The massive horses delivered within the greatest turf stakes provided on the Dubai World Cup undercard March 28 at Meydan Racecourse as reigning Longines World’s Greatest Racehorse Calandagan rallied to victory within the $6 million Dubai Sheema Traditional (G1T), following the lead of Ombudsman , who did the identical within the $5 million Dubai Turf (G1T).
Calandagan Secures Fifth Straight G1
In his seasonal debut, Calandagan took his time earlier than flashing his greatest, getting into the stretch of the two,410-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) Sheema Traditional fifth of six earlier than unleashing a strong kick that reeled in all his rivals, together with West Wind Blows , who had opened up about 3 lengths on the sector in early stretch.
In opening his 5-year-old marketing campaign with this three-quarter-length win, the Aga Khan Studs’ Gleneagles gelding landed his fifth straight group 1 or grade 1 win, with these victories coming in France, Nice Britain, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. Proprietor Princess Zahra Aga Khan famous that she would have been good with a bit much less drama.
Requested how a lot she loved watching the race unfold, Princess Zahra mentioned: “No, not a little bit of it! It was terrifying. They went sluggish however (jockey Mickael Barzalona) has been using him like that for 2 years in the past so we weren’t terrified till the ultimate flip. Now we’re not any extra.
“He has a tremendous stride and he additionally has a tremendous motor and a will to win. You may at all times inform with him, the previous few strides, he places his complete soul into it. It is superb to look at.”Join BloodHorse Each day
Coach Francis-Henri Graffard loved watching Calandagan enhance from his runner-up end on this race a 12 months in the past. He famous {that a} large secret’s that Barzalona’s understanding of the gelding has improved.
“He is an unbelievable horse, he is received his personal angle,” Barzalona mentioned. “I do know him very effectively now and he at all times provides a lot ultimately, I simply have to belief him.Â
“That is all that jockeys dream about, to seek out this type of unbelievable horse and I am very glad and really grateful for the chance to be a part of this crew as effectively.”
Whereas runner-up West Wind Blows has not gained a gaggle 1 or grade 1 race, Saturday marked his fourth group 1 putting. Reigning Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) winner Moral Diamond completed fifth.
Because the Sheema Traditional is a Breeders’ Cup Problem Collection: Win and You are In race, Calandagan is awarded a fees-paid berth within the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) at Keeneland.
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Ombudsman Impresses in Dubai Turf
Additionally making his seasonal debut Saturday on the Dubai World Cup undercard was Ombudsman, who made his first begin since a runner-up end to Calandagan in final 12 months’s Champion Stakes (G1) Oct. 18 at Ascot Racecourse. He easily rolled into his 5-year-old season by cruising previous rivals within the stretch for a 2-length win to nail down the third group 1 rating of his profession.
“It is an amazing sense of reduction. It is not straightforward popping out of a winter in England, bringing a horse in able to run,” mentioned John Gosden, who trains Ombudsman together with his son Thady. “I believe he’ll come on for the race, he was most likely coming in right here at 90%, but it surely was sufficient to get the job executed. I believed William was sensible, he mentioned, ‘I am going to give the bottom away, go vast, lose the bottom there, however I desire a clear run within the straight.’ Completely thrilled with him.”
The 5-year-old son of Night time of Thunder regarded inside himself as he rallied close to the middle of the course underneath William Buick to submit victory over group 2 winner Quddwah . Andreas Vesalius completed third. The 2 decrease placers every earned their first group 1 putting.
Picture: Dubai Racing ClubWilliam Buick celebrates Ombudsman’s Dubai Turf win at Meydan Racecourse
Buick confidently saved Ombudsman out of hassle all through, and the winner seized management in a blink as soon as requested with about 300 meters remaining.
“Congratulations Dubai. We’ve got some lovely racing, it is a pleasure to be a part of and Ombudsman confirmed there, first run of the 12 months, what he can do. It was how we hoped it could occur, very clean and, look, he will have a really thrilling 12 months forward,” Buick mentioned. “It is an honor for me to experience for Godolphin and His Highness (Sheikh Mohammed). Dubai World Cup night time is the largest night time in horse racing, so to characterize His Highness on his greatest horses and to have winners is a dream come true.”
With the win, Ombudsman earns a fees-paid journey to the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) because the Dubai Turf can be a Breeders’ Cup Problem race.
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Native Method Posts Residence Win in Al Quoz Dash
Domestically primarily based Native Method displayed dedication in securing an upset victory within the $1.5 million Al Quoz Dash (G1T).
After breaking effectively and securing the early lead within the 1,200-meter (about 6-furlong) check on the straightaway course, Native Method was headed by Japan’s Lugal within the stretch, however dug in to reclaim the lead and the victory underneath jockey Connor Beasley.
“I simply received him in a pleasant rhythm,” Beasley mentioned. “I let him slip away from the 400 meters and as soon as the Japanese horse got here to me, he was very decided.”
Native Method prevailed by a neck with World Pool favourite Lazzat ending third.
On Feb. 28, Native Method landed the primary group stakes win of his profession when he captured the Nad Al Sheba Turf Dash (G3T) over the identical route and course because the Al Quoz Dash. Beasley was aboard for that race as effectively.
Skilled by Ahmad Bin Harmash for proprietor Hamdan Harmash, the 5-year-old Too Darn Scorching gelding was bred in Nice Britain by Godolphin, Native Method is out of the stakes-winning Shamardal mare Sperry, who has produced three winners from as many starters together with group 3 winner Discovery Island .
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Fairy Glen Defeats Males in Gold Cup
After touchdown the primary group stakes of her profession final month over different females at about 1 1/8 miles, Fairy Glen efficiently stretched out in distance and defeated males in successful the three,200-meter (about 2-mile) Dubai Gold Cup (G2T).
Fairy Glen, a 5-year-old French-bred daughter of Farhh , secured essentially the most profitable win of her profession in Saturday’s $1 million race when she edged runner-up Caballo de Mar by a half-length. Al Nayyir completed third.Â
Skilled by Simon and Ed Crisford for proprietor Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Fairy Glen was bred by Godolphin. Godolphin can be the breeder of this 12 months’s Godolphin Mile (G2) winner Banishing .
Picture: Dubai Racing ClubFairy Glen wins the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Racecourse
As Sunway and Silvestre De Sousa opened some 25 lengths on the sector early and led the sector into the stretch earlier than fading, jockey Mickael Barzalona patiently dealt with Fairy Glen, who entered off a victory on the course within the Feb. 20 Balanchine (G2).
“We tried to calm down as fast as we might however truly they went a pleasant gallop and she or he was fairly glad,” Barzalona mentioned. “After they pressed the tempo midbend I believed I had a lot in hand, I did not know for a way lengthy so I waited a bit and once I requested her to select up, she picked up properly.”
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