down in Florida." The February S. is one...

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Group 1 Winner Panthalassa Targets Saudi Cup

2022 G1 Dubai Turf dead-heater Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) will be pointed at the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup in Riyadh on Feb. 25, www.tospo-keiba.jp reported on Tuesday. The news was revealed by the 5-year-old's trainer Yoshito Yahagi. Panthalassa, who races for Hiroo Race Co., Ltd., was originally aiming for a defence of his G1 Dubai Turf title. If his Saudi expedition goes well, Panthalassa will then head to the G1 Dubai World Cup on Mar. 25. Yahagi told Tospo-Keiba, "He is rated 121, and a one-turn left-handed 1800 meters...

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Country Grammer, Life Is Good to WinStar for R&R

Following their performances in the GI Dubai World Cup, beaten favorite Life Is Good (Into Mischief) and race winner Country Grammer (Tonalist) are on their way to WinStar Farm for a freshening before they return to serious training. WinStar President and CEO Elliott Walden estimated that their stay at the farm will last from 30 to 45 days. WinStar is the co-owner of both horses. Colonel Liam (Liam's Map), who finished ninth in the GI Dubai Turf, is also being sent to WinStar. The heavy favorite in the wagering, Life...

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Dead Heat Between Panthalassa and Lord North in the Dubai Turf

In a race for the ages that three horses deserved to win, the brave pacesetter Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and defending champ Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) could not be separated and a dead-heat was eventually declared. A full eight minutes passed after a course-record smashing renewal of the $5-million G1 Dubai Turf before a stunned Meydan Racecourse audience knew which of the trio had emerged victorious in a desperately close finish. Sparkling trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who was savoring his third win on the card, exclaimed, "We've had a...

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Dubai World Cup Night Card Attracts 32 Group 1 Winners

The likely fields for the nine group races (one Arabian and eight Thoroughbred) of the $30.5-million Dubai World Cup night card on Mar. 26, were revealed on Thursday. A total of 32 Group/Grade 1 winners will take part in the Meydan showpiece. Todd Pletcher trainee Life Is Good (Into Mischief), a winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S., anchors the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airlines. Fellow Americans joining him in the field are Grade I winners Hot Rod...

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Dubai Turf Next For Saffron Beach

Group 1 winner Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) is targeting the G1 Dubai Turf on Mar. 26. Trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, the chestnut won both her starts at two, including the G3 Oh So Sharp S. She resumed last April with a second in the G3 Nell Gwyn S. and was runner-up to Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the G1 1000 Guineas on May 2. Off the board in the G1 Oaks and G1 Falmouth S. in June and July, respectively, the Sangster family and J. Wigan colourbearer...

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Mishriff, Mystic Guide Top Longines World Rankings

After impressive displays during the Dubai World Cup card, Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and TDN Rising Star Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) share the top spot with a 122 ranking in the second edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2021. The rankings are compiled by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Mishriff, who led the rankings following his victory in the Saudi Cup, switched back to turf and won the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic next time out....

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Lord North Bound For Dubai Turf

Group 1 winner Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will step forward in the G1 Dubai Turf over 1800 metres on Mar. 27, Racing Post reported on Monday. Trainer John Gosden accepted an invitation for the race for the Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing colourbearer. A winner of the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. last June, the bay was third in the G1 Juddmonte Internatioanl S. a month later. Unplaced in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. on Oct. 17, he was a solid fourth in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf...

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