The action at Meydan continued with two prestigious turf races on the Dubai World Cup card: the $5,000,000 Group 1 Dubai Turf and the $6,000,000 Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. These events attracted elite international thoroughbreds and served as thrilling precursors to the main event.
The Dubai Turf, run over 1800 meters under good track conditions, delivered a memorable upset as Japanese runner SOUL RUSH, ridden by Cristian Demuro, surged to victory in a dead-heat time of 1:45.84, narrowly missing the track record held by ROMANTIC WARRIOR. The win brought in a $2.9 million prize for SOUL RUSH’s connections and added another chapter to Japan’s rising influence in global turf racing. ROMANTIC WARRIOR, the favourite trained by Chap Shing Danny Shum and piloted by James McDonald, was just a nose behind at the wire after appearing to have the race sealed inside the final furlong. MALJOOM, trained by William Haggas and ridden by Tom Marquand, placed third, finishing 1.28 lengths back with a time of 1:46.04. GHOSTWRITER, with Rossa Ryan aboard for trainer Clive Cox, claimed fourth, 2.18 lengths behind the winner. Rounding out the top five was MEISHO TABARU, trained by Mamoru Ishibashi and ridden by veteran jockey Yutaka Take, who crossed the line 2.76 lengths off the winner.
Next came the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, contested over 2410 meters on turf. The race featured a deep field and a dominant performance from Japan’s DANON DECILE, who secured a wire-to-wire win under Keita Tosaki in a final time of 2:27.05, claiming the $3.48 million winner’s purse. Trained by Shogo Yasuda, DANON DECILE showed impressive stamina to repel all challengers. CALANDAGAN, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, ran gamely to take second, 1.28 lengths behind in 2:27.24. DUREZZA, another Japanese contender, took third under Christophe Soumillon for trainer Tomohito Ozeki, finishing 2.95 lengths behind the leader in 2:27.49. REBEL’S ROMANCE, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, was fourth at 2:27.53. GIAVELLOTTO, representing trainer Marco Botti and ridden by Oisin Murphy, claimed fifth with a time of 2:28.01.
Both Group 1 contests not only showcased Japan’s growing strength on the international turf scene but also set the stage for an electric finale at the Dubai World Cup.
