Forever Young, Ombudsman, and Rebel's Romance are stars in the making for the DWC

The likely fields for the 30th Dubai World Cup meeting on March 28 have been revealed, featuring a world-class roster of international stars

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

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special to Turf Diario).— The countdown is on for the 30th edition of the Dubai World Cup, but this time the road to Meydan has not been the usual one. Amidst a sensitive geopolitical context in the Gulf, which conditioned logistical movements and decisions for several international teams, the world's richest meeting arrives with a high-quality roster... although somewhat more limited in quantity.

This is not just any Dubai World Cup. It is an anniversary edition, with all that implies. But it is also a meeting that had to adapt to an external scenario that, while not affecting the essence of the show, did partially limit the usual flow of horses from different corners of the world.

Even so, quality is guaranteed.

The main event, the Dubai World Cup (G1-2000 m, dirt, US$ 12,000,000 purse), would have a field reduced to 9 participants, but with names of enormous specific weight.

There will be the reigning champion Hit Show (Candy Ride), who will attempt to become only the second horse to repeat victory in the history of the race. Facing him appears one of the great figures of the moment: the Japanese Forever Young (Real Steel), winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic and now a global reference on dirt, with his double in the Saudi Cup (G1) in between.

The American representation also adds the G2 winner Magnitude (Not This Time), while the local defense relies on two high-ranking names like Walk Of Stars (Dubawi) and Imperial Emperor (Dubawi), both G1 winners with full knowledge of the Meydan track.

But if the World Cup presents strong names, the rest of the program is not far behind.

The Dubai Sheema Classic (G1-2400 m, turf, US$ 6,000,000) could center around the sensational Calandagan(Gleneagles), whose 2025 campaign ended on a high note with a victory in the Japan Cup (G1). Opposite him will be, among others, the tireless Rebel's Romance (Dubawi), a 9-time G1 winner, and the hero of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), Ethical Diamond (Awtaad).

In the Dubai Turf (G1-1800 m, turf, US$ 5,000,000), the international mix is present once again with multiple G1 winner Ombudsman (Night of Thunder), the Briton Docklands (Massaat) —winner of the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot— and the always dangerous Facteur Cheval (Ribchester), who prevailed in the 2024 version of this same competition.

The sprint races also promise high voltage. The Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1-1200 m, dirt, US$ 2,000,000) will bring together the Breeders’ Cup Sprint champion, Bentornato (Valiant Minister), against the local Tuz (Speightstown), winner in 2024, while the Al Quoz Sprint (G1-1200 m, turf, US$ 1,500,000) will feature Lazzat (Territories) and Khaadem (Dark Angel).

Also entered for the Dubai Golden Shaheen is the Chilean Mufasa (Practical Joke), the only South American representative that could be part of the party. Meanwhile, in the Al Quoz, Julio Olascoaga and Antonio Cintra would be present with Arabie (Dandy Man), perhaps with Francisco Leandro in the irons.

The UAE Derby (G2-1900 m, dirt, US$ 1,000,000), with points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1), has Six Speed (Not This Time) as the big candidate, ready to face the filly Labwah (Charlatan) and the Japanese Pyromancer (Pyro).

In turn, the Godolphin Mile (G2-1600 m, dirt, US$ 1,000,000) features references such as the American Banishing(Ghostzapper) and Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn), and the Dubai Gold Cup (G2-3200 m, turf, US$ 1,000,000) will have the prominent presence of Tower of London (Galileo), Al Riffa (Dubawi), Dubai Future (Dubawi) and Sunway (Galiway).

“We are delighted to see horses from so many countries in this historic edition,” noted Erwan Charpy, responsible for international relations at the Dubai Racing Club. “Having returning champions like Hit Show, Rebel’s Romance, Tuzand Forever Young is very special.”

And it is. Because beyond the absences —inevitable in a context where transfers, security and global planning have been more complex— the Dubai World Cup once again demonstrates its drawing power.

There will be fewer horses, yes. But there will be great horses.

And in the end, as always at Meydan, that is what really matters.