Green light for Calandagan, who travels to Dubai for the Sheema Classic

The superb Aga Khan runner will ultimately take part at Meydan; meanwhile, Docklands and Skukuza have been withdrawn

Calandagan will travel this Friday to Dubai / ASCOT

PARIS, France (Special to Turf Diario).— The 2026 Dubai World Cup (G1) continues to shape its buildup in a delicate balance between sporting excellence and a complex geopolitical context. In this scenario, the confirmation of Calandagan as a runner in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) has provided a significant boost for a meeting that, despite the difficulties, maintains its prestige intact.

The world champion, owned by Aga Khan Studs and trained by Francis Graffard, finally received the green light to travel to the United Arab Emirates after several days of evaluation by his connections. The decision, made this Friday morning by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and the management team, cleared up one of the major uncertainties leading into the March 28 meeting at Meydan.

"We are very happy with Calandagan. He is in great shape, and this race was always his goal for his seasonal debut," explained racing manager Nemone Routh, confirming that the horse will arrive at his peak following a workout at Saint-Cloud a few days ago.

The news is significant. Amidst a conflict that has affected international logistics and conditioned the movement of horses and professionals, the presence of one of the top figures in the world rankings reinforces the appeal of a Sheema Classic that promises to be of the highest level.

However, the context continues to weigh heavily. Since late March, the Emirates have been the target of drone and missile attacks amid the escalation between Iran, the United States, and Israel. While defense systems have intercepted the vast majority of threats—more than 2,000 projectiles—and damage in Dubai has been limited, the impact on commercial aviation and international racing logistics has been evident.

Several airlines have reduced operations to the region, while others, such as Emirates, are maintaining limited services. This has forced connections, owners, and trainers to make last-minute decisions, weighing risks and opportunities in a shifting environment.

In this context, not all news has been positive.

Contenders such as Docklands (Massaat) and Skukuza (Blue Point) were withdrawn from their engagements on the big day, while the British-based Pride Of Arras (New Bay) will also not travel, as confirmed by trainer Ralph Beckett, after failing to reach the expected level in the preceding days.

Even so, the Sheema Classic maintains a core of extraordinary quality. Heavyweights already in Dubai include Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi) and Royal Power (Frankel), representing Godolphin, as well as the consistent West Wind Blows (Teofilo) and Ethical Diamond (Awtaad), winner of the most recent Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). From Newmarket, the arrival of Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) and Survie (Churchill) is also expected, rounding out a competitive field despite the absences.

Parallel to this, the French filly Rayevka (Blue Point) will take part in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1), having remained in Dubai since Super Saturday, a day that coincided with the onset of hostilities.

Thus, between confirmations and withdrawals, the 2026 Dubai World Cup meeting moves toward its big day with a different narrative, shaped by external factors that have reduced the volume of participants but not necessarily the quality.

Because if one thing is clear, it is that even in times of uncertainty, global turf finds a way to sustain its spectacle.

And at Meydan, once again, the world will be watching.