O reader, O race fan, can you recall the scene at Churchill Downs last November during the Breeders' Cup Classic? (Recall? I still shake my head in wonderment.) Remember how you felt when Silver Charm and Swain hooked up at the top of the stretch? (It was going to be a rerun of the '98 Dubai World Cup; the re-match for which we had been waiting months.) Let's face facts; it is the kind of high that only horse racing can provide. As the two battled it out and then passed the finish line, you could only jump up and exclaim (We wuz robbed! All spring, summer and fall I followed Swain in England and Ireland as well as Silver Charm in America. Their rematch couldn't have finished like this.) From that surge of excitement to the depths of despair. I didn't see you at the track much after that day. (I wanted to swear off racing. Honestly. I didn't want to open a Racing Form or a Racing Post for a long time.) But something happened a few weeks later, huh, when you ventured to look in the sport's section? (It was that small headline, which I almost missed, that spoke of the nominations to the 1999 Dubai World Cup.) I bet you couldn't believe some of the names mentioned. (It was just the treatment I needed. All winter long I could look forward to another quality field, but this time there was a twist: there was the possibility of some fascinating rivalries among the runners.) Okay, so the Big Dance in Dubai has the potential of assembling the best ever international field. Just remember, pal, after Dubai some of these horses might meet again, and you know what happened last time. (Yes, I remember, and I guess strange and bizarre finishes like the 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic is why we all love this sport: courageous competitors in thrilling stretch runs that sometimes cause us agony. Yet we keep looking ahead to whatever exciting races the future holds…)
DUAL FORECAST
 |
| 1998 Dubai World Cup 4th place - Malek |
Horses representing five continents comprised the 80 nominations to the Dubai World Cup (DWC) including winners of the Epsom, Kentucky, German, Italian and Chilean Derbies. Maybe the winner of the South African Derby will someday be nominated. As for the seventh continent, well, if the Godolphin enterprise finds it beneficial to have a stable in Antarctica…(Hey, don't laugh, there are thoroughbred races in the snow in St. Moritz.) Before the final list of runners was announced, it was fun envisioning the intra-race rivalries and duels such as: Real Quiet and his U.S. Triple Crown thwarter Victory Gallop; Ky. Derby winner and 1998 DWC defending champ Silver Charm versus Epsom Derby victor High Rise; Royal Ascot winners Dr. Fong, Faithful Son and Intikhab; Dubai Champion Stakes winner Alborada versus 3rd place Daylami. For good measure there was also Arc winner Sagamix; 1998 DWC 4th place Malek; 1000 Guineas winner Cape Verdi; City Honours and Sunshine Street who were 2nd and 4th respectively in the Epsom Derby; a Breeders' Cup 2nd in Banshee Breeze;1996 Ky. Derby 2nd Cavonnier; and St. Leger hero Nedawi. Quite simply, for a while it looked like we might have the field of the century.
WIN
Even before this year's field ran, the true winners are all the owners of the horses who choose to run their stars instead of retiring them to the breeding shed. Other people who deserve to be in their own winner's circle are those who work so hard to stage this great event including: Michael Osborne, John Leat, Nancy Petch, Kevin Greely, Nick Clarke, Anna Macdonald, Alastair Down, Joanne Welmans, Sue Grogan and others who put in countless hours. In short, the whole DWC experience, as told in this article, can be summed up as follows: it is a class act. In last year's DWC article ("Racing Returns to its Roots") it was noted that the biggest winner was in fact the race itself owing to its enhanced prestige on the international sporting calendar. We are now in only the 4th running of the DWC, and there can be few races such as this which have assumed such great importance and enjoyment for the fans in such a short time. A winning concept designed to anoint a "horse of the world" was introduced during DWC week. Later, we'll take a closer look at the inception of the Emirates World Series Racing Championship. While it remains to be seen how many equine globetrotters actually vie for this title, the DWC has been instrumental in this concept as it has brought off a near-impossibility: American-based horses running outside their borders. In this respect, let us pause to pay homage to Epsom Derby victor Papyrus who, in 1923, traveled across the Atlantic to run against the Ky. Derby winner Zev in a match race at Belmont Park. While the muddy going may have counted for Papyrus' defeat, it was a true sporting gesture for his owner Ben Irish and trainer Basil Jarvis to take up the challenge. How far racing has come in that we now have horses waltzing across 12 time zones to compete against one another.
PLACE
 |
| The Global Village |
Dubai is one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Lest you think it is "just a place in the desert," in winter and spring Dubai hosts some renown sporting events and a huge shopping extravaganza. In February, there are golf and tennis tournaments that attract some of biggest names in these sports, and in March, the Dubai Shopping Festival runs for about five weeks featuring discounts and bargains galore for every shopping need (as Erley Turk's wife will testify.) There is also a mini-World's Fair called the Global Village consisting of rides, musicians, numerous food stands, hundreds of stalls selling various international items, and, of course, dancers. There is also one of the world's great gold markets , a colorful water show Aqua Fantasia followed by fireworks along the Dubai Creek, and many other attractions. So if you are thinking of escaping the cold winter weather in the Caribbean, consider instead a vacation in Dubai especially if you can attend the Dubai World Cup in late March. Two internet addresses to jot down for further information are: www.dubai.com and www.dubaiworldcup.com Hint: if you plan to come, make your reservations early as hotel rooms are quickly booked.
SHOW
 |
| Arabian Nights |
A few days before the race, there is a wonderful gathering in the desert called "Arabian Nights" for invited guests. Our bus (one of dozens chartered for the occasion) travels over an hour into the desert and drops us off into "Bedouinland." We are greeted by a sort of Arabian line-dance and then shuffle our way across the sand looking at colorful vegetable and fruit stalls, racks of meat cooking, displays of wooden dhows (ships), huge pots of rice, craftsmen and women weaving baskets and making other items. In another direction, we walk by a falconer and see a band playing soothing Arabic music (belly dancers will later join them) in front of a large and beautiful sand dune. In front of the musicians, camels gracefully carry people, most of whom are on their first such rides. When we finally snap out of our Arabian reverie, we get our plates, head to the delicious buffets, and then sit down on cushions at one of the many tables in the five huge tents for our dinner. In all, it is an elegant evening held in a causal setting. At various times we stop by and chat with Bob and Beverly Lewis to wish them well with Silver Charm and their three year old Preakness hopeful Straight Man, reminisce with trainer John Gosden about his Epsom Derby winner Benny The Dip, and congratulate Malek's jockey Alex Solis on his birthday (I give our hosts credit as, yes, there is even a cake.)
MORNING LINE
Following the Arabian Nights gala, our heads hit the pillow after midnight. We get up early the next morning, however, for another great show at the Al Quoz training facility. Taking our places in the small grandstand, we are privy to morning workouts that feature forty of Godolphin's finest horses galloping on the large training track. (Kind of like a dress rehearsal for some who hold engagements either on World Cup night or later in Kentucky.) Indeed, it is a rare privilege see this display of Godolphin talent. The invited guests may be a bit bleary-eyed, but there is one man whose eyes are full of life (even though he probably got less sleep than all of us): it is our host Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid al Maktoum. He is the mastermind of the Godolphin operation. (I guess if there were a mission statement for Godolphin then it would read: to breed and to purchase at public auctions or from private owners the best horses money can buy, winter them in the warm Dubai winter climate, and head out in the spring with the goal of winning THE year's major races in Europe, America and Asia.) By now you will know if their purchases of Wordly Manner, Comeonmom, and Prado's Landing (who, as it turned out, ran poorly in the Blue Grass) were successful in capturing the Kentucky Derby. Last year, Godolphin purchased Evry racecourse in France where they will base their two year olds with trainer David Loder. The other morning workouts of note are held at Nad al Sheba which begin at 6:30 (thank goodness; I remember how in '98 it seemed to be over 90 degrees by 7:30.) U.S. trainers Bob Baffert, Dick Mandella are by the finish line awaiting their horses to gallop. The morning air is cool, the coffee is hot, and both men speak well of how their horses are prepping for the race. Behind us, men are working frantically to complete parts of the enlarged grandstand and other areas. Later, the European horses who will compete on DWC night take their exercise. There seems to be a larger media contingent this year, especially from Kentucky and England. Perhaps those from Kentucky are intrigued by the Godolphin quest for "their" Derby (as well as having an interest in the U.S. contenders.) As for the British press, they simply love covering great horse races in whatever the country.
JACKPOT
Remember back when the purse for the inaugural running of the Dubai World Cup was listed at four million dollars (yes, and the Breeders' Cup folks quickly raised the purse for the Classic to the same amount. They even said, "oh, we'd been planning this.") Well, it will be interesting to see what happens now as the DWC purse has been upped another million to become the world's richest horse race. I mean, what's going on here? A thoroughbred poker game? (I see your million, and I raise you two million more.) Say, if oil hits 30 dollars a barrel then might we see the purse at 10 million dollars?
 |
| Philip Mitchell, Bob Bafferty, Dick Mandella and S. Bin Suroor at the post position draw |
A few days before The Big Dance, we attend the post position draw in the Crown Plaza Hotel. Trainers and jockeys pose for pictures in the lobby after which the crowd moves inside the Emirates Auditorium (which is appropriately located next to the Ballroom) for the draw which is held as follows: representatives of the horses are randomly called up to select a falcon (not live) off of whose head they take a cap that reveals the post position (top that for originality.) Before the card for The Big Dance was filled in, the assembled guests were treated to the wonderful announcement that Emirates Airlines had agreed to a five-year sponsorship of the World Series Racing Championship. Various Grade/Group I races worth at least US$ 1 million will be contested around the world in Dubai, America, England, Ireland, Australia, France, Hong Kong, Germany, Canada , and Japan. The races will indeed be among the most prestigious in these countries (except their Classics), and points will be allocated on the horses final position. Bonus money will be paid to the horse, owner, trainer and jockey who amasses the most points. Incidentally, the horses who would have theoretically won in previous years are Singspiel, Pilsudski, and Swain. Further details on this ambitious project can be found on www.racingseries.com
ACROSS THE BOARD
Finally it is race day and the late afternoon temperatures are in the high 80s (down from 113 degrees in 1998.) As we sashay our way through the International Village (tickets for which actually sold out a few days previously…book early for next year), we note a greater sense of excitement for DWC day. It is not an exaggeration to say this is THE social event of the Gulf…maybe even of the whole Middle East. As in the grandstand, women are dressed in a variety of colors with many vying to outdo each other in their choice of hats. During the evening, there are competitions picking the winners of the races, the order of finish for races, for Best Hat, Best Dressed Couple, and Best Dressed Lady (Hey, Erley, you'd have had a better chance in the Best Dressed Lady competition than picking winners…what did you have, only one winner?) A glance at the race card brings a sense of deja vu as three winners from the previous year are back. The race for Arabian horses is (again) won by Alanuud who has earned the sobriquet "The Queen of Sheba."
 |
| Fruits of Love - winner of the Dubai Turf |
The Dubai Turf Classic features St. Leger winner Nedawi, but British-based Fruits of Love runs him down in the final strides to earn a well-earned victory with German hopeful Caitano in 3rd (hopefully trainer Mark Johnston's success will encourage other European trainers to contest the race in future years.) Mudallel attempts to win his second consecutive Nad al Sheba Sprint, however, Ramp and Rave piloted by Gary Stevens scores an impressive win on what turned to be a night of upsets. As for the Nad al Sheba Mile, Frankie Dettori gets his only win of the night aboard Lend A Hand and promptly treats the crowd to one of his customary flying dismounts (yeah, I've seen him do those, but nobody will ever do a better flying dismount than the jock who originated it: Angel Cordero.)
DAILY DOUBLE
 |
| The pre-race festivities |
In a change from previous years, the two feature races of the night are in the middle of the card. The Dubai Duty Free and the Dubai World Cup are preceded by a colorful and musical spectacle involving white horses, colorful flags, a marching band, what sounds to be a children's chorus, and dancers (were they the same guys in the desert? I mean there are dancers everywhere you look in this country.) Nine runners show up to contest the Dubai Duty Free; it is slightly disappointing that there is only one runner who is not based in Dubai. Even though last year's winner Annus Mirabilis does not show up to defend his title, his front running tactics are adopted by Altibr who goes on for a wire-to-wire victory. Anytime a horse can do this, especially over a mile and a quarter, credit must be given to the jockey for his excellent judgement of pace. In this case, we applaud Richard Hills, who rode Altibr (which means gold ore) on three previous occasions, for his masterful work. Incidentally, back in February, Altibr broke the 9 furlong track record at Nad al Sheba; tonight his winning time nearly equals that of the DWC.
And so the stage is set for The Big Dance. In the days leading up to the big race, the various trainers, owners and jockeys have all expressed great confidence in their chances. Most in the crowd expect Derby winners Silver Charm and High Rise to be battling out the finish with Victory Gallop running fastest at the end (it recalls the '98 B.C. Classic with Silver Charm and Swain with Awesome Again flying past them.) The atmosphere becomes more tense with the horses out on the track for the post parade; the grace and movement of their legs call to mind an "equine Riverdance." It is true that this year's race lacked the large fields of previous years, but the overall quality of the horses is deeper (true, but there is something puzzling about trainer Saeed Bin Suroor saddling four of the eight horses.)
 |
| Richard Hills and Almutawakel |
As expected, Italian Derby winner Central Park runs out to the early lead as his role as pacemaker. Malek is second, Silver Charm is third, and the late running Victory Gallop is towards the rear. As Central Park takes the field around the far turn into the long stretch, two observations become readily apparent: Silver Charm is losing, rather than gaining, ground on the leaders and High Rise is showing no run at all. Alas, the battle involving the winners of the two most famous Derbys will have to wait another day. (I hope it doesn't take another 76 years.) As if in a relay race, Central Park relinquishes the baton to his stablemate Almutawakel in mid-stretch who goes on for the ¾ length win. Malek runs strongly throughout the race but can never find the extra gear needed to give trainer Dick Mandella his first DWC victory (his record now stands with three seconds, a third, and a fourth.) Victory Gallop, who very well might have won the '98 Ky. Derby with a better racing position around the first turn, charges up for the third spot ahead of Central Park with Daylami in fifth. Far back are Silver Charm, Running Stag and High Rise. And so, for the second year in a row we are witness to both an exciting race and a daily double of sorts as Richard Hills, aboard Almutawakel, captures both ends of Dubai's two most prestigious races (last year Gary Stevens did the honors.) After the race there is a wild celebration to greet not only the winning horse, but also his owner Sheikh Hamdan al-Maktoum and trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
 |
| The Dubai World Cup Trophy |
Up on the winning podium, Sheikh Mohammad is looking pleased as ever at his brother's success; he is later to reveal in an interview that Almutawakel previously won the "trial" of the Maktoum hopefuls (did you ever notice how we always learn these things after the race?) For trivia buffs, the nearest translation Erley Turk can come up with for the winner's name is "he who depends on" as in "he who depends on God." Finally Erley Turk tips his hat to British journalists Derek Thompson for touting longshot Almutawakel and Geoffrey Faber , while writing about the Emirates racing scene in Pacemaker, for noting that "offspring of Machiavellian appear to adapt well to the dirt surface." No points for guessing who the winner's sire is. (Hint: although the sire is neither Nureyev nor Nijinsky, there are traces of Native Dancer in the sire line.)
FUTURE BOOK
A year ago we never thought we'd see the top two race each other again. (I know what you're going to say and forget it. This year the Breeders' Cup, for which Malek is not nominated, is at Gulfstream and the European horses never do well there. Remember the "dead certs" in Zilzal and Arazi?) Yes, but maybe Godolphin and their super trainer Saeed Bin Suroor are planning ways to overcome the November heat and humidity in Florida? (Well, let me first see how successful the training methods are for their Ky. Derby hopefuls and how they overcome the obstacles like lack of prep races and an unfamiliarity with huge crowds.) Enough of that, at least you have to be excited at the new Racing World Series (well, the makeup of the races necessitate that you have a horse who can run well on dirt and turf. Also, the success of this will depend on encouraging people like Ben Irish and Basil Jarvis [of Papyrus' fame] to take chances in racing their stars in other countries and continents. It appears that Godolphin are the only ones who can field the numbers and quality of horses to dance in all the global dances; I predict four of the first five "world champions" will carry their colors.) Fair enough, for now let's give this year's DWC heroes some rest and then see how Almutawakel, Malek, Victory Gallop and the others fare in their upcoming races. (And whatever happens in the rest of the racing season, you can bet that this November I'll be eagerly awaiting the list of nominated horses for the 2000 Dubai World Cup and then dreaming of who might show up for the next Big Dance in Dubai.)
Click Here
or send an email to
joynext@field-galleries.co.uk
to be notified when the next issue
of the magazine is published
If you wish to get in touch about another matter then please use the contact form
