The maximum field of 16 has been declared for Saturday’s $10 million (Dh36.7m) Dubai World Cup, the world’s most valuable horse race, including Ruler Of The World, winner of the 2013 Epsom Derby for Aidan O’Brien.
No Irish-trained runner has won the 2000m contest and O’Brien’s charge will be only the second Epsom Derby winner to contest the World Cup, after High-Rise who failed to beat an opponent in 1999. But that was on dirt at Nad Al Sheba as opposed to the Meydan Tapeta.
Ruler Of The World failed to win any of his subsequent four starts and is making his all-weather debut but, prior to tomorrow’s draw, is the current favourite.
Godolphin stalwart Saeed bin Suroor, seeking a sixth winner in the race, saddles both Prince Bishop and African Story. The former was winner of Super Saturday’s concluding round of the Al Maktoum Challenge over the same course and distance as the World Cup.
Bin Suroor, who has previously saddled Dubai Millennium (2000), Moon Ballad (2003) and Electrocutionist (2006) to win both, said: “Prince Bishop has been in great form this season and really gets on well with Kieren Fallon.
“African Story was a bit unlucky behind Prince Bishop on Super Saturday and I really think he needs the 2000m trip now. Both love the Tapeta and are in good form.”
Fellow Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby is experiencing his first World Cup night runners and has both Vancouverite and Cat O’Mountain in the main event on a card the two Godolphin handlers have 17 runners between them.
Appleby said: “I am really looking forward to my first World Cup meeting and we were delighted Cat O’Mountain made the final field. They should both run well.”
No less than five winners from 2013 are back to defend their crown, including Al Mamun Monlau, winner of the Kahayla Classic, the Purebred Arabian equivalent of the World Cup.
Ridden on that occasion by Christophe Soumillon, he has the assistance of Frankie Dettori, riding in the race for the first time this year.
Trained by Jean-Francois Bernard, he is owned by Dettori’s main employer, Al Shaqab Racing (Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani).
South African Mike De Kock, who saddles Sanshaawes in the main event, also returns with Soft Falling Rain and Shea Shea, seeking repeat wins in the Godolphin Mile and Al Quoz Sprint respectively.
When winning last year’s Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, Shea Shea broke his own track record and made a winning return over the same course and distance on Super Saturday.
Soft Falling Rain was the first 3yo to win the Godolphin Mile, when badly drawn and has a much better draw this year.
De Kock said: “We have eight good runners with Shea Shea probably our strongest.”
