"U.S. - Based Horses to Vie for Dubai Jackpot
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 14, 2006
Filed at 11:42 a.m. ET
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The Americans are on their way to Dubai in record numbers to try and cash in on thoroughbred racing's richest day -- the $21.25 million Dubai World Cup meeting.
A total of 19 horses based in the United States were expected to arrive Wednesday, America's largest contingent in the 11-year-history of the event, which increased its purse money by $6 million from a year ago.
The seven-race card at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on March 25 is highlighted by the $6 million Dubai World Cup. U.S.-based horses set to run in the World Cup are Donn Handicap winner Brass Hat, trainer Todd Pletcher's Magna Graduate, 2005 World Cup third-place finisher Choctaw Nation and 2004 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Wilko.
''This is a record by far. It strengthens all the races, not just the World Cup,'' said Matt Howard, spokesman for the Dubai government-owned Dubai Racing Club.
Last year, 14 U.S.-based horses competed at the horse- and camel-racing complex amid the dunes on Dubai's outskirts. Horses training in the U.S. have won five of the 10 World Cups, including Roses in May's victory last year.
Among other U.S. standouts set to compete are Pletcher's Host and trainer Richard Mandella's The Tin Man in the $5 million Dubai Duty Free; Mustanfar and Relaxed Gesture in the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic; Captain Squire and Malibu Stakes winner Proud Tower Too in the $2 Dubai Golden Shaheen; trainer Kiaran McLaughlin's Invasor in the $2 million UAE Derby, a possible Kentucky Derby prep for some 3-year-olds; and trainer Julio Canani's Island Fashion and Shamoan in the $1 million Godolphin Mile.
The purses for the Duty Free and the Sheema Classic each jumped $3 million from last year.
Fourteen countries, including the UAE, have entries on race day. Japan expects to send nine horses.
Dubai's ruling Maktoum family funds the race -- along with local airlines and developers -- to pitch this beachfront sheikdom as one of the world's hottest luxury tourism destinations.
This year's race is bound to pay homage to the late Sheik Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai's former ruler and one of the world's top owners and breeders of thoroughbreds. Sheik Maktoum died in January at age 62.
The first arrivals are expected to start training Saturday."
If anyone is interested, I have been invited to attend by some people I met there recently. They are possible business clients and they have a box. I will be going back on the 23rd from Mumbai.
R
Full Version: U.S. - Based Horses head to Dubai
As much as I'd love to go to Dubai for the horse races, one of my favorite sports, I have plans in NYC this weekend. Let us know the race results and any interesting guests who show up. I work with someone from Dubai who is always telling me how facinating all the new development plans are and inviting me to come for a visit. The new ruler is also a major horse breeder/ trainer as is his newest wife Princess Haya of Jordan although her interest is more in the Arabian stallions. Perhaps you can update your blog with new pics (hint). How go the wedding plans? How are your family reacting?
While I was living in the Arabian Gulf (no one there calls it the Persian Gulf) just a few years ago, I spent quite a bit of time in Dubai and the other Emirates.
Dubai is a fascinating place, as is its sister city, Abu Dhabi, and I would recommend it as a vaction spot to anyone. The desert and Hajar mountains outside the city are beautiful. In a short drive, you can be in Muscat and the rest of Oman, with world renowned diving and beautiful beaches.
BTW -- if you ever have the chance to fly Emirates Airlines...do it!
[ March 15, 2006, 05:36 PM: Message edited by: PennState4Ever ]
Dubai is a fascinating place, as is its sister city, Abu Dhabi, and I would recommend it as a vaction spot to anyone. The desert and Hajar mountains outside the city are beautiful. In a short drive, you can be in Muscat and the rest of Oman, with world renowned diving and beautiful beaches.
BTW -- if you ever have the chance to fly Emirates Airlines...do it!
[ March 15, 2006, 05:36 PM: Message edited by: PennState4Ever ]
$21 Million at Stake in Dubai
By GINA RARICK
International Herald Tribune
Published: March 24, 2006
"DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has about 250 racehorses in training under his Godolphin banner, and he controls a large part of the global thoroughbred industry.
Fred Bradley has 18, all bred at his farm in Frankfort, Kentucky, and only one is a standout. On Saturday night, Fred and Sheik Mohammed will see whose horse is faster.
Sheik Mohammed has spent more money on his passion for horse racing than anyone. The $21 million he is putting on the table for the six races on the World Cup card on Saturday makes the meeting the most valuable in the world. The ruler of Dubai routinely shells out millions for top-class horses that catch his eye, which over the winter included Electrocutionist, his World Cup candidate.
Bradley has never spent more than $40,000 on a horse in his 45 years of racing, and he spent only $10,000 to produce Brass Hat, his World Cup contender. But horses are great equalizers.
"Money will not buy you horse education," Bradley said. "The first thing I tell anybody who wants to learn about horses is to grab a pitchfork. That's where you start."
It's safe to say that Sheik Mohammed did not start there. And while money can't guarantee a winner, it certainly increases the chances. The sheik's Godolphin operation won nine Group 1 races in three countries last year, and that was considered an off year; usually the Group 1 victories number in double figures.
Still, Sheik Mo, as he is referred to in the racing community, is a relative newcomer to the sport. He decided to bring thoroughbreds to train in Dubai about 15 years ago, and Godolphin was formed in 1994. His competitors on Saturday include Lord Derby, whose ancestors practically invented horse racing.
It's easy to take potshots at the new rich kid, and trainers who have been in the horse business for generations have called Sheik Mohammed's ambitions a rich man's folly. The sheik has answered his critics with persistence and a willingness to learn from missteps.
This year, for example, he decided to leave his two-year-olds in England for the winter rather than move them to Dubai, allowing the young horses to develop stronger immune systems than they would have if they had been coddled in a warm, sunny climate. " (see full article)
R
By GINA RARICK
International Herald Tribune
Published: March 24, 2006
"DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has about 250 racehorses in training under his Godolphin banner, and he controls a large part of the global thoroughbred industry.
Fred Bradley has 18, all bred at his farm in Frankfort, Kentucky, and only one is a standout. On Saturday night, Fred and Sheik Mohammed will see whose horse is faster.
Sheik Mohammed has spent more money on his passion for horse racing than anyone. The $21 million he is putting on the table for the six races on the World Cup card on Saturday makes the meeting the most valuable in the world. The ruler of Dubai routinely shells out millions for top-class horses that catch his eye, which over the winter included Electrocutionist, his World Cup candidate.
Bradley has never spent more than $40,000 on a horse in his 45 years of racing, and he spent only $10,000 to produce Brass Hat, his World Cup contender. But horses are great equalizers.
"Money will not buy you horse education," Bradley said. "The first thing I tell anybody who wants to learn about horses is to grab a pitchfork. That's where you start."
It's safe to say that Sheik Mohammed did not start there. And while money can't guarantee a winner, it certainly increases the chances. The sheik's Godolphin operation won nine Group 1 races in three countries last year, and that was considered an off year; usually the Group 1 victories number in double figures.
Still, Sheik Mo, as he is referred to in the racing community, is a relative newcomer to the sport. He decided to bring thoroughbreds to train in Dubai about 15 years ago, and Godolphin was formed in 1994. His competitors on Saturday include Lord Derby, whose ancestors practically invented horse racing.
It's easy to take potshots at the new rich kid, and trainers who have been in the horse business for generations have called Sheik Mohammed's ambitions a rich man's folly. The sheik has answered his critics with persistence and a willingness to learn from missteps.
This year, for example, he decided to leave his two-year-olds in England for the winter rather than move them to Dubai, allowing the young horses to develop stronger immune systems than they would have if they had been coddled in a warm, sunny climate. " (see full article)
R
Electrocutionist did not waffle tonight as he came from behind the number one post to steal the Dubai Cup, the worlds richest horse race.
For those of you who like the travel blog...
The Dubai Cup
R
For those of you who like the travel blog...
The Dubai Cup
R
Interesting World Cup day. Proud Tower Too represented us Californian's with pride in taking the sprint and Mandella was 2nd with The Tin Man.
US horses finished 1-5 in the sprint and historically have produced the winner of the race.
The top three horses in the World Cup ran lights out and I was surprised to see Wilko hit the board. All he does is run and has been running since a 2 year old. That is highly unusual for a TB, I wish mine did that!
Not sure if anyone follows horse racing, but I have a filly in Arizona that I'm trying to get to the ATBA Sales Stakes in May of this year. Not sure we'll get there, but she's doing well right now.
US horses finished 1-5 in the sprint and historically have produced the winner of the race.
The top three horses in the World Cup ran lights out and I was surprised to see Wilko hit the board. All he does is run and has been running since a 2 year old. That is highly unusual for a TB, I wish mine did that!
Not sure if anyone follows horse racing, but I have a filly in Arizona that I'm trying to get to the ATBA Sales Stakes in May of this year. Not sure we'll get there, but she's doing well right now.
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