Less than a week after it was announced that winners of four Group 1 races from the Dubai Racing Club will earn automatic berths to the Breeders’ Cup, Japan struck again in the desert as ADMIRE DAYTONA edged out HEART OF HONOR in a nail-biting finish to the $1,000,000 Group 2 UAE Derby Sponsored by Jumeirah at Meydan. The Japanese contender’s victory sealed his place in the Kentucky Derby, continuing a growing legacy of Far Eastern dominance on Dubai World Cup night.
Under a confident ride from Christophe Lemaire, ADMIRE DAYTONA made all the running, dictating the pace from the break. The son of American dirt star Drefong came under strong pressure in the stretch, but showed true grit to hold off a late surge from HEART OF HONOR, prevailing by a short-head after a tense photo-finish.
The win marks Japan’s third consecutive triumph in the UAE Derby, following CROWN PRIDE, DERMA SOTOGAKE and last year’s standout performer FOREVER YOUNG, who later finished third in the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Yukihiro Kato confirmed that ADMIRE DAYTONA will follow a similar path, making the trip to Churchill Downs this May.
Christophe Lemaire admitted it was a close call. “Honestly, I thought I’d won but it was very tight. The Japanese horses arrive here with plenty of experience and adapt well to the Meydan dirt track. For sure, he can go to Kentucky, but that’s a very difficult race to win.”
Saffie Osborne, who created history this February as the first woman to ride a winner at Meydan, almost secured an even bigger prize aboard HEART OF HONOR for her father Jamie. The British-trained colt produced a career-best effort, pushing the winner to the line. “He’s put up a lifetime best,” said Jamie Osborne. “But this is a tough one to swallow.”
Japanese runners also claimed the next two spots. DON IN THE MOOD, last year’s winning rider Ryusei Sakai aboard, loomed large on the outside but couldn’t sustain his momentum in the final strides. Trainer Teiichi Konno noted: “He traveled well and I thought he might win. He was a bit nervous in the stalls, but he’s still improving.”
SHIN FOREVER, who missed the break, ran on for fourth, while QUEEN AZTECA impressed in fifth as the best-placed filly. The American-trained FLOOD ZONE was a disappointment, never traveling comfortably after a good start, while RAIFID and GALACTIC STAR faded after early promise.
This year’s UAE Derby delivered yet another reminder of Japan’s growing dominance in international dirt racing—and once again, all eyes will be on them when the gates fly open in Louisville.
