Meydaan wants the glory of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan, and it is not a play on words...

The son of Frankel switched to the dirt and was unstoppable in winning the Al Maktoum Challenge (G2); now, he is raising the stakes

Meydaan won with ease in his debut on the dirt / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— Not all paths toward the Dubai World Cup (G1) are linear. Some, like Meydaan's, are built from unexpected decisions, bold bets, and turns that completely change a horse's destiny.

Because if one thing seemed clear after his time in Australia, it was that Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s representative was destined for long distances on the turf. Before a campaign that ended with a disappointing participation in the Australian Melbourne Cup (G1), he was being pointed toward objectives such as the Dubai Gold Cup (G2) or even the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1).

However, the team of Simon and Ed Crisford chose another path. A risky one. One that turned out to be brilliant.

The jump from turf to dirt, combined with a drastic reduction in distance to 2000 meters, was the key move. And the result could not have been better: in the Al Maktoum Challenge (G2) during Super Saturday, Meydaan dominated with authority to win by 5 1/4 lengths, in a performance that projected him directly toward the great night at Meydan. And, although it seems like a play on words, it is not.

“It was a significant change, but we decided to try it. The Sheikh was very interested in testing something different with him,” explained Ed Crisford.

The performance backed the decision: “He moves very well on the dirt and won impressively. The World Cup will be extremely tough, with Forever Young (Real Steel), who is the best horse in the world, but we believe he can run very well.”

In that victory, he left behind, among others, Walk Of Stars (Dubawi), Tap Leader (Tapiture), and Heart Of Honor(Honor A.P.), all of whom are in the lineup again this Saturday, adding an interesting hint of a rematch to the proceedings.

Among those rivals, there is a special story. Tap Leader, winner of the 2024 Russian Derby, will be the card for the experienced Doug Watson, one of the names most identified with Dubai in recent decades.

Thirty years ago, Watson experienced the inauguration of the World Cup from a different place, as an assistant in the veterinary room at Nad Al Sheba, celebrating the triumph of the legendary Cigar (Palace Music). Today, after nearly 25 years training in the region, he will seek his first victory in the most important race on the calendar.

“We all love this horse very much. He is honest; he always fights. He just needs a cleaner trip than last time,” said Watson.

The trainer does not hold back on the praise: “He is probably the best 2000-meter horse we’ve had here. We’ve had good milers, but this one is truly special.”

Tap Leader already won at Meydan in January over the same distance and is coming off a third-place finish behind Meydaan in a race where the trip did not favor him.

Of course, beyond the emerging contenders, the axis of the race once again passes through the big names. The defending champion Hit Show (Candy Ride) will attempt to repeat last year’s feat and join the exclusive group of back-to-back winners, as achieved by Thunder Snow (Helmet).

And as if that were not enough, Forever Young will also be on the scene, who, in addition to seeking revenge after his 2025 defeat, could become the highest-earning horse in history if he achieves victory.

Thus, the Dubai World Cup is shaped as a clash of different paths: that of the established favorite, the champion who wants to repeat, and those who seek to break through via bold decisions. Among them, Meydaan. The horse that reinvented himself… and now wants to deliver the biggest blow of all.