Hit Show, the son of Candy Ride seeking his second Dubai World Cup

The Wathnan Racing gray appears solid during the Meydan mornings, aiming to repeat his 2025 victory and once again overcome the Japanese star Forever Young

Hit Show feels right at home at Meydan / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— Twelve months after shaking the horse racing world at Meydan, Hit Show returns to the stage where he built the greatest victory of his career. That memorable stretch run in the Dubai World Cup (G1), guided with surgical precision by Florent Geroux, surprised many... but not his team.

For Wathnan Racing, the success of the son of the Argentine star Candy Ride was not a stroke of luck, but the confirmation of an ambitious project. “It was something very exciting. The goal was always to win races that make the Emir of Qatar and his family proud. That night we achieved it,” recalled Case Clay, racing manager for the stable.

The image of that final straight remains fresh. Turning for home, Hit Show only had Ushba Tesoro (Orfevre), the 2023 champion, behind him. But with patience and gaps that began to open, he found the right path to charge and overtake Mixto (Good Magic) and a Forever Young (Real Steel) who lacked the necessary strength to defend his status as favorite.

Now, the challenge is different: defending the title. And he arrives with strong arguments. In his last outing, the Brad Cox trainee prevailed in the Mineshaft Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds, showing a more composed version from the start, something that had been a weak point in Dubai. Then, Geroux settled him into a comfortable rhythm, respecting his come-from-behind running style.

2025 had also left positive signs with his victory in the Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland for the second consecutive year, within a demanding campaign in the United States.

“After Dubai, we took him to Kentucky to see how he responded, and Brad told us he remained perfect. As long as he is like that, he will continue racing,” Clay explained.

The plan, in fact, will not change much: “He is a horse that travels very well. We are going to handle him the same as last year. If he needs rest, he will have it, but he seems to like the activity.”

With Geroux once again in the irons, the strategy will be open: “He is a versatile horse and Florent knows him very well. There won't be many instructions. He will read the race and decide,” Clay anticipated.

Of course, the context will be demanding. Forever Young, currently considered the best horse in the world, returns seeking revenge. And there is also Magnitude (Not This Time), the Steve Asmussen pupil, who already beat him in the Clark Stakes (G1) in a thrilling finish.

“Forever Young is the best in the world, no doubt about it. And Magnitude is a special horse. But Hit Show has nothing to fear. He already proved he can win this race and that he likes the track,” he assured.

As backup, Wathnan Racing will also feature Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), another runner in great form. The Hamad Al Jehani trainee is coming off a third-place finish in the Saudi Cup (G1) and a second in the Al Maktoum Challenge, confirming his growth in the Middle East.

“He is a very gritty horse. He always fights. We are very proud of him,” Clay commented. With James Doyle in the saddle, the son of Oscar Performance appears as a secondary but dangerous card:

“He has improved a lot in his recent works. The race is extremely tough, but I wouldn't rule him out.”

Thus, the Dubai World Cup once again gathers its protagonists on a stage loaded with recent history. For Hit Show, the objective is clear: to prove that 2025 was not an isolated strike, but the confirmation of a horse capable of sustaining himself at the top. Because winning once can be a surprise. But repeating... that is greatness.