On the morning track at Meydan, Giavellotto moves with the ease of a horse who knows this stage well. There is nothing flashy about him, no unnecessary fuss — just a seasoned campaigner going about his work, as he has done across continents and big-race nights. Yet behind that calm exterior lies one of the most admirable international performers of recent seasons.
That intrigue begins with his nickname. Around the yard, Giavellotto is affectionately known as “chicken” — a label whose origins remain lost to time. Neither Lucie Botti nor head lad Andrew Morris can quite explain it. What is clear, however, is that the name bears little resemblance to the horse’s attitude on the track.
This will mark Giavellotto’s fourth appearance on Dubai World Cup night, a record that speaks volumes about his durability. His previous visits have yielded mixed fortunes: ninth and fifth in the Gold Cup in 2023 and 2024 respectively, before a shift in distance unlocked a new dimension, producing a strong fifth-place finish in last year’s Sheema Classic. That performance came not long after the defining moment of his career — a commanding victory in the 2024 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.
For Andrew Morris, who has partnered the horse since his three-year-old days, that Hong Kong triumph remains a personal and professional high point.
“He’s been a superstar for us,” Morris reflects. “Winning in Hong Kong was special. He’s been close on other big days too — second last year could easily have gone our way with a bit more luck. He always gives everything.”
Luck, indeed, has not always been on their side in Dubai. A slipped rein in the 2024 Gold Cup cost valuable ground, yet Giavellotto still finished within striking distance. In the Sheema Classic, he had ground to make up but closed with purpose, underlining his ability to compete at elite level regardless of circumstance.
Giavellotto Dubai World Cup 2026 Challenge Builds on Proven Class
The Giavellotto Dubai World Cup 2026 assignment represents not just another international outing, but a continuation of a career defined by travel and top-level competition. According to Morris, the gelding’s temperament has matured significantly over time.
“He’s his own character,” he says. “As a younger horse he could be a bit of a handful, but now he understands his job. You just have to trust him and let him do his thing.”
That independence is balanced by a softer side. Giavellotto thrives on attention, enjoying the close care that comes with international campaigning. It is a trait noted fondly by Lucie Botti, who has been closely involved in managing his travels.
“He’s incredibly special to us,” she says. “To compete around the world and maintain his level at seven years old says everything about his soundness and attitude. Horses like him don’t come around often.”
The Botti yard is no stranger to major international success, having recorded top-level victories across Europe and the United States. Yet a win on Dubai World Cup night remains just out of reach, despite several near-misses — including placings in the Sheema Classic, Dubai Turf, and Gold Cup.
“We’ve been competitive here many times,” Lucie adds. “To finally win on this stage would mean a great deal. Dubai feels like a second home to us.”
Standing in their way this time is a formidable rival in Calandagan, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading performers. But if Giavellotto’s career has shown anything, it is that he belongs in such company.
He may carry the unlikely nickname of “chicken,” but as the Giavellotto Dubai World Cup 2026 story unfolds, there is little doubt about his courage. Season after season, race after race, he continues to show that class and character often go hand in hand.
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